CA AB2697

Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish and administer a Kelp Restoration and Resilience Program by January 1, 2022, funded through bonds, legislative appropriations, or other public and private sources.

Program goals include supporting kelp recovery and preservation in all California coastal areas, conducting statewide monitoring of kelp forest health using aerial surveys, and supporting research on kelp and sea urchin dynamics.

Mandates the Director establish a Kelp Restoration Science Advisory Committee by January 1, 2022, composed of experts from the department, Ocean Protection Council, nonprofits, universities, commercial sea urchin operations, and other qualified researchers to advise on implementation.

Requires the program to consider multiple cobenefits including improving commercial fisheries, water quality, reducing ocean acidification, and incorporating carbon dioxide removal and long-term carbon sequestration.

Committee must identify kelp restoration sites and refuge areas, assess research gaps, make monitoring recommendations, and assist state and local agencies in updating policies to support kelp restoration efforts.