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North Coast Agencies Protest Governor's Fast-Track MLPA Process
On Monday July 20, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District sent a letter signed by three North Coast counties and numerous local governments to California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Mike Chrisman asking for a delay in the implementation Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's corrupt fast-track Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA).
Media Release
For Immediate Release
07/21/09
North Coast Government Agencies Protest Rush to Create Marine Reserves
Contact: Adam Wagschal; Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District; (707) 443-0801
On Monday July 20, 2009 the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District (District) forwarded a letter signed by three North Coast counties and numerous local governments to California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Mike Chrisman asking for a delay in implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). Although the entities signing on to the letter agree that additional steps to conserve coastal resources are desirable, none believe that the current MLPA Initiative process has sufficient data for decision support or the funds necessary for implementation.
The MLPA North Coast Study Region spans over 200 miles of coast line from the Oregon border to just north of Point Arena. Signatories on the letter include all three counties (Humboldt, Del Norte and Mendocino), five cities (Crescent City, Trinidad, Eureka, Fortuna and Point Arena), all harbor districts (Crescent City, Humboldt Bay, Noyo), the Shelter Cove Resort Improvement District and the Trinidad Rancheria. The letter was voted on and unanimously endorsed by boards representing each of these agencies. The letter, with authorized signatures, can be read at http://humboldtbay.org/harbordistrict/protected-area-workgroup/.
The MLPA Initiative process creates Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that ban all or most types of recreational and commercial fishing. Some areas, known as "Special Closures" even ban non-fishing boat, surfing and kayak traffic. North Coast governmental agencies all share concerns that economic impacts related to these potential closures will not be properly evaluated or considered. Those signing the letter requesting MLPA delay are also concerned about the membership of a Blue Ribbon Task Force that would evaluate North Coast MPA proposals and recommend their own option to the California Fish and Game Commission. This task force is not part of the original MLPA legislation, no members are from the North Coast region, and none have special knowledge or training that would give scientific weight to their opinion.
The same governmental agencies signing on to the letter will continue to participate in the Harbor District’s North Coast Local-Interest Marine Protected Area Work Group. Additionally, due to the overwhelming response from these north coast local agencies, the District will be asking these agencies, and others, to consider a Memorandum of Agreement forming a “North Coast Local Agency Coastal Coordination Committee”. The Coordination Committee would coordinate responses to regional issues including, but not limited to, the State of California’s MLPA; climate change and sea level rise; regional coastal sediment management; coordination of ocean observing systems; ocean energy; and marine highways.
###
For Immediate Release
07/21/09
North Coast Government Agencies Protest Rush to Create Marine Reserves
Contact: Adam Wagschal; Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District; (707) 443-0801
On Monday July 20, 2009 the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District (District) forwarded a letter signed by three North Coast counties and numerous local governments to California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Mike Chrisman asking for a delay in implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). Although the entities signing on to the letter agree that additional steps to conserve coastal resources are desirable, none believe that the current MLPA Initiative process has sufficient data for decision support or the funds necessary for implementation.
The MLPA North Coast Study Region spans over 200 miles of coast line from the Oregon border to just north of Point Arena. Signatories on the letter include all three counties (Humboldt, Del Norte and Mendocino), five cities (Crescent City, Trinidad, Eureka, Fortuna and Point Arena), all harbor districts (Crescent City, Humboldt Bay, Noyo), the Shelter Cove Resort Improvement District and the Trinidad Rancheria. The letter was voted on and unanimously endorsed by boards representing each of these agencies. The letter, with authorized signatures, can be read at http://humboldtbay.org/harbordistrict/protected-area-workgroup/.
The MLPA Initiative process creates Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that ban all or most types of recreational and commercial fishing. Some areas, known as "Special Closures" even ban non-fishing boat, surfing and kayak traffic. North Coast governmental agencies all share concerns that economic impacts related to these potential closures will not be properly evaluated or considered. Those signing the letter requesting MLPA delay are also concerned about the membership of a Blue Ribbon Task Force that would evaluate North Coast MPA proposals and recommend their own option to the California Fish and Game Commission. This task force is not part of the original MLPA legislation, no members are from the North Coast region, and none have special knowledge or training that would give scientific weight to their opinion.
