Big decision day for Marine Life Protection Act

Today, California’s Fish and Game Commission will meet to continue its review of proposed protections for California’s far north coast as part of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) implementation process. A final marine protected area plan for the north coast will be approved early next year.

At the top of the Commission’s agenda, and top of mind for many following the process, is a series of options to allow ongoing traditional tribal harvest in protected areas. From the Regional Stakeholder Group to the Blue Ribbon Task Force, everyone involved in MLPA planning on the north coast has been unanimous on the importance of respecting tribal cultural practices, and Resources Secretary Laird has made this matter a priority, directing staff to present options that will both allow important ocean protections to go forward and also to protect traditional tribal harvest.

The Commission will consider three possible solutions, all of which would provide for ongoing tribal harvest.

The unified community marine protected area plan north coast stakeholders produced, which has earned support from fishing groups, conservationists, and local government, was designed to allow ongoing tribal harvest and minimize impacts to fishing fleets. It would preserve key areas like Ten-Mile Beach, South Cape Mendocino, and Pyramid Point while leaving all north coast harbors open.

Also on the Commission’s agenda is the timeline for implementation of southern California protected areas approved last December. The south coast network will connect with existing ocean parks along California’s central coast, and provide critically needed protections for hot spots like south La Jolla, Laguna, Point Dume and Naples Reef. Recent reports by the IUCN, Scripps and NOAA highlight the global importance and the fragility of the California Current, and the value of marine protected areas to buffer ocean life against growing environmental and man-made pressures. The IUCN report warns of a possible mass extinction if preventative measures are not put into place. These studies underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive system of protected ocean areas like the one California is creating through the Marine Life Protection Act. The message from scientists is clear: marine protected areas work, and we need them now.

For more information on the MLPA process, visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa. Today's meeting agenda and the tribal harvest options for the north coast are available for download at http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2011/2011mtgs.asp.