Support for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

On March 24 of this year, President Biden called for the designation of the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Getting this proposed sanctuary across the finish line is a priority. It also reminds us that there are other sanctuaries up for consideration, including the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Monument.

Regarding the Chumash proposal, you can watch this webinar held with Secretary Wade Crowfoot of the California Natural Resources Agency; U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal; Violet Sage Walker, chair of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council and nominator of the sanctuary; and Dr. Dawn Murray, professor of environmental studies.

The Chumash sanctuary would protect an offshore area along 140 miles of California coastline. It’s a biodiversity hotspot, with a range of habitat types from coastal estuaries to deep sea canyons, and migratory paths frequented by marine mammals such as dolphins and whales.

Creating this national designation would also connect two existing sanctuaries, forming a network where ocean wildlife can roam.

Support remains very strong for this sanctuary, and we hope to see the Biden administration move it forward in the near future.