Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grassroots marine conservation organization founded and based in Orange County, California, since 2002. ODA is committed to protecting Southern California's near shore rocky reef and seabed ecosystems from dangerous man-made objects, focusing on derelict and abandoned commercial fishing gear posing serious risks to numerous species, including marine mammals. After preparing our first boat for the unique mission, ODA's earnest on-water SCUBA activities began in the summer of 2004, complementing our land-based outreach and education programs.
Animals, such as lobsters, found trapped alive are carefully liberated by ODA, thus provided a new chance to properly live and breed. We have a small fleet of two boats. Our lead boat, "The Garibaldi", has been outfitted to support a dive team that works to remove this lost commercial fishing gear from our reefs and liberate animals that may be trapped by the ghost gear.
Another goal for ODA is to assist the California Department of Fish and Game in monitoring aspects of their studies of populations of fish and invertebrates.