Imagine a world without fish

It's closer than you think, according to a new documentary now showing in California. End of the Line premiered at Sundance earlier this year and is narrated by long-time ocean advocate Ted Danson. The film shows the devastating effects of overfishing on the world's oceans. To find a screening near you, visit this site.

Attend a south coast public workshop to help shape ocean protection plans

You can hardly open the newspaper these days without reading about problems with the world’s oceans—fish populations are dwindling, sea level’s rising, and the water is heating up! Fortunately, scientists and governments alike are turning their attention to the other 70% of the planet, recognizing that ocean health is vital to life on Earth.

President Obama declared June World Oceans Month, and formed a task force to develop a national ocean policy. California, Oregon, and Washington are working together to restore waters off the West Coast.

And a critical effort is happening in Southern California as well, where stakeholders are mapping out an underwater parks network to protect sea life and habitats. Implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act is about half complete, and the public is invited to learn about ocean protection plans for the south coast at community workshops being held June 29 through July 13, from Carlsbad to Santa Barbara.

Please consider attending one of these public meetings to show your support for ocean protection. We have just one chance to get this right, and we need your help!

Governor says ocean health is a state priority

California recognizes the urgent need for an ocean health plan. Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman wrote a memo this week confirming that the Marine Life Protection Act remains a priority for the state. Our ocean supports a diverse multi-billion dollar tourist economy, so protecting its future health is a good investment. Read more about the state's plans to implement this important law in the Los Angeles Times.

MPAs boost coastal economies

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released a new report last week on the economic benefits of marine protected areas. Case studies from Hawaii, Fiji, the Philippines, and England showed that setting aside key ocean areas can help boost fishery and tourism revenues.

“These case studies show that closing selected marine areas to fishing or other extractive uses makes economic sense,” says Carl Gustaf Lundin, Head of IUCN’s Global Marine Programme, which compiled the studies. “Marine protected areas, if well managed, help fish stocks replenish, which then increase yields in neighbouring areas and improve the economic situation of the local communities.”

Less than one per cent of the world’s oceans are currently protected, compared to about 12 percent of the land surface. The State of California is working to protect state waters with a network of underwater parks. If the IUCN study is any indication, California's new marine parks should provide long-term ecological and economic benefits for coastal communities.

State leader voices support for compromise plan

Assemblymember Nancy Skinner wrote an article on the urgent need to protect our ocean. She emphasized that environmental and economic health of our state go hand in hand, and referenced strong scientific research that shows the efficacy of marine protected areas. Skinner described the Integrated Preferred Alternative plan for the north central coast as a good compromise that will benefit peopleand wildlife.

Her sentiments were echoed by Bob Wilson, a volunteer with the Marine Mammal Center who also served on the north central coast Regional Stakeholder Group that helped to map out a network of protected areas for coastal waters the extend from Half Moon Bay to Point Arena.

Big Day for the MLPA

Tomorrow in Sacramento, the California Fish and Game Commission will accept public comment on plans for a marine protected area network in state waters from Point Arena to Pigeon Point. After a two year public process, with conservationists, fishermen, divers and scientists all helping to map out a solution that will work for the region's people and marine life, the decision point is close at hand. An none too soon! California's coastal waters are in crisis, with pressures like fishing, climate change, and pollution all taking a toll on our fish populations and habitat.

You can read more about the careful study and compromise that has gone into plans to protect north central coast waters in a story written by regional stakeholder group member and fisherwoman Samantha Murray.

We need your help to ensure the carefully crafted compromise proposal, known as the Integrated Preferred Alternative, is approved by the Commission. Send a letter or consider attending tomorrow's meeting to let them know you support a strong, science-based plan for California's ocean health.