The Thank You Ocean campaign has partnered with actor and activist Edward James Olmos to help raise ocean awareness and promote stewardship. Olmos will serve as English- and Spanish-language spokesperson in a series of 30- and 60-second radio and TV public service announcements.

Olmos draws attention to the unprecedented threats the ocean faces from climate change, water pollution, marine life decline and marine debris. “There’s no excuse for trashing our ocean,” he says. “It’s up to you and me to take a stand and do something to stop it.”

The Thank You Ocean Campaign is a nonprofit partnership supported by the State of California, the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the Ocean Communicators Alliance.

“The donation of Mr. Olmos’ time, talent and influence to the Thank You Ocean campaign is a valuable contribution,” said NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco. “Improving the health of the ocean is a challenge that affects us all, and these compelling announcements encourage the public to be a part of the solution.”

The PSAs are designed to reach Spanish- and English-speaking listeners in California through broadcast media and sweep online audiences globally through social media community placements. The Spanish-language PSA will first air in the Los Angeles market on station KLVE - K-Love 107.5 FM (the number one Spanish radio station in Los Angles), beginning Dec. 7 and running through the end of the month.

The campaign also launched the Spanish language version of the Web site, with support of the California Coastal Commission’s Whale Tail Grant program. The PSAs will broadcast on both the Spanish and English Thank You Ocean Web sites and related social media channels: Twitter Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.

“Our ocean provides 408,000 jobs in California alone,” said Mike Chrisman, California’s Secretary for Natural Resources. “It's a vital resource that gives us so much, but we could do more to return the favor. It’s not that people are intentionally harming the ocean; many simply don’t understand how their actions impact its health. We believe that the inspirational message by Mr. Olmos will encourage people throughout California, and maybe the world, to protect it."

Edward James Olmos is an actor, producer, director and recognized humanitarian. The Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe Award-winning actor may best be known for such films as “Stand and Deliver” and “Mi Familia” and the television series “Miami Vice” and “Battlestar Galactica.” An avid supporter of many environmental issues, Olmos was the campaign’s first choice to reach California’s Spanish-speaking communities with the “Thank You Ocean” message. As an activist and advocate for Latino culture, he supports education and outreach to stimulate community awareness and improve the human condition.