California's Central Coast Has a New Marine Sanctuary—and It Protects Important Species Like Sea Otters, Blue Whales, and Abalone

A new marine sanctuary protects part of California’s Central Coast—and honors the land’s original stewards.

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 65 words · Joshua Taylor

I picked my way across tide pools, keeping an eye out for octopuses hiding between rocks.

Its an honor to carry his legacy forward.

Indigenous-led tours of the sanctuary are coming soon.

A woman standing by the seashore.

Violet Sage Walker, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council chairwoman, in Pismo Beach, California.Credit:NIC COURY/The New York Times/Redux

A sea otter in California.

A sea otter, one of many species native to that part of the state.Robert Schwemmer, NOAA