The same governmental agencies signing on to the letter will continue to participate in the Harbor District’s North Coast Local-Interest Marine Protected Area Work Group. Additionally, due to the overwhelming response from these north coast local agencies, the District will be asking these agencies, and others, to consider a Memorandum of Agreement forming a “North Coast Local Agency Coastal Coordination Committee”. The Coordination Committee would coordinate responses to regional issues including, but not limited to, the State of California’s MLPA; climate change and sea level rise; regional coastal sediment management; coordination of ocean observing systems; ocean energy; and marine highways.
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Fellow fishermen,
We are concluding the Southern California MLPA closures. It has been a painful and but learning experience. Part of your coast will be closed regardless of what you do. The best strategy is get organized.
The southern California Divers took notes from the central coast MLPA experience.
We learned during the So-Cal and Cen-Cal MPA process:
1) Eco-trust cannot be trusted. They distributed confidential fishing reports to anti-fishing groups.
2) DFG does not have fishermens backs
3) NRDC, “keeper groups” ( coast keeper, bay keeper, ....), and Surf rider do not like divers, fishermen or spearfishermen
5) The anti- consumptives primary strategy is divide and conquer. Separate recreational from commercial fishermen lie to both groups and close both fishing areas. NRDC will go for every point, every large reef, and every estuary with all their cronies singing "All the fish are gone", " We must take all their habitats" "Save our Ocean" "Think Big" and guess what, the commission believes them.
6) Socio Economic impact is no important to the BRTF, the SAT or the Ken Weismann. “they” will promises all kinds of things to get you on board with closures, only to back out of promises. Get promises in writing.
7) the SAT and the BRTF will change guild lines to rules to harm fishermen.
8) The MLPA process is not collaborative, it majority rule.
A quote from animal farm sums the anti-consumptives feel “two legs bad, four legs good”.
The irony is DFG and sciencemag.org California fisheries are one of the worlds best managed.
It is true that worldwide many fisheries are overfished. So why all the PR hype about pending collapse for non pelagic fish in California waters? It comes down to one thing, Cash. Well intentioned folks give money to ecological crisis.
Volker Hoehne
VP San Diego Freedivers,
Officer Watermens Alliance.
HSU Alum.
We are concluding the Southern California MLPA closures. It has been a painful and but learning experience. Part of your coast will be closed regardless of what you do. The best strategy is get organized.
The southern California Divers took notes from the central coast MLPA experience.
We learned during the So-Cal and Cen-Cal MPA process:
1) Eco-trust cannot be trusted. They distributed confidential fishing reports to anti-fishing groups.
2) DFG does not have fishermens backs
3) NRDC, “keeper groups” ( coast keeper, bay keeper, ....), and Surf rider do not like divers, fishermen or spearfishermen
5) The anti- consumptives primary strategy is divide and conquer. Separate recreational from commercial fishermen lie to both groups and close both fishing areas. NRDC will go for every point, every large reef, and every estuary with all their cronies singing "All the fish are gone", " We must take all their habitats" "Save our Ocean" "Think Big" and guess what, the commission believes them.
6) Socio Economic impact is no important to the BRTF, the SAT or the Ken Weismann. “they” will promises all kinds of things to get you on board with closures, only to back out of promises. Get promises in writing.
7) the SAT and the BRTF will change guild lines to rules to harm fishermen.
8) The MLPA process is not collaborative, it majority rule.
A quote from animal farm sums the anti-consumptives feel “two legs bad, four legs good”.
The irony is DFG and sciencemag.org California fisheries are one of the worlds best managed.
It is true that worldwide many fisheries are overfished. So why all the PR hype about pending collapse for non pelagic fish in California waters? It comes down to one thing, Cash. Well intentioned folks give money to ecological crisis.
Volker Hoehne
VP San Diego Freedivers,
Officer Watermens Alliance.
HSU Alum.
For more information:
http://www.sandiegofreedivers.com
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