Dear Friend of Central Coast Marine Life,
The fight to protect and restore marine life on our coast is entering its final stages. We need your help to ensure that the California Coast is protected for future generations to use and enjoy.
ACTION NEEDED:
On August 2nd and 15th, the Fish and Game Commission will make critical decisions regarding a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) for the Central Coast. Their final decision is expected in December 2006. A good result in August will give us a big advantage. A bad one will be akin to being down four runs going into the ninth inning. The Commission will hold two public hearings regarding Central Coast MPAs in August. It is important that they hear from you – the public – before they make their decisions. Letters to the Commission are very important.
August 2, in Sacramento
The Commission will take public comment on alternative proposals for MPAs. One of these proposals, Package 2R, was developed by a broad coalition of divers, conservationists, local business owners, educators and fishermen. Package 2R would help restore marine life and enhance recreational opportunities while leaving large areas of coastal waters open for fishing. Package 3R, selected as the ‘preferred alternative’ by a Blue Ribbon Task Force convened by the Governor, provides less protection than Package 2R but reflects additional compromise between conservation and fishing interests. The Department of Fish and Game is now recommending its own plan, called Package P. Package P provides far less protection at key natural heritage sites like Año Nuevo and Point Sur and does little to enhance SCUBA diving at the most popular diving areas along the Monterey Peninsula and Carmel Bay. We know that a trip to Sacramento is a major commitment. If you can consider it, please reply to this email.
August 15, in Monterey
This is the big one. Finally the Commission is coming to us. For those who've been waiting to "pick their spot," this is the meeting to attend—where the Commission plans to adopt its preferred alternative. We must turn out in force to convince the Commissioners to adopt a better plan for the Monterey area. Please reply to this email if you can attend.
Write a Letter Today! Ask Friends to Write Letters! Put a Letter-writing session on your group or club's agenda!
Between now and July 25 we must deluge the Commission, and the Governor, with letters demanding marine reserves at the areas we care about, as part of a truly effective MPA plan for the entire coast. Personal, individualized letters are far more effective than form emails, so we're recommending you write a short but emphatic letter. Here are some points consider:
• Californians deserve nothing less than Package 2R and the Commission should pick Package 2R as its preferred alternative.
• Package P denies Marine Reserve protection to most of the popular recreational sites, as called for by divers and other non-consumptive ocean enthusiasts for thirteen years. Packages 2R and 3R would establish those reserves.
• Package P's reserves, like those of Package 1, are too small, risking the effectiveness of the entire MLPA effort.
• Package P provides far less protection at key natural heritage sites like Año Nuevo and Point Sur, than Package 2R, or the Task Force’s recommendation, Package 3R.
• Package 2R would place about 13% of state waters along the Central Coast in Marine Reserve (no take) status, leaving 87% open to some kind of fishing activity. Package 3R reduces reserves to under 10%, and Package P would fully protect only 8% of the Central Coast.
Your letters should go to:
California Fish and Game Commission
1416 Ninth Street
Sacramento, California 95814
FAX: (916) 653-5040
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX: (916) 445-4633
Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman
Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
Email addresses:
"California Fish and Game Commission" <fgc@fgc.ca.gov>
"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger" <governor@governor.ca.gov>
"Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman" <mike.chrisman@resources.ca.gov>
CC: letters@californiamarinereserves.org
The MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force adopted Package 3 as their “preferred alternative”, after modifying it to improve protections for non-consumptive dive sites. That left Package 2 still as the best overall plan for conservationAfter revisions by the Blue Ribbon Task Force, the Packages, now dubbed 1, 2R, and 3R (look under Binder VI when following this link) were voted upon. Package 3R received four votes and became the Task Force's recommendation. Package 2R received two votes, and Package 1 received no votes from the Task Force.
The Department of Fish and Game then took up its assigned role of producing a recommendation of its own. The Department had the option of ratifying the Task Force's preference, but instead chose to generate a new map, one that makes further compromises toward Package 1. The accommodations to fishing are most dramatic along the Monterey Peninsula: The Department’s "Package P" creates no reserve at Ricketts, no reserve along the PG Shore, and only a tiny offshore reserve over the offshore Pinnacles of Carmel Bay. This plan, if adopted, would frustrate a 13-year-long effort on the part of the diving community, and leave most of the valued dive sites to suffer further depletion of fish populations.
All four packages, 1, 2R, 3R, and P, are now in the hands of the Fish and Game Commission. The Commission will select a "Preferred Alternative" of its own on August 15, and make a final decision in early December. The selected "Preferred Alternative" will have a huge advantage going into the final decision process. Please write to the Commission today and plan to attend the hearings on August 2nd and 15th to tell the Commission you support a strong network of marine protected areas for the Centrral Coast.
Thanks for taking some of your valuable time to protect central coast marine life.
Very Gratefully,
Everyone at COOL
"The mission of the Coalition of Organizations for Ocean Life is to foster the creation of a network of marine reserves that will help restore, enhance and protect the diversity and abundance of California's marine life and underwater habitats, and to educate the public on the value of marine reserves and healthy oceans."
A partial list of our members and supporting businesses is available here.