Biden Administration Establishes Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

New sanctuary along California's coast will protect 4,543 square miles of marine habitat and prohibit offshore oil drilling.

The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary spans 116 miles of coastline in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
This is the first national marine sanctuary proposed by a American tribe, with the Northern Chumash Tribe leading the effort.
The sanctuary will be managed in cooperation with tribal communities, integrating Indigenous knowledge and values.
Commercial and recreational fishing will continue under existing regulations, but new offshore oil drilling and undersea mining will be banned.
Future expansions of the sanctuary are possible after the installation of offshore wind energy infrastructure.