GSIPM

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to Welcome the Vaka in Appreciation of Their Commitment

Monterey, California – August 11, 2011 – A group of Pacific Islanders, called the Pacific Voyagers, have traveled from New Zealand to California on vaka moanas, boats of ancient Polynesian tradition, to renew their commitment to healthy ecosystems for future generations.  They will be landing at Del Monte Beach in Monterey at approximately noon on Friday, August 12^th and will be greeted by representatives from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 

Staff from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA’s West Coast Regional Office of Marine Sanctuaries and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will welcome the visitors to the Sanctuary upon their arrival. The Sanctuary will also present the Pacific Voyagers with a certificate of appreciate for the group’s commitment to ocean stewardship. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS), designated in 1992, is a federally protected marine area offshore of California’s central coast. Like the Pacific Voyagers, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s mission is to understand and protect our ecosystem.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is part of NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary System. Stretching from Marin to Cambria, the MBNMS encompasses a shoreline length of 276 miles and 6,094 square miles of ocean. Known as the “Serengeti of the Sea” and supporting one of the world’s most productive and diverse marine ecosystems, it is home to a variety of marine mammals, seabirds, fishes, invertebrates and plants. The MBNMS was established for the purpose of protecting and preserving this vital area as well as ensuring its sustainable use, conducting and coordinating ongoing research, and offering educational opportunities to foster stewardship for this national treasure.

Media Contact:
Deirdre Whalen
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Phone: 831-455-6556
Email: Deirdre.Whalen@noaa.gov