Dockside

This special Dockside Podcast episode breaks down what to expect from this year’s El Niño—higher sea levels, stronger storms, bigger waves, and increased flooding risks across California. Experts from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the California Coastal Commission, and California State Parks join us to explain the science, the engineering concerns, and the real‑world preparations communities should take before winter hits. This episode will help you stay informed and stay safe.

Resources:

https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/el-nino

https://www.coastal.ca.gov/climate/extreme-weather/el-nino/

El Niño Preparedness: Recommendations for Boaters (PDF)

El Niño Preparedness: Recommendations for Marinas & Boating Facilities (PDF)

FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Viewer

https://www.coastal.ca.gov/kingtides/

This episode explores the US Coast Guard’s internal transition from traditional pyrotechnic flares to electronic Visual Distress Signaling Devices (eVDSDs) and highlights California’s decade of leadership on expired marine flare disposal. Experts from state agencies, counties, and the Coast Guard discuss safety performance, environmental risks, new statewide data, and what boaters need to know as distress‑signal technology evolves.

To help us unpack all of this, we were joined by:

• Doug Leavell, Recreational Boating Program Specialist, US Coast Guard Southwest,
• Vivian Matuk, California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission Environmental Boating Program Manager,
• Virginia McCormick, Senior Associate with the California Product Stewardship Council
• Bruce Fritz, chief of the Alameda County Health Household Hazardous Waste Division, , and
• Kathy Rico/Wall, Senior Planner with Marin County Household Hazardous Waste

Resources

• https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/marineflares
• Upcoming marine flare collection events
• Join the listserv to get updates about the upcoming marine flares collection events.
• Flare video: https://youtu.be/eTwvp0Kbil4?si=b4KdpURuFZqmhtVa
• US Coast Guard Boating Safety
• ABCs of California Boating Laws

California’s salmon are making a comeback — and we’re diving into how it’s happening. California Department of Fish and Wildlife hatchery expert join us to explain the innovations, monitoring, and on‑the‑groundwork behind this year’s encouraging numbers. A clear, grounded look at the science and strategy supporting salmon recovery.

Additional Resources

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6f45105f8a10460286db5b20582d344e
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Hatcheries

In this episode we talk to Merijn Tinga — the Plastic Soup Surfer who paddles thousands of kilometers to fight plastic pollution. From crossing the North Sea on a board made of bottles to using AI and citizen science to map waste, Merijn turns extreme adventures into real change. This episode dives into his missions, his data‑driven activism, and what you can do to protect the waters you love.

Additional Resources:

• https://www.plasticsoupsurfer.org/
• California Coastal Cleanup Day
• Clean Swell App

In this episode we will talk with the International Bird Rescue about what they do, services they offer, their history, important contact information for the public and also about the widespread starvation event affecting Brown Pelicans, Brandt's Cormorants, and Common Murres.

Additional Resources:

• International Bird Rescue website: https://www.birdrescue.org/
• 1-866-SOS-BIRD (866-767-2473) is the emergency toll-free Help Line managed by International Bird Rescue. It is designed to assist the public with aquatic birds, seabirds, and other wildlife in distress across California and beyond.

Olympian, world‑class coach, and newly appointed Director of Olympic Sailing, Molly Vandemoer, joins our podcast for a deep and energizing conversation about grit, leadership, and the future of American sailing. From her early days on the water to representing the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics, Molly shares the moments that shaped her, the mentors who guided her, and the lessons she now brings to the national program.

We explore youth development, accessibility, environmental stewardship, and what it means to build a culture that supports both elite performance and lifelong love of the sport. With the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles on the horizon, Molly offers a candid look at the opportunities ahead for Team USA — and the vision she hopes to bring to the next generation of sailors.

US Sailing – The National Governing Body For the Sport of Sailing

Millions of gallons of motor oil are used annually in California, but what happens if it gets dirty and drained? Today we are going to learn why "used oil" is an environmental problem as well as a useful resource in this episode. We'll look at how recycling operates, what new items are emerging, and the free programs that assist Californians in closing the loop, from auto shops and marinas to do-it-yourself changes. We'll explain how oil recycling fits into California's larger climate picture—and why it matters for everyone—with insights on legislation, innovation, and future objectives. Let’s welcome Senior Environmental Scientist Emily Wang with CalRecycle.

Additional Resources:

http://irecyclesmart.com/

Earth911 - More Ideas, Less Waste

In this episode, We will learn about the non-profit California Trout, which works to revitalize waters for resilient wild fish and a better California. We will learn what they do to advocate for a future where freshwater ecosystems flourish and native fish thrive, leaving a legacy of clean water and healthy rivers for current and future generations. Today, we will talk with Redgie Collins, Director of Legal and Government Affairs of CalTrout and Damon Goodman, Mount Shasta -Klamath Regional Director of CalTrout

Additional Resources:
CalTrout https://caltrout.org/

In this episode, we visit with the State Lands Commission about their behind-the-scenes role in conserving public lands, regulating maritime activity, and preventing invasive species from entering our waterways. Discover how this agency helps balance global trade with environmental protection.

Resources:
https://www.slc.ca.gov/misp/

https://westernregionalpanel.org/

https://www.westernais.org/ballast-water

Previous Dockside Episode, The Golden Mussel: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-9r6qx-18be560

In this episode, we will be joined by Kathi George, Director of Cetacean Conservation Biology and Adam Ratner, Director of Conservation Engagement with The Marine Mammal Center. We are going to dive deep into the Center’s history, mission, and services; species rescued, rehabilitated and released; and common reasons marine mammals are admitted to the center. We will also learn about data collected by the Center and the tools and proper steps you can use to report marine mammals that are in distress, sick or injured.

