When and where we dive with Nautilus has been a moving target this past week with equipment failures and bad weather conditions (wind and swell). We’ve be hiding in the lee of Channel Islands and just completed two dives over the past two days. A week sooner than anticipated – we all rallied and Lizzie Duncan pulled it off. We saw tons of sponges and corals and made numerous collections. Continue reading
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has completed our five-year review of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary nomination and determined that this nomination continues to meet the 11 sanctuary nomination process criteria. Continue reading
It’s Time to Speak Out for the Ocean – you can make a difference
Being near the ocean is unlike other places—it has a magical quality that allows people and families the opportunity to create unforgettable memories. We celebrate our spiritual blessing ceremonies, community gatherings, holidays, weddings, births and memorials to life here. We want it protected by a sanctuary so that our friends, families and communities can continue to connect with Grandmother Oceans in a clean, safe and healthy environment. Continue reading
CHUMASH HERITAGE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY NOMINATION
Summary
Indigenous Peoples have a unique perspective. When incorporated with science, our perspectives highlight Grandmother Ocean’s life and connectivity in a living matrix of thrivability. The connectivity of life in Grandmother Ocean needs our assistance in understanding ways to support the life force of our Grandmother Ocean, in these times. This is an opportunity, for all communities along our coast to support the most unique and diverse Grandmother Ocean coast, and it is the time for all of us to assist NOAA in the journey to a “one of a kind Marine Sanctuary,” The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Continue reading
The Northern Chumash Tribal Council (NCTC) and the Indigenous Communities around the world are working to provide solutions to assist Grandmother Oceans in the ever expanding troubling challenges that we face today. NCTC would like to thank you (Mr. Douros,) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for giving us the indigenous community the opportunity to offer our perspectives for the long life of Grandmother Oceans, current perspectives that make the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary even more important today.
Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called on Commerce Secretary Ross to accelerate the designation of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in an effort to combat rising carbon levels in the oceans.
“California’s waters are rising in acidity at twice the global average, threatening marine life and contributing to a growing number of costly fishery disasters,” Feinstein wrote to Secretary Ross. “In addition to creating 600 new jobs, designating the proposed ‘Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary’ would protect sacred sites of the Chumash people, major animal migratory routes, and kelp habitat.”
Full text of the letter follows: Continue reading
Come for an afternoon of information and undersea wonders as marine biologists, elected officials and conservation advocates come together to discuss the protections that national marine sanctuary status have brought to treasures of marine habitat and wildlife elsewhere along the California coast, and how it can happen for SLO and Santa Barbara via designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.* Continue reading
Dear Chairman Sullivan, Ranking Member Peters, and distinguished members of the
Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard.
It is an honor for the Northern Chumash Tribal Council to have present the designation documents for
the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary and to have engaged with the local Indigenous
communities and local communities in an ongoing overwhelming manner in the Central Coast of
California to present the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary that is for all Americans and
inland communities which care deeply about these national treasures.
Advocates of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary explain why they support it Click Watch Video
In a video provided by the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club, supporters of the Chumash National Heritage Marine Sanctuary explain what the designation would mean, what they hope to accomplish and why they think it’s important for the Central Coast.
Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter
