Supplementary Information to E-LETTER #13 FROM The Coalition of Organizations for Ocean Life

HISTORY

In 1999, California passed the first law of its kind in the country-the Marine Life Protection Act, or MLPA.  The MLPA requires the state to improve the way it sets aside marine areas for enhanced protection. The MLPA was supported by scientists, divers, educators, fishermen, and conservation organizations. Surveys show that Californians across the state want more protection for the oceans.

In 2004, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that implementation of the MLPA would be one of his top priorities.  In 2005, the state took a new approach to combine science with public input. So far, the state has set up:

•            a high-level Blue Ribbon Task Force to develop a framework for implementing the law

•            a “Regional Stakeholder Group” which developed the original packages of maps

•            an extensive public participation process

•            an advisory team of biologists, economists, and other scientific experts

The initial focus is on establishing a network of MPA sites on California’s central coast from Pigeon Point (San Mateo Co.) to Point Conception.  Future efforts will focus on the remainder of the state. 

LATEST NEWS

Most of you followed the action as the Regional Stakeholder Group hammered out three alternative maps for Central Coast Marine Protected Areas. One of those, Package 2, was supported by a diverse group of scientists, local business owners, fishermen, citizens and conservationists. It was drawn carefully to minimize impact on fishing, and included many painful compromises. Package 2R received the highest marks in an evaluation by scientific experts. It improves recreation on and near our coastal ocean, and improves opportunities for businesses serving divers, beach-goers and wildlife watchers. Package 1 was a proposal from fishing interests, and Package 3 was an attempt to split the difference. In effect, it further compromised the compromises already built into Package 2.

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.