Recognizing the Importance of Healthy Oceans on World Oceans Day

California tidepools are fascinating and fragile. CDFW photo by C. Makeyev

CDFW research divers perform safety stops on an anchor line. CDFW photo by D. Stein

California Recreational Fisheries Survey staff conducts an interview in northern California. CDFW photo by E. Roberts

CDFW marine biologist conducts spiny lobster research in Southern California. CDFW photo

Please join the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in celebrating World Oceans Day! World Oceans Day occurs every year on June 8 to recognize the importance of the ocean and call attention to the need for sustainable ocean management.

This year’s theme is “Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing,” reminding us that what we enjoy about the ocean should not be taken for granted and that action is needed to maintain healthy marine ecosystems.

For CDFW, every day is Oceans Day. CDFW’s Marine Region helps to manage and conserve the state’s marine resources in a variety of ways. Our efforts to help ensure sustainable fisheries led to the recent opening of fishing grounds, and the ability to fish for rehabilitated rockfish stocks. We work to protect iconic marine habitats like our California kelp forests, and California’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network is the largest ecologically connected MPA network in the world, setting a global standard.

For the MPA Network’s recent ten-year anniversary, CDFW released the first comprehensive Decadal Management Review. Thanks to the MPA Network, California is well on its way to achieving 30×30, a statewide initiative to conserve 30 percent of lands and coastal waters by 2030 in alignment with national and international goals.

Kelp forests are an important part of the ocean’s food web . CDFW photo by A. Maguire

CDFW Marine Region and Law Enforcement staff at a Southern California outreach event. CDFW photo

Lingcod captures a rockfish, a favorite prey item of large lingcod. CDFW photo

CDFW marine biologist extracts contents from a larval crab trap. CDFW photo

It’s also the perfect day to take a virtual dive into the kelp forest at Point Lobos State Marine Reserve with California State Parks during their live dive event! This World Oceans Day, let’s celebrate the things we’ve already achieved, and take the opportunity to plan for a future that prioritizes healthy oceans and coasts.

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post by CDFW Marine Region staff