Panetta, veterans take cruise to raise awareness

Monterey Bay >> Combining ocean stewardship with military veterans, Congressman Jimmy Panetta joined more than two dozen Central Coast veterans for a cruise in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to celebrate "Vet Into Your Sanctuary."

Panetta, a veteran himself, and sanctuary staff took 26 area veterans on a voyage aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research ship Fulmar on Sunday as part of the annual "Get Into Your Sanctuary" initiative aimed at promoting awareness about the value of sanctuaries. They watched more than 30 humpback whales lunge, feeding on anchovies. Veterans learned how to record their whale sightings using Whale Alert, a free mobile app available to the public that helps in research and protection.

"Our community is fortunate to have a national marine sanctuary right here in our backyard. It is my honor to support our local veterans as they visit and learn more about this national treasure," Panetta said in a press release on the event. "As a veteran, I understand the sense of service to our country and community ingrained in these men and women. Through this opportunity, they can continue to serve by working to protect our environment and ocean. Importantly, they can also receive the therapeutic care that they may need through recreational opportunities in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, from whale watching to hands-on research to just enjoying getting out on the water. It is great to be able to highlight together two of the many qualities we value here on the Central Coast — the service of our veterans and the sanctity of our oceans."

The public is invited to participate in "Get Into Your Sanctuary" on Saturday and discover recreational opportunities in the sanctuary by attending hands-on events at sanctuary visitor centers in Santa Cruz and San Simeon. For more information go to https://bit.ly/2vvwwA3