Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined climate experts, environmental leaders, and marine researchers this week at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles to discuss the evolving impact of January’s wildfires on the region’s coastlines and oceans. The roundtable focused on the advancement of new blue technology and emerging data on wildfire-related environmental damage.
The meeting, held at AltaSea’s ocean-focused innovation campus, highlighted the City’s efforts to address both immediate environmental threats and long-term climate goals. Mayor Bass underscored the importance of protecting marine ecosystems as part of Los Angeles’ broader climate strategy.
“Protecting our coastlines and oceans is critical to the recovery from January’s wildfires as well as pursuing our climate goals here in Los Angeles,” said Mayor Bass. “I want to thank AltaSea for bringing together these industry experts to share the important work and research they are doing.”
Participants in the roundtable included representatives from organizations such as Heal the Bay, the Natural Resources Defense Council, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, USC Sea Grant, Kelp Ark, and the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles. Discussions addressed topics including marine biodiversity, kelp forest resilience, and potential long-term effects on water quality and ocean health.
Terry Tamminen, President and CEO of AltaSea, welcomed the return of Mayor Bass to the campus. “We are so grateful to have Mayor Bass and Executive Director Seroka join us again to see how AltaSea stands proud as a center for innovation in Los Angeles,” said Tamminen. “We are dedicated to bringing together climate experts and innovators to protect our coastlines and oceans for the future.”
Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, emphasized the importance of ocean-based innovation. “AltaSea is leading the way on groundbreaking ocean-based solutions that is helping the City build a greener future,” said Seroka. “The Port of LA is showing that we are a place of both business and innovation.”
Following the roundtable, Mayor Bass toured AltaSea’s educational programs, which include marine-based STEM curriculum and workforce development initiatives aimed at preparing students for careers in ocean science and sustainability.
AltaSea, which opened in May 2024, is a public-private partnership transforming 35 acres of historic dockland into a hub for scalable ocean climate solutions. The facility brings together academic institutions, government agencies, and private industry to drive innovation in marine research and environmental sustainability.
