Marine Conservation Institute presented a Blue Park Award to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and the National Park Service in a ceremony at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
The award recognizes the collaborative efforts of state and federal managers in meeting the highest science-based standards for protection and management of the northern Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
“The northern Channel Islands MPAs are some of the oldest in California’s comprehensive statewide network,” said Becky Ota, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Habitat Conservation Program manager.
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is proud of our collaborative conservation accomplishments with our state, federal and community partners, both at the Channel
Islands and throughout the state to adaptively manage California’s 124 MPAs.”
“Our goal is to recognize MPAs that deliver real results for marine life conservation and inspire others around the world to protect 30 percent of the ocean’s most important places by 2030,” said Lance Morgan, president of Marine Conservation Institute.
“We hope that Blue Park recognition of the northern Channel Islands MPAs provides a shining example of regional marine conservation efforts and encourages others to protect our oceans for generations to come,” he said.
“Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary protects one of America’s most treasured marine environments for current and future generations to use and enjoy,” said Chris Mobley, superintendent of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. “We are extremely proud to receive this award in recognition of our collaboration with partners to promote marine conservation.”
“Channel Islands National Park is honored to be acknowledged for its stewardship of the waters within the park,” said Ethan McKinley, superintendent of Channel Islands National Park.
We take pride in our nearly four decades of scientific efforts which contributed greatly to the forming of the Channel Islands MPAs and our partnerships in education, resource monitoring, and resource protection to protect these important areas well into the future,” she said.
The northern Channel Islands MPAs protect some of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. A network of 13 MPAs covering 318 square miles was established by the state of California and the federal government to provide a refuge for sea life and as investments in the future for education, recreation and enjoyment.
Marine Conservation Institute works with existing and new MPAs to ensure they are well-designed, effectively managed, protect the oceans and deliver on their commitment to protect marine biodiversity for generations to come. MPAs that meet these standards can achieve a Blue Park designation, the highest award of conservation excellence.
Blue Park Awards were established by the Marine Conservation Institute to encourage governments to safeguard marine wildlife, secure critical habitats, promote resistance to climate change, and ensure the beauty of the oceans for future generations.
Marine Conservation Institute, founded in 1996, works in the U.S. and globally to seek strong protection for 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. The focus on protecting the ocean’s most important places follows several lines of work: identifying and advocating for strong marine protected areas; improving laws and other tools to better conserve marine biodiversity; catalyzing effective conservation by recognizing and elevating the best marine protected areas as Blue Parks; and accurately reporting on conservation efforts with the Atlas of Marine Protection (MPAtlas.org).