Establishing a Baseline
Designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2024, the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS) protects 4,543 square miles of ecologically and culturally rich waters along 116 miles of California’s Central Coast. As the first tribal-nominated national marine sanctuary, CHNMS acknowledges the cultural and environmental significance to the Chumash Peoples, who have cared for and been part of coastal ecosystems since time immemorial. This project supports a broader effort to conduct an environmental baseline assessment of the sanctuary, which includes key habitats, species presence, and oceanographic conditions.
Caroline and Halia established a baseline of marine mammal presence within sanctuary boundaries by consolidating spatial data sources into a database to confirm the occurrence of species that migrate, feed, or live year-round in sanctuary waters. Additionally, they developed a 16-page marine mammal guidebook that features species descriptions, safe wildlife viewing practices, a seasonal viewing calendar, and information on the ecological importance of marine mammals. These materials aim to enhance public understanding of local marine mammal species and promote ocean stewardship. Baseline assessments like this will also inform the sanctuary’s first Condition Report and Climate Vulnerability Assessment, which guide long-term management and conservation strategies for the region.
Halia and Caroline’s Impacts:
- Reviewed literature on National Marine Sanctuary management and marine mammal presence along the Central Coast
- Compiled a database of confirmed marine mammal species in CHNMS using NOAA reports, spatial data, and scientific publications
- Designed a marine mammal species booklet for public outreach and education purposes
- Created an ArcGIS map to highlight common marine mammal sighting areas throughout the sanctuary
