National Marine Sanctuaries: Play Now | Download (207)

America’s ocean treasures are right off our coasts! National marine sanctuaries are special ocean places that have a unique ability to touch people. Thirteen national marine sanctuaries and one marine national monument make up the National Marine Sanctuary System. Four are in California: Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones, Monterey Bay and Channel Islands national marine sanctuaries. Dan Basta, Director of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, talks about how “America’s ocean treasures” help people change how they think about our ocean and create a “community of the committed.”

For more information, visit:

• NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries
• Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
• Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

 New California Law Protects Sharks Against Brutal Finning: Play Now | Download (234)

Shark finning is a practice of cutting the fins off of living sharks and dumping them back in the ocean to die. The fins are then dried and consumed in costly shark fin soup. California’s historic Shark Protection Act, banning finning, was recently signed into law, working toward ending the destruction of shark species globally. We talked with Assembly Member Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) who, along with Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), authored the groundbreaking bill supported by a host of organizations, agencies and citizens who celebrated the signing. (Photo courtesy of Terry Goss/Marine Photobank)

For more information, visit:

• CA Assembly Member Paul Fong
• CA Assembly Member Jared Huffman
• AB 376 fact sheet (NRDC)
• Asian Pacific American Ocean Harmony Alliance (APAOHA)

 Enforcement of Marine Protected Areas [3:28m]: Play Now | Download (400)

A network of marine protected areas (MPAs) are in the process of being established along California’s 1,100 mile coastline. One of the critical aspects of managing these MPAs is enforcement. On this podcast, we talk with California Department of Fish and Game Assistant Chief Tony Warrington about some of the issues surrounding enforcement of MPAs. (Photo credit: California Department of Fish and Game)

For more information, visit:

• Marine Life Protection Act web site
• California Department of Fish and Game’s mobile phone app
• Thank You Ocean’s new web page on MPAs

 Managing California’s Network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) [3:40m]: Play Now | Download (404)

The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) directs the state to re-evaluate and re-design California’s network of marine protected areas (MPAs). Becky Ota, Habitat Conservation Program Manager of California’s Department of Fish and Game (Marine Region), discusses how adaptive, long-term management through education and outreach, monitoring, and enforcement will be critical to meet the goals of the MLPA. (Photo courtesy of Alex MacLeod/PISCO UCSC)

For more information, visit:

• Thank You Ocean’s new webpage on MPAs
• California Department of Fish and Game
• Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation
• National Marine Protected Areas Center

 Using the Power of Film to Protect the Health of the Ocean: Play Now | Download (464)

MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world’s largest independent producer of IMAX theatre films with an extraordinary track record and a new campaign to restore the health of the ocean.

For more information, visit:

• One World One Ocean
• MacGillivray Freeman Films

 Ocean for Life: Play Now | Download (308)

Ocean for Life brings together students of diverse cultures and backgrounds to discover marine science, conservation, and how the ocean connects us all. NOAA’s national marine sanctuaries provide the optimal setting for this unique opportunity to enhance cross-cultural relationships, while creating a stewardship ethic for the ocean and the universal human experience.

For more information, visit:

• Ocean for Life | Youth Media Projects
• National Marine Sanctuaries
• National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
• Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)
• SCUBAnauts International

 California Coastal Cleanup Day [3:42m]: Play Now | Download (280)

California Coastal Cleanup Day, an annual beach and inland waterway cleanup held on the third Saturday of September, is the state’s largest volunteer event. Shannon Waters, California Coastal Commission Public Education Program Assistant, lets you know how you and your group can be part of the solution to marine pollution by getting involved in Coastal Cleanup Day! (Photo courtesy of John Eagle)

For more information, visit:

• California Coastal Cleanup Day
• “Bring Your Own” Campaign
• International Coastal Cleanup Day
• Thank You Ocean Marine Debris Page

 One World One Ocean Campaign: Play Now | Download (444)

The One World One Ocean Campaign is using the power of film, television and new media to inspire people to protect and restore the health of the ocean. Learn about the campaign from Greg MacGillivray, Chairman of the One World One Ocean Foundation and President of MacGillivray Freeman Films, and watch a brief film about the campaign narrated by Dr. Sylvia Earle.

For more information, visit:

• One World One Ocean
• MacGillivray Freeman Films

 Engaging the Public, Protecting the Coast, and Capturing the Moment [4:17m]: Play Now | Download (294)

The California Coastal Commission Public Education Program engages the public in coastal protection and restoration activities and increases the public’s understanding about California’s marine resources. Sylvie Lee, Public Education Program Coordinator, tells us about the Coastal Commission’s many outreach programs and events, as well as how you can get involved in the 13th Annual California Ocean and Coastal Amateur Photography Contest. (Photo courtesy of Shannon Yee)

For more information, visit:

• 13th Annual Ocean and Coastal Amateur Photography Contest
• California Coastal Commission Public Education Program
• Order your own Whale Tail license plate

 Podcast Video: Play Now | Download (384)

June 8 is World Ocean Day and the theme this year is “Youth: the Next Wave for Change.” On this report we introduce MERITO (Multicultural Education for Resource Issues Threatening Oceans), a marine conservation outreach effort comprising approximately twenty-five regional groups that participate in ocean and watershed education programs that serve students, teachers, adults and families living near the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

For more information, visit:

• World Ocean Day
• MERITO
• Thank You Ocean: Just For Kids
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)