california

Speak Up for California’s Marine Life Today

Posted Mon, Mar 21, 2011 by Emily Fisher to california, forage fish, herring, humpback whales, krill, prey species

Humpback whale. [Image via Wikimedia Commons.]

Humpback whales flock to the California coast, searching for herring, krill, and other small tasty fish. But these small fish, also known as forage fish, are dwindling in numbers due to fishing pressure, pollution, and demand for feed in the agriculture and aquaculture industries, among other threats.

There is currently legislation pending in the California State Assembly that highlights the importance of prey fish and calls for a scientific approach to fishing for them. Right now there is no consistent state policy governing management of forage species, but with your help we can change that.

Today is the last day to speak up for these important creatures - Tell the California State Assembly to support better management of forage species.

A Win for California!

Posted Fri, Nov 5, 2010 by Ashley Blacow to action, california, prop 23

California voters successfully defeated Proposition 23 that would have essentially repealed California’s landmark climate change legislation. The Wavemakers of California sent a strong message to Texas oil companies Valero and Tesoro and the California Legislature that we want clean air, clean energy, and we want to protect our oceans.

Thanks to you, California can continue to move forward to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions-ultimately, keeping the world on the right path to reduce the impacts of ocean acidification and other climate induced effects including sea level rise, changes in species distribution, and loss of ocean habitats.

A Proposition to Protect California’s Parks

Posted Fri, Oct 22, 2010 by Ashley Blacow to california, marine protected areas, parks, proposition 21, vote, wildlife

The California coast near Monterey. (via Wikimedia Commons)

California’s Parks System faced collapse last year and the picture for the coming years looks grim.

Enter Proposition 21, a statewide ballot initiative that offers hope to help ensure our 278 state parks and beaches stay up and running and our wildlife and marine resources are protected. Prop 21 establishes a stable, reliable and adequate funding source through an $18 increase in the California vehicle registration fee. These funds will be directly deposited into a State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund and can only be used for operation of state parks and protection of ocean resources and wildlife.

Celebs to Showcase Ping-Pong Skills for the Oceans

Posted Thu, Sep 23, 2010 by Emily Fisher to california, celebrities, Charity, events, hollywood, paddlejam, ping pong, table tennis

A lot of cool charity events have taken place in our honor, but never has one been ping-pong themed. Until now.

This Sunday, at the 2010 PaddleJam in Hollywood, CA, celebs will showcase their table tennis skills while raising money for their favorite non-profits, including Oceana, Rock the Vote, Equality CA, The Humane Society, Ann and George Lopez Foundation and Habitat for Humanity. Celebrities attending include George Lopez, Jesse Williams of “Grey’s Anatomy”, and Zachary Levi of “Chuck.”

So if you live in LA, check it out! Here are the deets:

Ocean Hero Finalists: Cindy and Ted Walter

Posted Wed, May 5, 2010 by Emily Fisher to california, cindy and ted walter, ocean hero finalists, ocean heroes, passionfish restaurant, sustainable seafood, vote

cindy and ted walter

Image courtesy Cindy and Ted Walter.

This is the fourth in a series of posts about this year’s Ocean Heroes finalists.

Today’s finalists are helping the oceans through one of my favorite things -- food. Chef Ted Walter and his wife, Cindy Walter, co-own Passionfish restaurant in Pacific Grove, CA, and the name is fitting -- they share a passion for sustainable seafood.

The Walters, who have strict policies for their seafood purchases, use their restaurant as a forum for discussion, education, and exploration of topics in sustainability. 

At Passionfish, which was declared Monterey County's first "green" restaurant, Chef Ted Walter incorporates local, sustainable seafood and fresh, local, organic produce. Ted trained as a classic French chef in restaurants across the country before returning to his native Monterey County to open Passionfish in 1997.