Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

In this week's roundup of local news: the Timber Fire grows in Big Sur, leaders address immigration enforcement concerns, Monterey Car Week makes charitable donations, and more.

Big Sur's Timber Fire has exceeded 4,500 acres, but some people have stayed. And, a strong El Niño will continue warming Central Coast waters and likely bring marine visitors.

In this episode of Monterey Bay This Week, stories about an extended ban on red abalone harvesting, resisting Trump administration efforts to cancel research grants and move forward with offshore drilling and mining, and more.

The co-owner of Monterey Bay's only abalone farm and a research ecologist with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary weigh in on a unanimous decision by the California Fish and Game Commission to extend a ban on red abalone harvesting until April 2036.

Monterey County joins Santa Cruz and Sonoma counties in opposing the Trump Administration's plans for offshore drilling and mining. Plus, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and other local groups host a "people's hearing" about the drilling plans on Friday, January 9, at 6pm at the Portola Hotel in Monterey.

The Marine Mammal Center opposes a reauthorization bill to weaken the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act. And, the City of Marina urges the California Public Utilities Commission to reject a proposed desalination plant.

A Monterey County Supervisor says Big Sur is strongly protected in the face of a federal budget bill hoping to sell off over 200 million acres of national public lands. And, Congressman Jimmy Panetta says he will fight offshore drilling proposals in Monterey Bay as the Trump Administration plans to approve oil and gas projects in National Marine Sanctuaries.

The $38.5 million Edward “Ted” Taylor Science and Engineering Building is expected to open in June 2027.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary began a two-year project, funded by a state grant, that will sample rivers, nearby beaches, ocean water and marine life for microplastics.

Welcome to KAZU's weekly news roundup for 9/25/20 where you'll find the top local stories of the week and a few select national stories from NPR.The…