Resources

• http://Marinemammalcenter.org
• To report sick, injured or abandoned marine mammals, call our hotline:
415-289-7325 (SEAL)
• California Wildlife Reporting Hotlines
• Sharing the Road with Whales & All Marine Mammals

In this episode, we will be joined by Cyril Derreumaux, a kayaker, extreme athlete, three times world record holder and the first person to complete solo kayak crossings of both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. We will discuss his preparation, experiences, challenges faced, and how he ensured his safety on such challenging journeys. Advocating to “live life to the fullest,” Cyril hopes his adventures inspire others to find their own dream and go after it.

In this bilingual episode (Spanish starting at 26:42), we will be joined by Jose Gonzalez the founder of Latino Outdoors in 2013, and current Boating and Waterways Commission Commissioner and Equity Officer for the East Bay Regional Park District, who will be sharing with us information about inclusive outdoor recreation through his work on Latino Outdoors and some clean and safe boating recommendations.

In this episode, we will be joined by Joanna Andrade (California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways Boating Safety Unit Manager), Sgt. Steve Barber (California State Parks), and Sgt. Travis Vessells (San Bernardino County Sheriff) who will be sharing with us information on California recreational boating incidents. Learn how to report an incident, what’s the most common type and cause of boating incidents in our state, how to be safe on the water, and much more.

https://www.boatcalifornia.com/

In this episode, we will be joined by Jonathan Thompson (California State Lands Commission), Thomas Jabusch (California Department of Fish and Wildlife), Drew Gantner (Solano County Water Agency), and Cara Roderick (California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways). These experts will be talking about the Golden Mussels (GM), the new freshwater invasive mussel for California. We are going to learn about the GM’s natural habitat, when and where it got here and where it is currently found in the state. We are also going to learn about the mussel’s biology, characteristics and its potential environmental and economic impacts. In addition, we will be learning about the state’s efforts to prevent its further spread, and best management practices for water users.

Important Websites:

• Golden Mussel Information: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Golden-Mussel
https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28996

• Watercraft Inspections in California and Vessel Restrictions: dbw.parks.ca.gov/inspections
• Report Golden Mussels https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/716f884fb2b34bd8a905bff392719e12
• Mussel Fee Sticker http://www.dmv.ca.gov/musselfee

In this episode, we will be joined by Don Anderson (District Captain for the District 11 Northern Region) and Susan Webb (Commander for the Greater Sacramento America's Boating Club-US Power Squadrons) and we’ll be talking about the origin of each of these organizations, their mission, roles and services they provided to recreational boaters and water enthusiasts.

Websites
America's Boating Club (US Power Squadrons) http://www.usps.org
US Coast Guard Auxiliary: https://www.cgaux.org/

In this episode we talk with Weston Boyles, the Founder and Executive Director of Rios to Rivers and Danielle Rey Frank, the Director of Development and Community Relations of Rios to Rivers. Rios to Rivers inspires the protection of rivers worldwide by investing in underserved and Indigenous youth who are intimately connected to their local waters and supporting their development as the next generation of environmental stewards. Today we will learn about the largest dam removal in history and the Indigenous Youth who will make the first descent down the newly freed river.

In this episode, we will be joined by Claire Combredet from The Bay Foundation, John Kappeler, Senior Engineer for the City of Newport Beach in Orange County, as well as George Hylkema, who inspects and maintains Newport’s boat sewage pumpout units. We’ll be talking about the Clean Vessel Act and more broadly on the importance of sewage pumpout and dump stations in California. We will cover what pumpout and dump stations are, why they are essential to maintaining good water quality and what The Bay Foundation’s role is in championing this infrastructure and assisting with their upkeep and use. We will also discuss with George and John the importance of using the pumpout stations, challenges as well as best practices for boaters and marina managers.

Learn from Deborah Holmes with the California State Parks Division of Boating & Waterways Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) Program, Andrew Kershen, Staff Attorney with the California State Lands Commission, and with Sergeant Samuel H. Flores, Special Operations Division with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office about abandoned vessels in California, why they’re a problem, options the state has to assist public agencies and boaters in preventing recreational vessels from being abandoned in our waterways and when they are abandoned, to assist with their disposal, and much more.

In this episode, we will talk with Erika Delemarre, the Climate Resiliency Program Manager for California State Parks and Calla Allison, the Founder and Director of the Marine Protected Area Collaborative Network. We’ll be discussing the largest ecologically connected network of marine protected areas, or what we call “MPAs” in the world. This network includes 124 marine protected areas and 14 special closures along the length of the California Coast. In this episode we will explore tips for responsible recreation in MPAs, learn about different MPA designations and regulations, and how you support a healthy ocean for generations to come.

Resources:

MPA Collaborative https://www.mpacollaborative.org/ https://wildlife.ca.gov/Enforcement/CalTIP
Californians Turn in Poachers and Polluters: 1-888-334-CALTIP (888-334-2258)
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs

The effects of boating under the influence can be fatal and heartbreaking for all involved. In this episode, we talk with Rhonda Campbell, California Victim Services Manager with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Deputy John Canepa with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department about boating under the influence (BUI). We’ll learn about how BUI differs from driving under the influence (DUI), some important and shocking statistics, penalties, and much more.