Compromise Brings Progress for California Marine Protected Areas
Posted by Alex Felsinger
Last week, a California Marine Life Protection Act Blue Ribbon panel approved several Southern California marine protected areas after 14 months of negotiation between scientists, environmentalists and fishermen. Conservationists were disappointed a few requested areas were omitted from the plan, but generally considered the decision a victory for many exhausted fish populations. The local catch of rockfish and cod has rapidly dropped up to 95%, along with severe drops in the population of many other species.
The commercial fishing industry expressed the most disappointment with the plan, saying that it could threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of fishermen. Conservation groups like Heal the Bay, which spearheaded the Southern California effort, point out that the fishing industry has had no problem in the past continuing full operations while avoiding currently protected areas. In fact, the plan still leaves 90% of coastal waters open to commercial fishing.
Earlier this year, the California Department of Fish and Game created 153 square-miles of marine protected sanctuaries off the coast of Northern California. The Blue Ribbon panel will present their plan, including totals for Southern California to the Department of Fish and Game on December 9th and 10th. While the department has consistently adopted Blue Ribbon panel decisions in the past, this upcoming meeting is a great place to make your opinion heard.
Via: LA Times
Photo via Ken Lund on Flickr
Tags: California, environment, Fisheries, government agency, Marine, marine sanctuaries
