WHEREAS, Our identity as Californians is inextricably tied to the Pacific Ocean and our majestic coastline; and

WHEREAS, The ocean is an essential habitat and natural resource that supports California’s incredible array of marine life, as well as its $44 billion ocean economy; and

WHEREAS, The ocean provides a nature-based solution for the climate crisis by absorbing 90 percent of the warming of our planet; and

WHEREAS, Protecting the unique biodiversity of the ocean builds resilience of habitats and species over time; and

WHEREAS, The ocean delivers multiple societal benefits, including the food we eat, the medicine we rely on, the jobs that sustain our communities, and cultural connectivity; and

WHEREAS, The ocean holds social, cultural, and traditional significance, especially to the original stewards of this land, the indigenous communities of California, who have protected the ocean for centuries and continue to do so in the present day; and

WHEREAS, California’s coastal counties are home to 68 percent of the state’s population; and

WHEREAS, The ocean is a major attraction for millions of Californians, providing an array of recreational opportunities that are important to local economies and promoting a strong connection to place and overall human well-being; and

WHEREAS, California’s ocean and coastal resources require careful management in the face of climate change and other ocean- and land-based stressors; and

WHEREAS, Inequitable access to the ocean and coast by Black, Indigenous, People of Color, low-income, and marginalized communities has been historically unaddressed; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature has a responsibility to center equity and strengthen partnerships with California’s diverse communities in ensuring a healthy ocean for future generations; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes the dedication and commitment to our ocean by all of the participants in World Oceans Day, including legislators, legislative staff, state agency officials, and ocean advocates from across the state; now, therefore, be it