The conference focused on management, policy, assessment and communication regarding marine and ocean issues. It was organized by California's Ocean Protection Council, Natural Resources Agency and Environmental Protection Agency.

Underscoring the role strong science plays in developing sound policy and informed management, the panels included 40 researchers from 18 universities. Among them were CSUMB professors James Lindholm and Rikk Kvitek. Dr. Lindholm, Rote Distinguished Professor of Marine Science and Policy at CSUMB, was part of a session that addressed management plans for overfished populations and how to assess the indirect impacts of various fishing practices.

Dr. Kvitek, director of the university's Seafloor Mapping Lab, made a presentation on California's seafloor mapping program as a model for collaboration and partnership.