There week is a VERY
important time for all marine life in Southern California and the future of all aquatic life forms. The state of California
has mandated that there be several Marine Life Protected Area’s (MLPA’s) set aside in state waters that will have
varying degrees of protection for all ocean life. All options allow the public to surf, swim, boat, snorkel and scuba diving.
In other words access is NOT forbidden. The difference is in the use of the marine resources.
The 3 different
designations are as follows
-
State Marine
Reserve: This offers the best protection for wildlife, this is a NO TAKE zone.
-
State Marine
Park: This is the second best option and would allow for recreational harvest of marine
life.
-
State Marine
Conservation Are: This is the worst option. It allows for some recreational and commercial
take of marine life.
This is a
simplified description of the designations, please go to the Dept. of Fish and Game website to see a more detailed explanation.
ODA thinks that
External Proposal C is the best option. Please take a couple of minutes and write to the panel. I hope you will support this
proposal, but check out the website to see all the options that are on the table at this point in time.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/index.asp
There is
a meeting being held this week in Dana Point on Wednesday (4/15) and Thursday (4/16) that will allow the public to make comments
on the proposals. I will be there on Thursday (4/16) to offer my opinion. I hope you can come out and voice your support,
but if not please send in a letter. Click here for a sample letter/ template.
Now is the time to act! These MLPA’s are going to provide sanctuary for countless marine
animals that have been hunted and “harvested” for far too long. Please do your part to assure that our children
get the chance to see and enjoy a better environment than we currently have in Southern California.
Click here for more info about the Meetings in Dana Point 4/15 & 4/16/09
THANK YOU!
Kurt Lieber - Founder and President
