Pelosi Statement on Bill Protecting Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

Contact:Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1187, the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act:

"The Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries encompass almost 1,800 square miles of open ocean and coastal waters west of the Golden Gate Bridge. H.R. 1187, introduced by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, will expand the Sanctuaries by an additional 1,000 square miles off of the Sonoma and Mendocino County coasts to protect additional spawning, nursing and feeding grounds for migrating whales, seals, sharks, fish and seabirds.

"These critical marine areas need our protection, and I commend Congresswoman Woolsey for her efforts to preserve these areas and protect the diverse animal populations that reside in them. The bipartisan legislation is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, fishermen, business developments groups and environmental advocates."