Three national marine sanctuaries along the central California coast will receive more protection from vessel collisions, groundings and hazardous spills under a deal sealed Thursday by the United Nations' International Maritime Organization and U.S. officials to steer large ships farther offshore. The agreement will also modify routes in and out of major ports. This cooperative effort allowed the group to reach consensus on the vessel traffic recommendations and stands as a model for resolving other resource management issues around the country. More than 4,000 large vessels travel along the central California coast every year, most within 2.5 miles to 15 miles from the shoreline of the Monterey Bay sanctuary. Fuel and cargo aboard the huge ships pose a potential risk of catastrophic spills.
Prevention is better than crisis remediation.
The proposal also extends separation lanes for traffic in the western end of the Santa Barbara Channel and modifies the southernmost approach into San Francisco Bay farther offshore to reduce the risk of grounding. The U.N.'s IMO recently signed off on the shipping lane proposal after a two-year collaborative effort led by the Monterey Bay national marine sanctuary and the U.S. Coast Guard. In response to growing awareness of the value of America's coastal waters, Congress passed the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act in 1972. The act authorized the designation of national marine sanctuaries to protect significant waters, secure habitat for aquatic species, shelter historically significant shipwrecks and other cultural resources, and serve as valuable spots for research, fishing, wildlife viewing, boating and tourism. In 1980, a portion of the Santa Barbara Channel was given protected status as a marine sanctuary.