Environment California played a significant role in offsetting industry opposition to many of the bills—in addition to direct advocacy and mobilizing public support through our citizen outreach efforts, on September 21st, we delivered over 20,000 public comments submitted by Californians throughout the state that urged the governor to sign the oceans protection legislation on his desk.
The Environment California Save Our Ocean Legacy Legislation signed by the Governor includes:
AB 2093 - Bans 'Graywater' Dumping by Cruise Ships
'Graywater' is the water drained from dishwashers, showers, laundry machines, and baths. Each day, cruise ships that travel the coast of California can dump as much as 255,000 gallons of graywater into the oceans off California's coast. This waste can contain pollution such as bacteria, food waste, oil and grease, detergents, pesticides and toxic metals. AB 2093 prohibits any cruise ship from dumping 'graywater' into state marine waters and subjects violators of this new law to a maximum fine of $25,000.
AB 2672 - Bans Sewage Dumping by Cruise Ships
Human sewage can carry enteric bacteria, pathogens, diseases, viruses, the eggs of intestinal parasites, and harmful nutrients. Discharges of untreated or inadequately treated sewage from ships can cause bacterial and viral contamination of commercial and recreational shellfish beds, producing serious risk to public health. AB 2672 prohibits cruise ships from dumping sewage into marine waters off the coast of California.
SB 1459 - Restricts 'Clearcutting' of Ocean Floor
Bottom trawling is the practice of towing fishing nets along or near the bottom of the ocean floor, in order to catch bottom-dwelling species of fish. Inherently destructive for life along the ocean floor, bottom trawling tangles large numbers of non-target species in nets, resulting in unnecessary death and injury for marine life. SB 1459 restricts bottom trawling by moving it further offshore, banning new permits for bottom trawling, and requiring increased use of safer technology.
SB 512 - Increases environmental voice in protecting against overfishing
This bill will allow more representation from environmental groups and the scientific community on the Pacific Fishery Management Council, an important agency that advises federal fisheries policy. Currently, only fishing industry representatives may be nominated by the Governor for these seats.
AB 2529 - Strengthens protections for sensitive ecological areas off California's coast
Establishes a program for ecologically sensitive 'Marine Managed Areas' that will award grants to local public agencies and nonprofit organizations to restore and protect the water quality and environment of ecologically sensitive areas off California's coast.
SB 1319 - Strengthens protections for oceans off coast of California
This bill creates the Ocean Protection Council and authorizes the Council to carry out various programs relating to the protection of coastal waters and ocean ecosystems. The bill also declares that coastal waters and ocean ecosystems are natural resources held in trust by the state for the people of the state.
AB 2514 - Increases available funding for ocean protection projects
Increases fees for renewal of environmental license plates and authorizes revenue generated by the California Environmental License Plate law to be expended on activities initiated by the Ocean Protection Council.