August 20, 2004
Newport Beach California

On June 4, 2004 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger asked Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman and CalEPA Secretary Terry Tamminen to produce an Ocean Action Plan for California. The request was in response to two recently released national commission reports on ocean health. This Plan will provide a blueprint to guide the Governor's future actions on ocean issues. A 39-page Draft plan has been produced. The Governor invited public comment on the Draft plan. Two public workshops were held to accept testimony: One on Thursday August 19 (San Francisco) and one on Friday August 20 (Newport Beach).

The following is Jean-Michel Cousteau’s testimony, presented on August 20, 2004 in Newport Beach California. All comments will be taken into consideration for the release of the final Plan document on September 4, 2004.

For an overview of the California Ocean Resources Management Program, click here

To view the Draft Ocean Action Plan, click here

Read Jean-Michel Cousteau's speech transcript - click here