News Archive

February 1, 2017

Contact: Louis Evans, (410) 841-3356

Carozza Statement on Nat. Aquarium’s Withdrawal of Baltimore Canyon Sanctuary

ANNAPOLIS – Delegate Mary Beth Carozza (District 38C) released the following statement in response to the National Aquarium CEO’s letter :

"After a strong community effort, the National Aquarium CEO has withdrawn its nomination for the Baltimore Canyon to be designated a marine sanctuary. Many thanks to all who took the time to share their concerns and opposition to this designation. We appreciate that any future conservation efforts by the National Aquarium will ensure early local involvement and partnership of our shared goal to protect our waters and way of life."

The content of the letter from the Baltimore Aquarium is as follows:

John Armor
Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1305 East-West Highway, 11th Floor
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Dear John,

After careful consideration, we have decided to withdraw our nomination for the Baltimore Canyon, our nation's first urban national marine sanctuary. Although we believe national marine sanctuary designation would provide an unprecedented opportunity to protect a national treasure and inspire young minds, we have determined that the timing is not right for this nomination. We know that the American public is increasingly concerned about the many risks facing our national waters, and we plan to use these next two years to gather further community input regarding the importance and value of providing permanent protection to treasures like the Baltimore Canyon. I look forward to the opportunity to work together again, and I applaud the selfless work of the National Marine Sanctuary System in protecting our nation’s marine and....