Clean Boating
Engaging SoCal’s 200,000 plus registered boaters on pollution prevention and environmental boating laws makes a difference in our waterways.
Dedicated to the Reduction of the Ocean Pollution and the Upswell of Ocean Stewardship from the Recreational Boating Community
With four million boaters, California has one of the highest levels of recreational boating in the United States. This large volume of recreational activity in our waterways can come at a cost. Boat-based pollutants such as sewage, used oil, household hazardous waste, marine debris, aquatic invasive species, and emerging contaminants impair our waterways. To protect the water and wildlife, we work to eliminate sources of pollution.
To further protect wildlife and conserve our waterways, California established the nation’s first statewide Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. This network acts as a series of interconnected ocean parks where fishing and other activities are limited or prohibited. Since 1996, The Bay Foundation (TBF) has worked to engage boaters and fishermen to support pollution reduction. This local effort has expanded statewide in recent years and now includes outreach and education on the MPAs.
There are many free resources provided to boaters to support their personal efforts to keep our waters clean and full of life. Check out the resources below!
Project Highlights
Receive a FREE Clean Boating Kit
If you’re a recreational boater, simply complete a brief clean boating quiz to receive a boating kit full of boating pollution prevention tools. Find the quiz here!
Become a Dockwalker
Do you enjoy spending time around the harbor? Do you like talking to peers about boating and how we can safeguard California’s waterways? Join us, and a community of over 500 of your peers, to become a certified Dockwalker volunteer.
Dockwalkers are volunteer environmental educators who engage recreational boaters to be environmental stewards. They conduct outreach and distribute valuable California Boater Kits, which are full of useful tools to help boaters prevent ocean pollution.
The Dockwalker program is led by the California Coastal Commission and DBW’s Boating Clean and Green Program, and is implemented in partnership with TBF. Look out for 2023 Dockwalker Trainings!
Recycle Your Fishing Line
Recycle fishing lines to protect wildlife and boats!
Check out the “Recycle Fishing Lines” guide to get the simple instructions you need to make your own portable recycling container and be an ocean steward. Take your responsible fishing one step further and learn about Marine Protected Areas and aligned resources available to you as well.
Get a Free Southern California Boater’s Guide
This Guide provides comprehensive information about Southern California’s harbors from Santa Barbara to San Diego, including navigational aids, how to get a guest slip, locations of waste disposal and fueling facilities, local rules and ordinances, custom harbor maps, and environmentally sound boating tips.
Download the free digital version, or if you’d like a printed copy please fill out and send in this order form.
Receive a FREE Clean Boating Kit
If you’re a recreational boater, simply complete a brief clean boating quiz to receive a boating kit full of boating pollution prevention tools. Find the quiz here!
Become a Dockwalker
Do you enjoy spending time around the harbor? Do you like talking to peers about boating and how we can safeguard California’s waterways? Join us, and a community of over 500 of your peers, to become a certified Dockwalker volunteer.
Dockwalkers are volunteer environmental educators who engage recreational boaters to be environmental stewards. They conduct outreach and distribute valuable California Boater Kits, which are full of useful tools to help boaters prevent ocean pollution.
The Dockwalker program is led by the California Coastal Commission and DBW’s Boating Clean and Green Program, and is implemented in partnership with TBF. Look out for 2023 Dockwalker Trainings!
