Thanks for the Beautiful Beaches!: Play Now | Download (550)

With Memorial Day Weekend, the “unofficial” start of summer, we highlight ways to thank the ocean for our beautiful beaches. Brian Baird, Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Policy for the California Natural Resources Agency, discusses everyday actions we can take to help clean up our coasts and ocean. Actor and activist Edward James Olmos adds his powerful Thank You Ocean message, “Don’t Trash the Beach.”

For more information, visit:

• California Coastal Cleanup Day
• Thank You Ocean Marine Debris page
• Thank You Ocean Pledge
  

 Decommissioning Oil and Gas Rigs: Play Now | Download (1771)

Skyli McAfee, Executive Director of the California Ocean Science Trust, offers a perspective on decommissioning oil and gas rigs that sit off the coast of California. (Photo credit: Platform Irene, North of Point Arguello: Linda Snook)

For more information, visit:

• California Ocean Science Trust
• The Study to Provide Information Related to Oil and Gas Platform Decommissioning Alternatives in California
• Ocean Protection Council Meeting on June 24-25, 2010

 Oil Spills in San Francisco Bay: Preparing a Better Response: Play Now | Download (639)

This Thank You Ocean Report highlights excerpts from the “Oil Spills in San Francisco Bay: Preparing a Better Response” conference sponsored by the San Francisco Estuary Partnership on May 11, 2010. | Click here to view .mp4 video in larger player

For more information, visit:

• San Francisco Estuary Partnership

 Gulf Oil Spill (video): Play Now | Download (635)

 Gulf Oil Spill (audio): Play Now | Download (340)

On April 22, 2010 the Transocean Deepwater Horizon drilling rig sank 130 miles southeast of New Orleans. On this report you will learn how you can find current information on the spill and how you can help. (Photo credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Justin E. Stumberg/Released) | Click here to view .mp4 video in larger player

For more information, visit:

• Deepwater Horizon Response page
• OR&R Deepwater Horizon page (main NOAA page)
• NOS Deepwater Horizon page
• Gulf of Mexico spill
• Waterkeeper Alliance
• National Wildlife Federation
• Surfrider/SkyTruth
• International Bird Rescue
• Audubon Society
• Gulf of Mexico Alliance

 The Ocean and Rain: Play Now | Download (549)

This winter NOAA is predicting greater rainfall than normal. On this report, we ask the question: How does rainfall affect the ocean? Bridget Hoover, Director of the Water Quality Protection Program for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, describes how various pollutants accumulate during the dry season and are washed into the ocean when it rains. (Photo courtesy of Warren Yogi)

For more information, please visit:

• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network
• Coastal Watershed Council First Flush
• Heal the Bay Swimming Precautions

 Ocean Protection Council: Play Now | Download (417)

The mission of the Ocean Protection Council is to insure that California maintains healthy, resilient, and productive ocean and coastal ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. Learn more about the OPC from California Secretary for Natural Resources Mike Chrisman. (Photo courtesy of Valerie Termini/Ocean Protection Council)

For more information, visit:

• Ocean Protection Council