A Sheltered Sea
Encouraging People to Protect and Sustain the Ocean for Our Future

The Southern Passage
The Baum Foundation and Coyote Films have completed their second short film, A Sheltered Sea—The Southern Passage, about the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative along the California coast. The film highlights the activities taking place in the South Coast Region from Point Conception to Mexico. The Southern Passage features the collective benefits and challenges of creating a network of underwater parks, or Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), that protect and sustain marine ecosystems and shows how MPAs can positively effect all people, from environmental groups to the fishing industry alike. Despite the challenges facing the region, the film speaks to the importance of setting aside these areas to protect and sustain our ocean heritage for future generations.

Journey of the Marine Life Protection Act
Produced by The Baum Foundation and directed by William Bayne of Coyote Films, A Sheltered Sea illuminates the pioneering conservation action taking place along the coast of California as the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) is implemented to form this country's first statewide network of marine protected areas. Created in response to long-term overfishing and new pressures from pollution and climate change, the MLPA brings together diverse stakeholders—fishermen, conservationists, scientists, government, divers, and ocean-loving citizens—in a process to set aside marine refuges akin to our country's national parks.

Livelihoods, the future of marine species, and coastal access hang in the balance, awaiting the outcome. The film explains why everyone holds a genuine stake in this process and tells how people can participate in this historic effort to conserve California's ocean as a public trust.