Support Bill to Save California Sea Otters
- von: Care2
- empfänger: California State Senators
The southern sea otter -- one of California's most beloved critters -- is in trouble, but members of California's Senate Appropriations Committee can help save them.
Oil spills and other pollution, habitat degradation, and food scarcity are making it harder and harder for sea otters to continue their recovery from near extinction, but even worse, increasing numbers of sea otters are dying from disease and parasites.
Just over 2,700 sea otters now live in California. And, unfortunately, their long, slow recovery has stalled in recent years.
Sea otters are not only one of the cutest creatures off our shores, they are a key indicator of marine health. By feeding on sea urchins and other kelp grazers, they help keep the nearshore marine ecosystem healthy and balanced.
A key bill, introduced in the State Assembly, co-authored by Assemblyman Dave Jones (Sacramento) and Assemblyman John Laird (Santa Cruz), addresses some of these threats. The passage of bill AB 2485 would be a critical step in saving our sea otters and safeguarding California's coastal ecosystems.
The bill has already has bipartisan support and has passed the California Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, the Revenue and Taxation Committee, and the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
THE BILL HAS BEEN PASSED! GREAT WORK!
I am writing in support of bill AB 2485 -- a landmark bill introduced by Assemblyman Dave Jones and Assemblyman John Laird funding research and protection efforts for the our sea otters.
This bill will aid the southern sea otter by:
* creating a research program focused on further reducing sea otter deaths;
* changing cat litter packaging to discourage the flushing of cat litter, potentially reducing a key source of a deadly parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, in waste water;
* establishing a fund, through 50% of the tax check-off funds, for the California Department of Fish and Game to access so that all game wardens can work on sea otter issues;
* increasing fines and penalties for the harming of sea otters up to $25,000; and
* establishing a tax check off benefiting sea otter research and protection.
I strongly urge you to support and pass AB 2485.
I look forward to hearing from you on this matter and thank you for considering my comments.
