Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

TAKE ACTION: Speak Up for Marine Sanctuary Staff!    NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries staff were just fired by the Trump Administration.   This is a devastating blow to our national marine sanctuaries and the coastal communities that depend on them.   And this is only the first wave of attacks to our underwater parks if we don’t act now.   We’re urging elected officials to speak up to restore the NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Sanctuary workforce.   NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries staff dedicate themselves every day to these national treasures, which are an enduring underwater legacy for the American people.   These treasured places must be protected, ensuring American families, coastal communities, and local industries and businesses are not left to fend for themselves in the face of growing environmental and economic challenges.   Sending a letter takes less than two minutes—and shows your lawmakers that their constituents care about NOAA and our national marine sanctuaries.   Send your letter NOW directly to your members of Congress! marinesanctuary.org/action

"America’s national marine sanctuaries and monuments protect some of the ocean’s rarest and most fascinating creatures—species that have evolved in unique ways to thrive in these underwater habitats. From deep-sea black corals older than the pyramids, to the elusive and strikingly beautiful masked angelfish (Genicanthus personatus), found only in remote, deep reefs of Hawaii. These marine wonders highlight the importance of conservation efforts that keep our ocean and Great Lakes waters healthy. Here are 11 rare and endemic species that call these protected waters home–either for their entire lives, or for part of their lives—each with its own incredible story." NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries https://lnkd.in/gJh5jAky

"Businesses located in and near sanctuary communities play important roles in the protection of marine resources by promoting sustainable use and responsible recreation and tourism, and helping to raise public awareness about research and conservation efforts. Without those businesses, travelers would have nowhere to stay or eat when visiting the sanctuary, no guided tours on the water to learn about local wildlife, and no way of renting boats, paddleboards, or snorkeling equipment to get out on (or in) the water and explore. Likewise, healthy marine protected areas are good for business—people travel from all over the world to visit national marine sanctuaries and enjoy activities such as whale watching and fishing—and the money they spend while visiting trickles throughout the local economy. National marine sanctuaries also protect critical habitats for commercially valuable fish species, which also boosts local economies." NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries https://lnkd.in/gYCxGzMe

"The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary plays an important role in keeping us safe during emergencies related to our ocean and the atmosphere. We are all familiar with NOAA’s use of satellites and weather radar to collect real-time data to provide timely alerts, promoting life-saving preparedness and evacuations. After a natural or human-caused disaster, the sanctuary coordinates with other agencies to minimize damage to the environment. We are supporting and contributing in important ways to the two most recent emergency response incidents that occurred in or near our sanctuary: the partial collapse of the Santa Cruz Wharf and the battery plant fire in Moss Landing." - Dr. Lisa Wooninck, Superintendent, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

"Sunflower sea stars are nearly extinct in Monterey Bay. But at the Sunflower Star Lab in Moss Landing, a group of 1-year-olds are growing and thriving. On Valentine’s Day 2024, the 'Cupid Cohort' of sunflower stars was spawned at Birch Aquarium in San Diego before moving into the Sunflower Sea Star Laboratory in Moss Landing. The lab celebrated the first birthday or 'Spawniversary' of the 72 babies with an art fair and guided tours of the lab space on Friday. With the current Cupid Cohort, lab staff have been able to research more about these keystone species. Eventually, the team hopes for a return of these stars to Monterey Bay, where they can help maintain kelp forests, which are declining at a fast pace." Moss Landing Marine Laboratories https://lnkd.in/gb7N6BVW

"In many films and photos, I have no recollection of seeing Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian or other members of the community hanging out at the beach and surfing with their friends. However, we know this isn’t an accurate representation of true surf community diversity. Our region has a rich history of international travelers, a local military base and community members from many cultures. I have been reflecting on the opportunity to represent better what local beach culture can look like." - Tracey Weiss O'Neill Sea Odyssey Black Surf Santa Cruz THE WAHINE PROJECT INC https://lnkd.in/gJzw4ggj

"Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, the first sanctuary to be designated, honors the crew of the USS Monitor and particularly the sailors who tragically lost their lives in the sinking of the Monitor on December 31, 1862. Researchers can positively identify eight men of African American descent in the USS Monitor’s crew, although there were likely more, based on correspondence and letters." National Marine Sanctuary Foundation https://lnkd.in/gcKwH5fZ

✨”In the SB Channel, we're so fortunate— we have one of the world's largest concentrations of #bluewhale populations— and we also have some of the busiest shipping lanes on the planet." Learn more about how Blue Whales and Blue Skies helps balance maritime commerce with marine life and coastal community protection; how #shipping lines can participate; see environmental impact results; and ambassador opportunities for: brands, freight forwarders and #logistics companies and other entities that import or export via California ports at bluewhalesblueskies.org. 🎥: Thank you to Adam Ernster Wildlife for putting together this clip! #maritimetrade #conservation #endangeredspecies #whales

"This most recent fire at the Texas-based Vistra Energy plant is the third event in recent years. Vistra sits adjacent to another battery storage facility on the same property operated by PG&E. Testing results from this recent fire have made many people concerned for the web of life, the Elkhorn Slough Reserve, the vitally important Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and beyond. Researchers from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories have detected microscopic particles of nickel, cobalt and manganese (found in the thousands, of lithium-ion batteries that burned at the Vistra Energy battery storage plant) in the mudflats and tidal marshes at Elkhorn Slough at levels roughly 100 to 1,000 times higher than usual." O'Neill Sea Odyssey https://lnkd.in/g99fwHkB

"A miles-long ‘super pod’ of 1,500 dolphins has been spotted ‘leaping and gliding’ across Carmel Bay off the central coast of California, in a rare show that has left marine biologists “amazed” and members of the Monterey Bay Whale Watch team ‘astonished’ at the scale of the formation. Drone footage captured by Captain Evan Brodsky of the Monterey Bay Whale Watch team, shows a cluster of Risso’s dolphins ‘ stretching for miles’, presenting an astonishing sight for those aboard the whale watching tour." https://lnkd.in/gKdjKgYf