Help Establish a New National Marine Sanctuary
By Mark J. Palmer
The Biden Administration has revived a plan to establish the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, a 7,000 square-mile area along the California coastline, linking up the existing Monterey Bay NMS and Channel Islands NMS.
The proposal encompasses 156 miles of California’s coastline, from just south of the Big Sur region, where the Monterey Bay NMS ends, to just south of Point Concepcion. Included are several offshore reefs, deep canyons, and seamounts. Sub-tropical waters meet and mix with northern colder currents swirling around Point Concepcion, providing an especially rich marine food chain.
Humpback, blue and gray whales are common, as are a variety of dolphins and seals, plus the southern sea otter.
The original plan was submitted in 2015 by the Northern Chumash Tribal Council of California. The sanctuary would prohibit offshore oil drilling leasing and damaging seismic testing for oil reserves. It would also safeguard whales, dolphins, and many marine fish species, while honoring the heritage of the Chumash people and preserving many native cultural sites.
Map of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Courtesy of NOAA.
What You Can Do:
Comments are now being accepted by the Office of Marine Sanctuaries, and you can help establish the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary by submitting comments either online or via the mail.
Deadline for comments is January 31st, 2022.
Urge the Biden Administration and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish the sanctuary, with the largest proposed boundaries to protect as much of the coast and ocean as possible. Urge a ban on offshore oil exploration and drilling for this important ecosystem for the final sanctuary designation.
Submit Comments Online:
Go to the Federal Register website and type your comments on the form.
Submit Comments By Mail:
Mr. Paul E. Michel, Regional Policy Coordinator
NOAA Sanctuaries West Coast Regional Office
99 Pacific Street, Building 100F
Monterey, CA 93940
For further information on the Sanctuary proposal, you can visit the NOAA information page.
**************************************
The International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute needs your support! Your donations fuel our nonprofit work to protect whales, dolphins, and their ocean homes around the world. Please give generously. Thank you!
