Episode 027 - Ashley Blacow-Draeger Highlights Oceana’s Deep Sea Coral Reef Project
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Show Notes
In this episode Ashley talks about vibrantly colored coral gardens, sponge beds, and rocky reefs thrive in the cold and deep waters off the U.S. West Coast and provide areas for feeding, breeding, and shelter for important fish species.
In her project they found delicate corals that are at risk of being crushed and destroyed by a fishing practice called bottom trawling, which uses heavy gear to catch fish that live along the seafloor.
Through dedicated campaigning and seafloor habitat expeditions with remotely operated vehicles, Oceana’s science and legal expertise with public engagement resulted in the protection of more than 140,000 square miles of beautiful and diverse seafloor habitats off California, Oregon, and Washington in 2018.
These amazing seafloor protections are a shared accomplishment of Oceana’s entire Pacific Team across the Monterey, Portland and Juneau offices which includes dedicated and talented scientists, attorneys, GIS specialists, and amazing support from wonderful administrative and Vice Presidential colleagues integral to this success.
We talked about how to celebrate a huge multi-year project and the upcoming victory for the sea floor protection. Before this all goes through there is still one more step before the celebration happens!
We need YOUR HELP!
CALL TO ACTION
Make sure to sign the online letter of support for these new living seafloor protections for interested members of the public. The deadline to comment is August 10
Connect with Ashley & Oceana
Twitter @Oceana_Pacific and @oceana
Facebook @OceanaPacific and @oceana
https://usa.oceana.org/
www.oceana.org/PacificSeafloor
