An initiative led by the native Chumash people, California is set to get its first national marine sanctuary in 32 years since the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in 1992.
From the Diablo Canyon Power Plant to the Gaviota coast, the new sanctuary covers 116 miles of California coastline and will reach nearly 60 miles out in the sea. The new sanctuary will spread a total of 4,543 square miles across the Pacific Ocean, making it one of the larger proposed sanctuaries in California.
Now, in step 5 out of 7, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released its final impact statement and must wait 30 days before deciding to designate the sanctuary. The Biden Administration has designated this sanctuary as part of its promise to honor indigenous people’s land.
The final sanctuary designation is projected for December 2024 or January 2025, making it finalized before a new president steps up in January.
The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will be the first tribal-proposed sanctuary in the nation. Leading in the effort to respect Tribal land, the Chumash Tribe takes strides toward Native land recognition across the United States.
The sanctuary protects the area from destructive environmental practices such as oil drilling and mining undersea, as well as protects the biodiversity that exists in the region. This conservation effort is part of a broader goal to address ecosystem management and protect species that are native to the area, such as humpback whales, kelp, and sea otters.
The initiative helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the area, which also affects the life existing in the ocean. Part of this plan is to reduce ships’ speeds through the water. This produces less greenhouse emissions and reduces the chance of ships striking whales.
The Northern Chumash Tribe, established in 2006, has been advocating for the sanctuary as part of the Land Back movement, which champions the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous peoples. Located in San Luis Obispo County, the Northern Chumash Tribe hopes to promote environmentally-conscious efforts while maintaining the rich cultural history of the Native people of the region.
The Tribe has lived in the region for 20,000 years and intends to protect the coastline of which it calls home.
In response to the sanctuary, fishermen local to the area expressed concern about the additional restrictions. Tom Hafer, the president of the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization (MBCFO), worries about fishermen in the area already having to navigate multiple regulations.
The MBCFO is a volunteer organization that represents the best interests of local fishermen to NGOs, stakeholders, and government organizations.
California is home to 4 of the 15 marine sanctuaries that exist in the United States. One of them is the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS), which was also established to protect marine wildlife and protect the health of the region.
Originally, the Chumash Tribe wanted the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary to begin closer to the MBNMS. This conflicted with President Biden’s goals to create more wind farms at sea.
The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary has a small spot missing near Morro Bay, where Biden plans to construct wind turbines and underwater cables for future energy grid contribution.
The Tribe hopes to one day expand the sanctuary once wind turbines are built. This will further promote environmental protection and demonstrate the positive impact Indigenous people hope to achieve with their land.
The region is extremely important to Indigenous people who have lived off the land for millennials. Secretary Wade Crowfoot, California’s Natural Resources Secretary, expresses great pleasure about the new sanctuary. He comments on the area’s marine biological richness as well as the cultural richness that makes the region so important to protect.
