E-Letter #3, December 3, 2003

Dear Supporter,

It's been too long since you've heard from me and COOL about our progress toward establishing marine reserves in California. We've been quiet, in part, because there's been little news to report on either state or federal efforts.

The California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) calls for a network of new reserves, as well as underwater parks where sport fishing would be allowed but commercial fishing would be prohibited. The Act calls for these new reserves and parks to be in place by the end of next year. Right now, the Department of Fish and Game, the agency responsible for implementing the MLPA, is suffering deep cuts due to the state budget crisis, and is not devoting resources to the process. We hope the new, incoming gubernatorial administration will restart the MLPA planning process. Soon the governor will name a new director for the Department of Fish and Game. When he does, we’ll be asking you to write him or her and voice your support for implementing the MLPA.

On the federal level, national marine sanctuaries also have the authority to create marine reserves. Back in July, you made a big impact at a critical meeting of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. Among the issues being heard at that public comment meeting was to determine whether, and to what extent, the Sanctuary should be involved in establishing marine reserves. As those of you who attended the meeting know, the decision on marine reserves was postponed to allow the working group on Special Marine Protected Areas to continue their discussion and reach consensus on the Draft Action Plan. That group has now come to consensus, and the full Sanctuary Advisory Council will vote on the plan at its meeting in Half Moon Bay this Friday, December 5. We'll be at that Sanctuary Advisory Council meeting on Friday to monitor the vote, and relay the results to you promptly.

Thank you to all who attended that meeting on July 30, 2003, and testified or submitted written comments. The turnout was impressive - over 300 members of the public attended the meeting, which lasted until nearly midnight. Members of the Council heard from more than 100 citizens, many of whom voiced support for increased protection of the Sanctuary. Thanks for your time, your participation, and especially your energy. We also want to thank four Santa Cruz County businesses for their contributions to our success that evening: Metro Santa Cruz, New Leaf Markets, Bay Photo Lab, and Palace Art & Office Supply. These companies donated materials and services essential to that effort, and we encourage you to thank them with your patronage.
What you can do now:

1) Contact members of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council TODAY and let them know you want them to vote FOR the Resolution on Marine Protected Areas, and to move forward on creating reserves and other MPA's.
A contact list for the Sanctuary Advisory Council can be found on the :
Sanctuary Website.
2) Write to our new governor and let him know your support marine reserves and want to see implementation of the MLPA made a priority of his administration. You can contact Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger at:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
governor@governor.ca.gov

PS This is our third E-Letter to our supporters. You may read our E-Letter archives online.
PPS COOL and its member organizations will use your email address only to keep you informed about Marine Reserves in California, and related developments. We will never share this list with anyone else. Please ask your friends to register their support for new reserves at our Sign-up page.