We local residents urgently need a national marine sanctuary off our central California coast. The area was approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1990 but was not approved by Congress for political reasons. When the Monterey Bay and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuaries were established, this left a gap between two protected areas.
Since then, our waters have been threatened because they are not protected. When central valley interests wanted to get rid of millions of selenium-polluted water, they aggressively attempted to dump it into Estero Bay. While this threat was beaten back, it never would have been attempted if we had marine sanctuary status.
Now we are faced with PG&E's plan to use seismic blasting to map earthquake faults around the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant/Waste Dump. The proposed sonic blasts would be up to 260 dB, blasting every 15 seconds for over a month. The effects would be devastating to sea life, the marine ecosystem, the fishing industry, and tourism. At that level, humans would also be at risk if they were in the water. Again, if we had sanctuary status, this plan would not even be considered.
The Monterey Bay Sanctuary expanded in 2009 to include the Davidson Seamount, and is planning to expand to the north. Expanding it further to include our waters seems the most likely way to get our waters protected. Other ways include expanding the Channel Islands Sanctuary or creating a new sanctuary.
There are other compelling reasons for protecting our waters besides specific threats like water pollution or sonic blasting. The area contains the undersea Arguello Canyon, a five-fingered canyon that contains the only persistent upwelling on the west coast. This upwelling brings nutrients up from deep in the ocean and provides the sustenance for both adjoining sanctuaries and much of the northern Pacific.
Our waters also teem with sea creatures that mingle here from both the north and south. The abundant source of food lets fish, mammals, birds, and invertebrates thrive. It attracts migrating species, including whales, dolphins, birds, and fish.
The economic advantages of having a marine sanctuary are numerous. Clean coastal waters improve the market value of coastal homes and businesses. All 12 of the current sanctuaries generate about $4 billion annually to local economies in fishing and tourism, supporting over 50,000 jobs. In 2002, commercial fishing and tourism in the Channel Islands NMS generated $207 million in seven counties, supporting 3,300 jobs. In 1999, 365,000 person-days of recreational fishing occurred there, generating $40 million and supporting 928 jobs. Also that year, whale watching drew 26,000 person-days generating $4.3 million in local spending and supporting 119 jobs.
In the Monterey Bay Sanctuary, 600 commercial fishing boats contribute $33.2 million in landings, supporting 441 jobs. A marine sanctuary attracts research funding and the development of such tourist magnets like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, ocean signage and numerous educational outreach efforts. Private funding is produced via the efforts of foundations supporting the work of the sanctuaries.
October 2012 marks the fortieth anniversary of the first marine sanctuary. Central coast residents should be outspoken on the need to protect our waters. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oversees marine sanctuaries and has not added a new one in 12 years. NOAA considers local support vital for establishing a sanctuary. We need to write letters requesting that NOAA reactivate the sanctuary site evaluation list and revise its process to consider new sanctuaries.
We can also write to the Advisory Councils of the Channel Islands and Monterey Bay sanctuaries to let them know we urgently want a marine sanctuary to protect our waters and ecosystem and to promote our local economy.
Monterey Bay Sanctuary Advisory Council Chair
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Chair
