North Coast Agencies Endorse Resolution in Support of United MLPA Proposal

NORTH COAST AGENCIES ENDORSE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE NORTH COAST UNIFIED MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA) ARRAY PROPOSAL

Contact: Dr. Jeanine Pfeiffer, Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Outreach Facilitator for the County of Mendocino, (707) 969-7490; Jim Martin, MLPA Outreach Coordinator for the County of Mendocino, (707) 357-3422.

On October 20, 2010, a resolution signed by seventeen local government agencies – a historical first for the region – was forwarded to the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative (MLPAI) by the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District.

The resolution urges the MLPAI Blue Ribbon Task Force and California Fish and Game Commission to adopt, without any alteration, the Unified Marine Protected Area (MPA) Array proposal developed by North Coast stakeholders and communities.

The resolution further urges that North Coast stakeholders and communities must be consulted if any changes are to be made to the Unified MPA Array. Finally, the resolution asserts that MPAs should not impact traditional, non-commercial ceremonial and subsistence uses by California Tribes and Tribal Communities.

The MLPA requires the creation of MPAs, intended to protect marine ecosystems by banning all or most types of subsistence harvest, recreational fishing, commercial fishing and traditional gathering activities within the adopted areas. Following the submission of preliminary array proposals by eight community groups in February 2010, thirty-three appointed North Coast stakeholders have been redesigning MPAs for the North Coast. The stakeholders represent diverse interests including recreational and commercial fishermen, tribes and tribal communities, conservation advocacy groups, mariculture operators, divers, and nature enthusiasts.

Through numerous meetings of the community and MLPAI, the stakeholders developed the Unified MPA Array which represents a compromisethat is broadly supported by North Coast communities and meets the goals of the MLPA.

The MLPAI regional stakeholders and North Coast communities are strongly urging the MLPA Initiative to listen to the desires of the North Coast and embrace the unified position that has been reached among diverse interests. The North Coast is the only region in this multi-year, state-wide process where stakeholders agreed to one unified MPA array proposal. Local governments and community groups that have endorsed the resolution in support of the Unified MPA Array are listed below.

On October 25 (beginning 8:30 am) and October 26 (beginning 8:00 am) the Blue Ribbon Task Force will meet at the River Lodge in Fortuna, CA, to identify and recommend an MPA Array to the California Fish and Game Commission. This meeting will be simultaneously webcast, and the C.V. Starr Community Center in Fort Bragg will be equipped to allow the public to view and comment on the proceedings.

Public Comment is expected to begin on Monday, October 25th at approximately 3:00 pm. Additional information and the meeting agenda can be found at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/meeting_102510.asp

Local governments and community groups that have endorsed the resolution in support of the Unified MPA Array include: County of Mendocino; County of Humboldt; County of Del Norte; City of Point Arena; City of Fort Bragg; City of Lakeport; City of Willits; City of Ukiah; City of Fortuna; City of Eureka; City of Arcata; City of Trinidad; City of Crescent City; City of Monterey; Shelter Cove Resort Improvement District; Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District; Crescent City Harbor District; The Recreational Fishing Alliance; Partnership for Sustainable Oceans; Salmon Trollers Marketing Association; Humboldt Baykeepers; Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers; Sonoma County Abalone Network; North Coast Fishing Association; Humboldt Fishermen’s Marketing Association; Salmon Restoration Association.