Governor's Record On Ocean Protection

7/29/2008

Governor Schwarzenegger has taken action to do for our ocean what he is doing for our air; making it cleaner, safer and healthier. He was elected with a vision to redefine ocean protection and help ensure a clean and pristine coastline to the people of California. Governor Schwarzenegger's commitment and follow-through to improve air quality and protect our ocean has made California the bastion of a strong, focused environmental policy that is setting the standard for our nation.

Governor Schwarzenegger's "bold, visionary ocean policy," has been lauded as setting "a new pace on ocean protection for the nation."

San Jose Mercury News: "Over the past year, California has set a new pace on ocean protection for the nation, putting in place a tidal wave of policies to preserve ocean wildlife, limit cruise-ship pollution, establish "no-fishing zones" and reduce beach contamination -- while Washington, D.C., has largely sat idle." (Paul Rogers, "Rising Tide Of Support For Saving The Oceans," San Jose Mercury News, 10/23/04)

Vice President Of The Ocean Conservancy Warner Chabot: "In the last year, this Legislature and this governor have done more to produce bold, visionary ocean policy than every other state, the president and the Congress combined ... slam dunk. No question." (Paul Rogers, "Rising Tide Of Support For Saving The Oceans," San Jose Mercury News, 10/23/04)

Governor Schwarzenegger honored his promise to go "above and beyond what was being recommended on the Federal level" and has made California the national leader in ocean protection.

In 2004, the Governor unveiled his Ocean Action Plan that set a national standard for the management of ocean and coastal resources, created the first Cabinet-level Ocean Protection Council in the nation and signed legislation increasing ocean protection, including limits on trawl-net fishing and water quality testing. California also adopted the country's strictest rules on cruise ship dumping - standards that have since been expanded to cargo ships.

The Governor revitalized The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) to help preserve biological diversity, protect habitats, and promote recreational, scientific and educational opportunities.

Passed in 1999 to help restore marine ecosystems, a lack of adequate resources hindered MLPA implementation efforts. In 2004, under the Schwarzenegger Administration, a new public-private initiative was launched to implement the MLPA. (California Department Of Fish And Game Website, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/, Accessed 7/29/08)

Governor Schwarzenegger joined with the Governors of Washington and Oregon to form the West Coast Governors' Agreement On Ocean Health to protect not just California's shores, but the entire West Coast.

Formed in September 2006, this proactive regional collaboration to protect and manage the ocean and coastal resources along the entire West Coast made a joint commitment to release an action plan by 2008.

Governor Schwarzenegger has increased public awareness on ocean protection and inspired Californians to do their part to keep our coastline clean with the Thank You Ocean public awareness campaign in 2006.

In 2006 the Thank You Ocean public awareness campaign was launched to encourage public involvement and provide information about how to help protect Pacific Ocean's health and resources. (California Ocean Resources Management Program Website, http://www.resources.ca.gov/ocean/, Accessed 7/29/08)

The Governor remains adamant in his opposition to new oil drilling off California's coast.

Governor Schwarzenegger: "To look for new ways to feed our addiction is not the answer."
"America is so addicted to oil ... and to look for new ways to feed our addiction is not the answer ... the direction that our nation and our states need to go in ... is towards greater innovation and new technologies and new fuel choices for our consumers." (Governor Schwarzenegger, "Remarks At Climate Change Summit," Miami, Fl, 6/26/08)

The Governor and his partners in Washington and Oregon have followed through on their commitment to Ocean protection and released the West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health Action Plan.

The Action Plan, released 2008, outlines how the states can work together and with federal authorities to improve our ocean in seven priority areas. It includes 26 specific actions to help combat polluted runoff and reduce marine garbage, advocate for stricter vessel emission standards, prevent invasive species, oppose new offshore oil and gas development and explore alternatives, improve ocean research, and increase ocean education, among others.