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PRESS CLIPS
For Immediate Release
Contact: John Mann
July 15, 2008 (805)
483-9808
California Resolution Calling for Increased Protection for
California Gray Whale Submitted to President Bush and the
United States Congress.
SACRAMENTO – Assembly member Pedro Nava,
Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and
Homeland Security and the legislature’s representative on the
California Ocean Protection Council announced today that his
Assembly Joint Resolution 49 calling on the United States
Congress, the President, and the National Marine
Fisheries Service to take action to protect the California
Gray Whale cleared its final hurdle by passing the
California State Assembly yesterday on a bi-partisan 56 to19
vote. The resolution has been sent to President Bush,
the Congress of the United States and the National Marine
Fisheries Service.
“I am pleased that my colleagues in the Assembly and
Senate have joined me in asking Congress, President Bush, and
the National Marine Fisheries Service to take immediate action
to protect the California Gray Whale,” said Nava. “This
magnificent marine mammal is again facing a number of threats
to its existence and it is imperative that we act to provide
it with as much protection as possible so that it will be here
for future generations.”
AJR 49 requests the United States Congress and the
President of the United States to call upon the National
Marine Fisheries Service to undertake an immediate and
comprehensive assessment of the California Gray Whale, and
requests that they change its status to endangered. This
revised listing will provide comprehensive protections for the
Gray Whale as it travels from its breeding
grounds in
Mexico to its feeding grounds in the Arctic.
The California Gray Whale was placed on the endangered
species list in 1970, but was removed in 1994 after it was
believed that the population had recovered. However new
scientific evidence indicates that historic populations were
up to five times their current numbers. The Gray Whale
experienced a population collapse in 2000 in which up to
1/3 of the population died off and recent observations
indicated that they may be in the midst of another die off.
Current threats to the Gray Whale's survival include climate
change, oil and gas exploration and leases in the Bering and
Chukchi Sea feeding grounds, noise from seismic operations,
military and non-military sonar, liquefied natural gas
terminals planned along the whale's migration route, bottom
trawling, pollution, and other changes in ocean
conditions
that have drastically reduced their food supply.
“California’s coastline and the marine environment are
precious and need to be protected for our children and
grandchildren. This resolution will send a strong
message to Congress and the President that we need to take
action now to save the Gray Whale,” said Nava.
Assembly Joint Resolution 49 to Protect the California
Gray Whale Passes First Hurdle.
California Chronicle - Friday, April 02, 2008
Assembly Joint Resolution 49 to Protect the California
Gray Whale Passes First Hurdle. Read More...
Pedro Nava's Resolution Calling on Congress
Edhat.com Santa Barbra - Friday, April 02, 2008
Pedro Nava's Resolution Calling on Congress, the
President, and California to Take Action to Protect the
California Gray Whale Passes First Hurdle Read More...
Gray Whale is In Danger
American Chronicle - April 25, 2008
by Pedro Nava
California´s Gray Whale is in danger. The California Fish
and Game Commission has erroneously listed the Gray Whale
population as "recovered."Read More...
Whales play larger role than thought.
MendocinoBeakon - Friday 06, June, 2008
By FRANK HARTZELL of the MenocinoBeakon
A Santa Barbara State Assemblyman is asking state and
federal authorities to reopen the question of protecting
California gray whale habitat based on studies that found
whales have a greater role in the ocean food system than
previously thought.
Read More...
The CALIFORNIA GRAY WHALE COALITION is dedicated to protecting the most
ancient Baleen Whale on Planet Earth.
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SIGN THE PETITION
"I request that the new US Congress take all necessary steps to fund a
comprehensive review of all the major threats facing the California Gray
Whale."
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"A growing number of Gray Whales in the sub Arctic waters are
contaminated. As bottom feeders, these whales are vulnerable to toxic
pollution. Recent data from our worldwide sampling of sperm whale
blubber - The Voyage of the Odyssey - show that many whales are polluted
to levels that make their meat unsafe for human consumption-a sufficient
cause to discontinue whaling."
DR ROGER PAYNE
"The California Gray Whale is an indicator species of the sub Arctic
and Arctic Oceans. With major changes taking place in the
polar marine ecosystems, ensuring ongoing research into the major
threats facing these majestic whales is critical. In the light of
these changes, Gray Whales deserve the highest legal
protection."
DR SLVIA EARLE
"Gray whales face many
pressures, such as lack of food, coastal development and increasing ocean
noise. They need better protection."
JEAN-MICHEL
COUSTEAU
"And God created the great whales
there in Laguna San
Ignacio"
HOMERO ARIDJIS
"the possibility that we might drive these magnificent creatures into
extinction is unimaginable and unacceptable."
DARYL HANNAH
"Life began in the sea. So goes the whale...so goes
mankind. An effort to save the whales benefits us all."
BEAU
BRIDGES
"Thanks for leading the fight to save
the Gray
Whales"
ED BEGLEY JNR
"The Gray Whale is the
marine mammal symbol of California. It deserves to be protected and
honored. I support the creation of a "Whale of a Day" tribute to
this magnificent animal."
PRINCE FREDERIC VON ANHALT
"The Gray Whale faces a myriad of threats from climate change to sonar
testing and oil exploration. They need our help and the California Gray
Whale Coalition is a leading advocate for this important keystone
species."
PEDRO NAVA
"When we fully understand and begin to meet the threats to the
California Gray Whale, we will be addressing the problems that face North
America's entire Pacific coastal ecosystem."
LYNN WOOLSEY
"Saving the Gray Whales from extinction is an absolute must.
This magnificent, intelligent species cannot be allowed to perish from
this earth. If we ignore their plight we ignore the eventual impact
on all species, including our own, of the rapacious practices of mankind."
SARA WAN
"Gray whales need our immediate attention! Due to climate change,
their Arctic food supply is diminishing and the numbers of mother-calf
pairs on the long migration are the lowest in years."
DICK
RUSSELL
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