The purpose of this handbook is to provide California’s ocean users, including boaters, fishermen, wildlife watchers, kayakers, whale watching and nature-tourism operators with clear and concise information about existing federal and state laws pertaining to California’s marine wildlife and general agency accepted marine wildlife responsible viewing and stewardship principles. The goals of this handbook are to:

• promote voluntary compliance with existing federal and state wildlife protection laws and regulations;
• raise public awareness among California’s ocean user groups and visitors about responsible viewing and stewardship principles; and
• promote communication and coordination between and among California’s ocean user groups and the federal and state agencies responsible for marine wildlife protection and conservation.

• Responsibly Watching California's Marine Wildlife