California Central Coast Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Proposal
Introduction
The Northern Chumash Tribal Council (NCTC), in collaboration with local, state, and national grassroots organizations is proposing the nomination of the California Central Coast Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. (See SLO Coast Journal Marine Sanctuary article.)
Marine Sanctuaries – the Yosemites of the Seas
The U. S. National Marine Sanctuary System includes thirteen national marine sanctuaries and the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Each national marine sanctuary and the Marine National Monument are unique places that connect communities while benefitting both the community's economic health and the health of the fragile marine ecosystems.
"National Marine Sanctuaries" Video by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Map of Ocean Topography for Region of Interest for Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
Ocean Topography for Region of Interest
The ocean waters between the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) provide nourishment to marine mammals and fishes that travel to and from these two sanctuaries. Marine life from both the southern and the northern California waters meet between these two sanctuaries. (See Op Ed in Santa Maria Times by David Georgi, Ph.D, "Local Residents Urgently Need a National Marine Sanctuary Off Our Coast")
According to Dr. Georgi, "All 12 of the current sanctuaries generate about $4 billion annually to local economies in fishing and tourism, supporting more than 50,000 jobs."
Chumash Area Map
Map of the Chumash Heritage Native American Area Along the Central Coast of California
The proposed Sanctuary embodies internationally and nationally significant oceanographic features, habitat and sacred Chumash onshore and submerged sites, some as far as 13 miles offshore. Codependent onshore resources include the high coastal dunes, wetlands and Chumash Sacred sites continuously occupied for 9,000 or more years.
Central Coast National Marine Sanctuary Possibilities
Our November 2011 Marine Sanctuary article in the SLO Coast Journal discusses the central coast national marine sanctuary possibilities and the significance of the core areas within these ocean waters. A core area is usually an internationally or nationally significant oceanographic and or ecological unit that needs primary protection and becomes the central focus of a sanctuary.
The nationally significant historical and cultural features of the Chumash underwater archaeological sites now submerged by sea level rise during the last 10,000 to 20,000 years comprise a unique overlapping core area (Core Area Seven).
Other core areas include:
Core Area One includes the Santa Lucia Bank, Santa Lucia Escarpment, Arguello Canyon, and the persistent upwelling between Point Conception and Point Sal. (See the September 2010 Marine Sanctuary article).
Map of location of the only Persistent Upwelling along the California Coast
Core Areas Two, Three, and Four are discussed in the October 2010 SLO Coast Journal Marine Sanctuary article.
Core Ares Five and Six are discussed in the November 2010 Marine Sanctuary article in the SLO Coast Journal.
Experience the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Bob Talbot's video, "One Breath: A Monterey Bay Experience" captures the complex sanctuary experience along the California Coast.
APP of National Marine Sanctuaries Along California Coast
Building on the popularity of iPhone and iPad applications for tourists, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries have released the application, "Experience California." Developed by International Mapping, the app includes Monterey Bay, Gulf of the Farallones, Channel Islands, and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries.
Conclusion
Now is the time to fill the gap for better sanctuary protection of both the CINMS and the MBNMS and to learn the historically important Chumash Heritage.
This area of proposed protection — between the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and out to the western slope of the Santa Lucia Bank — warrants protection under the National Marine Sanctuary Program for the purpose of embracing the Chumash concept of "thrivability" wherein a deep understanding of this unique and precious marine environment is embodied within its local human inhabitants. People are part of the interconnected environment, and national marine sanctuaries are important educational systems to teach stewardship towards thrivability.
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NOAA maps used in this article are enhanced and edited by Karl Kempton using these NOAA publications:
A Biogeographic Assessment of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary: A Review of Boundary Expansion Concepts for NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program - NOAA
A Biogeographic Assessment off North/Central California: In Support of the National Marine Sanctuaries of Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay. Phase II – environmental Setting and Update to Marine Birds and Mammals. NOAA - Ecosystems
Ecological Linkages: Marine and Estuarine Ecosystems Central and Northern California, Aquatic Commons
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