Local assemblywoman supports marine sanctuary

Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) wrote a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expressing her support for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

In the letter, she urged NOAA to reconsider their preferred alternative that excludes the ocean waters off Morro Bay and Cayucos from protection.

In the letter, she said, "Protecting ocean health off of California's coast is urgent, and our approach must be comprehensive - including both conservation and climate action. Therefore, I applaud NOAA's proposed expansion to the south along the Gaviota coast. However, I urge you to forgo the proposed exclusion of ecologically and culturally rich ocean and coastline areas of Morro Bay and Cayucos that would leave those areas unprotected.

"Morro Bay is my home. It's where my husband and I raised two children. It's where I taught in public schools and served on the city council. First peoples who see the ocean as sacred have lived here for millennia. Additionally Morro Bay is a fishing village and a place where hundreds of thousands of people visit every year for its natural beauty. Our economy is dependent on the ocean and its sea life. Our collective ability to thrive hinges on our ocean's health."

She emphasized the need for a unified sanctuary along the entire Central Coast. The letter was submitted before the October 25, 2023 comment deadline.