CalOceans News

Happy World Ocean Day from CalOceans

On this World Ocean Day, CalOceans thanks you for supporting our ongoing efforts to create a statewide network of marine reserves on the California coast. 

Wondering what you can do to make the Ocean a better place?  The good folks over at National Geographic have a few suggestions:

1. Mind Your Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy Consumption
Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when you can and being conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few things you can do to get started today: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and bundle up or use a fan to avoid over setting your thermostat.

2. Make Safe, Sustainable Seafood Choices
Global fish populations are rapidly being depleted due to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing practices. When shopping or dining out, help reduce the demand for overexploited species by choosing seafood that is both healthful and sustainable.

3. Use Fewer Plastic Products
Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine animals each year. To limit your impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in nondisposable containers, bring your own cloth tote or other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle whenever possible.

4. Help Take Care of the Beach
Whether you enjoy diving, surfing, or relaxing on the beach, always clean up after yourself. Explore and appreciate the ocean without interfering with wildlife or removing rocks and coral. Go even further by encouraging others to respect the marine environment or by participating in local beach cleanups.

5. Don't Purchase Items That Exploit Marine Life
Certain products contribute to the harming of fragile coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing items such as coral jewelry, tortoiseshell hair accessories (made from hawksbill turtles), and shark products.

6. Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner
Read pet food labels and consider seafood sustainability when choosing a diet for your pet. Never flush cat litter, which can contain pathogens harmful to marine life. Avoid stocking your aquarium with wild-caught saltwater fish, and never release any aquarium fish into the ocean or other bodies of water, a practice that can introduce non-native species harmful to the existing ecosystem.

7. Support Organizations Working to Protect the Ocean
Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Find a national organization and consider giving financial support or volunteering for hands-on work or advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local branch or group and get involved in projects close to home.

8. Influence Change in Your Community
Research the ocean policies of public officials before you vote or contact your local representatives to let them know you support marine conservation projects. Consider patronizing restaurants and grocery stores that offer only sustainable seafood, and speak up about your concerns if you spot a threatened species on the menu or at the seafood counter.

9. Travel the Ocean Responsibly
Practice responsible boating, kayaking, and other recreational activities on the water. Never throw anything overboard, and be aware of marine life in the waters around you. If you’re set on taking a cruise for your next vacation, do some research to find the most eco-friendly option.

10. Educate Yourself About Oceans and Marine Life
All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues facing this vital system, the more you’ll want to help ensure its health—then share that knowledge to educate and inspire others.

• Tags:
• marine conservation
• marine science
• ocean conservation

Our troubled oceans--you have to see it to believe it

Following up on last week’s post on the need to give the ocean its fair share of the Earth Day attention, CalOceans would like to share this TIME magazine article that presents a theory on why ocean health never gets adequate attention. Whether you’re talking about funding for conservation, or marine protected areas (which account for a scant 0.8% of the world’s ocean), the deep blue sea that covers 70% of the planet gets short shrift.

The cause, suggests TIME’s Bryan Walsh, is that we can’t see the degradation human activity is causing to the ocean. In the words of Jean-Michel Cousteau: “Because we’re visual creatures and we can’t see what’s going on, we don’t relate.”

We have fished out an estimated 90% of the major commercial fish species. Commercial fishing trawlers rake the sea floor, destroying habitat. Pollution flows unchecked.

Fortunately, and as the article points out, MPAs can “make a significant difference in ocean health.” They give sea life a break from human influence and a chance to recover. It’s good to receive a reminder that here in California, we’re on the right track with the Marine Life Protection Act, which will result in a network of MPAs along the full length of the coast.

• Tags:
• marine conservation
• Marine Protected Areas
• earth day

California's oceans are too big to fail

Carl Safina and Sylvia Earle are no strangers to the benefits of marine protected areas.  Dr. Earle won the TED prize for her work to protect the planet's "blue heart," and her goal is to see a worldwide network of marine protected areas to keep the world's oceans healthy and sustainable.  

Both ocean experts worry about the effects of climate change, overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction on sea life.  And now, Safina and Earle are calling for a bailout plan for the ocean.  At a recent event, they had conservationists repeat, "the oceans are too big to fail."

That's certainly true in California.  The coast and ocean are our most iconic attraction.  According to the National Ocean Economics Program 2009 report, they drive $22 billion dollars in revenue and 350,000 jobs each year.  And the lion's share of that--three quarters of the revenue, and over half the jobs--come from tourism and recreation.

In order to keep those industries thriving, we have to protect the iconic ocean places and wildlife people come to enjoy.  If our oceans are too big to fail, then the Marine Life Protection Act is a wise investment indeed for California.

• Tags:
• ocean economy
• coastal tourism
• california economy
• Marine Life Protection Act
• marine conservation

New MPAs Work PSA featuring Pierce Brosnan

The effort to create a network of permanently protected areas off the foast of California is picking up steam. This new Public Service Announcement-- featuring some familiar Hollywood faces--tells the story of how California is creating a network of MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) along it's coast for one simple reason -- MPA work.

Over fifty nations around the world are now implementing MPAs as the primary means of protecting ocean wildlife. In this PSA a number of celebrities (Pierce Brosnan, John C. McGinley ("Scrubs"), Edie McClurg "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"), Gabby Reece (fashion model/professional volleyball player), Amy Smart ("The Butterfly Effect"), Christa Miller ("Scrubs"), Simon Helberg ("The Big Bang Effect") help send out the message that a new day has arrived for protecting the oceans because ... MPAs Work!

Please help us spread the word! Send the video to your family and friends!

• Tags:
• marine conservation
• Marine Protected Areas
• marine science