Committee Examines US Marine Sanctuaries Act

A congressional subcommittee hearing was held at UCSB on 11/3 to discuss reauthorizing the U.S. Marine Sanctuaries Act. Passed in 1972, the legislation has been up for renewal since 2005. Eight witnesses testified at the hearing, all overwhelmingly in favor of sanctuaries and marine protected areas save one-Jim Martin, of the Recreational Fishing Alliance. Representative Lois Capps called for more education and outreach encouraging people to support ocean preservation.