California’s ocean life is threatened

We love the California coast. It’s beautiful and it’s also home to incredible wildlife, including sea otters, sea turtles and humpback whales. Yet beneath the surface, the future of life in the ocean is at risk. Already, 90% of the world’s large fish, such as sharks and tuna, are gone. Every day, plastic pollution, oil spills, and climate change put more pressure on marine ecosystems.

Marine Protected Areas help wildlife

One of the best ways to help ocean wildlife survive these threats is to create marine protected areas. These areas are like national parks offshore: spaces that are off-limits to commercial activity like fishing. California has some marine protected areas, and officials are now considering expanding protections in key places from Cabrillo State Marine Reserve in San Diego to Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz. These protections would give sea otters and other coastal wildlife a better chance to survive and thrive.

Photo by Camille Pagniello | CC-BY-2.0

Resistance to protecting the ocean

Commercial and even some recreational fishing interests have at times resisted the creation of marine protected areas. Among those who support expanding our marine protected areas are dozens of prominent marine scientists as well as community groups and all people who enjoy diving, swimming, surfing, wildlife photography, and kayaking in marine protected areas. A strong majority of Californians also support these protections, but we need to demonstrate that support to local and state officials, including the governor and other state officials.

Take action to protect the ocean

Join our campaign to protect the ocean by calling on Gov. Newsom and key state officials to strengthen and expand California’s marine protected areas so that these incredible places will be there to enjoy for future generations.