The endowment is governed by the Board of Directors of the California Endowment for Marine Preservation, consisting of the following members:
- (a) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency.
- (b) The Secretary for Environmental Protection.
- (c) One member of the public appointed by the Governor.
- (d) One member, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, who shall be an expert in marine fisheries from the University of California, the California State University, or other accredited university.
- (e) One member, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, who shall be from a nonprofit public interest organization with an emphasis on marine conservation or sustainable consumptive recreational activities.