Scientific Collecting Permits and the MLPA Initiative

Scientific Collecting Permits and the MLPA

(from the California Sea Urchin Commission Diver’s Newsletter, March, 2010)

At the February 16th 2010 meeting of the Marine Resources Committee, the Department of Fish & Game (DFG) presented an issue paper on the potential issues and conflicts with the scientific research and collection process, and the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative.

In its presentation, DFG noted that research and monitoring “play a critical role in management of MPA’s” adding that all MPA’s allow for “research, restoration and educational activities.” However, DFG noted that the master plan for the MLPA process did not provide guidance for managing research activities within the MPA’s.

DFG stated that, “a balance between ocean enjoyment and use, research and monitoring, and minimal disturbance must be struck” when determining MPA management decisions.

With the increasing number of MPA’s (Marine Protected Areas), interest in research proposals has already grown significantly, and this growth, in light of no consistent management, poses a problem: specifically, DFG is concerned about potential ecological impacts from unrestricted research and monitoring in MPA’s.

Because of this increasing pressure, DFG developed both a series of questions to guide decision making regarding scientific activities within MPA’s, and a series of questions (in draft form) to help determine whether or not to allow particular scientific research and monitoring activities.

In the short term, DFG recommended following the protocols it developed, with a special note to prohibit research and monitoring using trawls. In the long term, DFG recommended the department seek guidance from the MLPA Science Advisory Team, Monitoring Enterprise scientists, and DFG Comission staff to develop processes for managing science activities within MPA’s under the MLPA.

Scientific Collecting - Another Issue

DFG has long issued scientific collectors permits to individuals collecting wildlife specimens for their own research or for research-employers. It is a violation to sell specimens taken with this permit; however, many collectors get around the prohibition by “charging for services” rather than charging for specimens. There is ample evidence that businesses collecting with this permit are selling their specimens.

For under $60, a 2-year permit allows “researchers” to collect wildlife with any number of assistants. They get a permit by simply identifying their regular customers and/or explaining the ultimate scientific purpose (i.e. “scientific education).

While a report is required to be submitted after the permit period indicating species types and numbers collected, many reports are never submitted, and the DFG doesn’t have sufficient enforcement staff to get them. In addition, the DFG admits it does not know how much of an impact scientific collecting has on many of the species collected.