The California Ocean Protection Council gathered at the Wharfinger Building Thursday to discuss ocean-related research, projects and environmental issues affecting the state.

The council focuses on the protection and management of coastal and ocean resources, in addition to working to implement Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Ocean Action Plan issued in 2004.

“All things that are ocean ultimately come through to the protection council,” said Sandy Cooney, deputy secretary for communications for the California Resources Agency.

The council comprises Secretary for Resources and council Chairperson Mike Chrisman, Secretary for Environmental Protection Linda Adams, Lt. Gov. and State Lands Commission Chairperson John Garamendi, state Assemblymember Pedro Nava, state Sen. Darrell Steinberg, Golding Group Chief Executive Officer and President Susan Golding and Port of Los Angeles Director Geraldine Knatz.

The council discussed a number of items Thursday, including the status of the Klamath River dams negotiations, fish and water supplies in the state’s coastal rivers and streams, and issues affecting salmon throughout the state.

Other topics of discussion included California Sea Grant programs.

Additionally, the council opted to appropriate $7.5 million for the California Seafloor Mapping Program for the 2007-08 fiscal year, and $7.5 million for a subsequent year.

The project will be a collaboration of various agencies focused on data collection, sampling and map production to be used to guide ocean-management decisions.