Section 7593.5.

(a) October 15, 2013, and every October 15 thereafter, is hereby designated as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day.

(b) The Legislature encourages California public schools to include Pacific leatherback sea turtles in their teaching lessons and curriculum whenever possible.

(c) The Legislature encourages state and federal agencies, nongovernmental agencies, fishers, coastal tour operators, and other interested stakeholders to establish and participate in a statewide, voluntary Pacific leatherback sea turtle watch to record sightings of the Pacific leatherback sea turtle in California and West Coast waters.

(d) The Legislature encourages state and federal agencies to build cooperative relationships with the Western Pacific island nations where Pacific leatherback sea turtles return to nest in order to increase awareness and conservation of this critically endangered species.

(e) The Legislature urges state and federal agencies to take proactive conservation measures and prevent further threats to Pacific leatherback sea turtles and their habitats.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 591, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2013.)