The California Legislature Passes Two Joint
Resolutions to Protect California’s
Coast From Weaker Federal Legislation.
Sacramento, CA – Last week, the
California Legislature passed two joint resolutions to protect California’s
oceans and coastlines. A.J.R. 51, a resolution
to protect California’s coastline from
expanded offshore drilling, and A.J.R. 66, a resolution to strengthen fishery
management guidelines, both protect California’s
oceans and coastlines against weaker federal legislation.
“By passing A.J.R. 51 and A.J.R. 66, California’s
legislature has demonstrated its commitment to protecting California’s beautiful beaches, coastlines
and wild places,” said Gina Goodhill, Ocean Associate. “We are thrilled that California continues to act as the model for
what good federal ocean protection should look like.”
A.J.R. 51, introduced by Assemblymember Nava and adopted on
Sunday, requests that the United States Congress extend the 27 year old
moratorium on offshore oil drilling through fiscal year 2009 and beyond. The resolution cites the high environmental
risk of expanded drilling, along with the economic importance of a healthy
coast and fishing industry, as reasons to continue the current ban on offshore
drilling. The resolution also opposes
adoption of federal oil legislation, such as H.R. 2784, which would open state
coasts to expanded offshore drilling.
The resolution comes after President Bush’s decision in July
to lift the executive ban on offshore drilling.
Congress must now decide whether they will renew the 27 –year old
moratorium when it expires on October 1st, or whether they will end
the moratorium and allow expanded drilling in coastal states like California, Virginia,
and Florida.
A.J.R. 66, introduced by Assemblymember Brownley and adopted
on Thursday, lends support for efforts to strengthen national fishery
management principles so as to protect and enhance fisheries off of California’s coast. The proposed changes come from the National
Marine Fishery Service; they would strengthen National Standard 1 fishery
management guidelines under the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.
Fishery management on both a state-wide and a nation-wide
level is becoming an increasingly serious problem. In California,
there is only adequate data on 30 percent of fish species; of that 30 percent,
nine percent are overfished. Nationally,
the biggest problem facing fish stocks is overfishing, or taking more fish out
of the ocean than can naturally replenish.
“California’s
beautiful coastlines and thriving fishing industry are key parts of what makes
our state special. By taking action now, California
is doing its part to preserve our state’s unique beauty, delicate ecosystem and
thriving tourism industry,” said Goodhill.
CA-ocean-resolutions---media-release.doc