Draft:AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles

AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles (commonly referred to as AltaSea) is public-private ocean research facility located at the Port of Los Angeles. Established in 2014, it is non-profit, marine-science organization focused on advancing marine research, and marine-related education initiatives.

History
Founded in 2014, AltaSea was incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization. Originally envisioned by former port director Geraldine Knatz and and former Annenberg Foundation executive director Leonard Aube, the project would continue to be developed with a seed grant from the Annenberg Foundation. In honor of the work Aube did to help found AltaSea, a portion of road near the facility has been renamed "Leonard Aube Way". Over the years, the AltaSea has become a platform that facilitates ocean research and promotes innovative solutions for marine conservation and education.

In 2016, AltaSea unveiled architectural renderings for its new 35-acre campus designed by architectural firm Gensler.

Tim McOsker served as CEO from February 1, 2018 to January 1, 2022 when he stepped down to run for city council. In December 2021, it was announced that Terry Tamminen would be joining AltaSea as their new President & CEO. Tamminen previously served as CalEPA secretary and chief policy advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger, CEO of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, and founder of the Santa Monica BayKeeper.

In 2022, USC announced the opening of a 6,000 square-foot Sustainable Seaweed Aquaculture Lab at the AltaSea campus. The lab focuses on regenerative aquaculture, as well as other new technologies such as alternative livestock feeds from the ocean.

In June 2023, AltaSea broke ground on a new $30 million project, renovating three 100+ year old historic warehouses and building their Center for Innovation. The Center for Innovation is expected to be completed by 2024.

Mission and Objectives
AltaSea primarily serves as a both a research facility and an educational institution. The center seeks to place Los Angeles on the map as the "Silicon Valley of the sea".

AltaSea envisions using the potential of the ocean to pioneer solutions for some of humanity's most pressing challenges. These challenges include climate change mitigation, ensuring energy sustainability, and addressing global food security concerns. Simultaneously, AltaSea works to educate students in the LA area on oceanography and marine science.

The center is primarily dedicated to three key areas of study: aquaculture, sustainable ocean-based energy technology, and underwater robotics and exploration technology.

Facilities
AltaSea is located on at the "Angels Gate" entrance to the Port of Los Angeles, one of the busiest seaports for international trade in the Western Hemisphere. AltaSea has 35 acres of land that includes 3,000 feet of linear dock space, circulating seawater, and marine life support systems. Inside the campus' four warehouses, there are 225,000 square feet of laboratories, research facilities, and hands-on educational and job skills development areas. These spaces support research, development, education, and collaboration in marine sciences. AltaSea's warehouse facility is outfitted with a 180,000 square foot solar panel array on the roof, with the final panel being installed by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in April 2023.

Tenants
AltaSea hosts ocean-research and technology companies and organizations on its campus. Tenants include Dr. Robert Ballard's Ocean Exploration Trust, Carlsbad Aquafarm, Beneficial State Bank, Braid Theory, Eco Wave Power, USC Seaweed Aquaculture Lab, California Fish & Wildlife, and RCAM Technologies.

AltaSea also houses several research vessels, including the 211-foot EV Nautilus, the Autonomous spaceport drone ship , and the National Geographic Sea Lion vessel.

= Funding and Legislative Advocacy = In 2021, The State of California and the Port of Los Angeles announced $12 million in funding for AltaSea to pay for the construction of their new ocean research and development center. California State Senator Steven Bradford and State Assemblyman Patrick O'Donnell secured $6 million in state funding to match the Port of Los Angeles' $6 million commitment.

In March of 2022, California Senator Alex Padilla announced a $600k grant to AltaSea for ocean STEM education programs. In July 2023, AltaSea received a $1 million check presented by Congresswoman Nanette Barragan for their ocean STEM labs.

In October 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AltaSea's sponsored legislation, SB 605, into law. The legislation mandates a comprehensive examination and evaluation of wave and tidal energy prospects along California's expansive 840-mile coastline. The bill received unanimous approval in both the California State Senate and Assembly.

= Educational Partnerships = More than 30 universities are involved with AltaSea, including the University of California, Los Angeles; University of Southern California; Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego; and the Southern California Marine Institute.

USC has established an educational partnership with AltaSea to conduct research in aquaculture, with a focus on strengthening the resilience of farmed oysters, mussels, and giant kelp to support the food supply. This collaboration has led to the inauguration of new aquaculture laboratories at AltaSea's San Pedro facility, aimed at sustainable utilization of ocean resources and addressing climate change's impact on marine ecosystems, with support from federal grants and philanthropic contributions.

AltaSea and the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering's Institute for Carbon Management signed an agreement to bring a carbon capture barge at AltaSea's Port of Los Angeles campus, showcasing UCLA's SeaChange technology.

AltaSea also partners with Santa Monica College to provide faculty support for its Aquaculture Certificate program. The program seeks to help students enter emerging blue economy industries.

In March 2023, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife opened a field office at AltaSea's San Pedro campus to assist students from historically marginalized communities to become more involved in ocean conservation, and to help enter them into blue economy careers.

AltaSea also has a set of programs aimed to immerse children and adults in the importance of oceans and ocean science, including work with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the LA Harbor, Wilmington's Strength Based Community Change (SBCC), the Watts Entrepreneur Education Center, and LAUSD.