Get involved in North Coast Marine Protected Area planning
Ken Wiseman
The Times-Standard
09/28/2009
Over the next year, the north coast community is invited to participate in redesigning California's marine protected areas (MPAs) in coastal waters from the California-Oregon border to Alder Creek near Point Arena. The 1999 state law known as the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) requires this effort to take place.
Californians use the ocean in many ways. Many of you reading this have a personal story or family connection to a particular fishing, diving or surf spot or beach. Our coastal waters hold great value as a source of income to support families and communities as well as for the recreational opportunities they provide. Therefore, at the foundation of the planning process is community involvement, where all members of the public are encouraged to participate and each has the opportunity to influence the outcome.
As executive director of the MLPA Initiative, a public-private partnership developed to implement the 1999 law, I want to personally invite all members of the north coast community to participate in upcoming public outreach opportunities to learn more about the state law and how you can get involved in its implementation.
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., MLPA Initiative staff will host a public workshop in Eureka. We will provide an overview of the MPA planning process for the north coast, a description of existing marine protected areas in the study region, how the science of MPAs is applied and how the public can become involved. Staff will also provide an introduction to MarineMap and review the guidelines for MPA proposal development.
In an effort to encourage public participation outside of Eureka, we have set up two satellite locations for residents near Fort Bragg and Crescent City to join the workshop and interact with on-site MLPA Initiative staff closer to home. We hope you will join us in person at one of the staffed locations or by viewing on the Web and calling in from your home or office.
On Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the same three locations, MLPA Initiative staff will be available for an informal question and answer session about the north coast planning process and how the community can develop MPA proposals this fall.
So what are marine protected areas, or MPAs? They are part of an ecosystem-based approach to protecting valuable marine life and critical habitats, such as fish spawning and nursery areas. MPAs can differ in degrees of protection and have been shown to improve fishing and other recreational opportunities within an area and in surrounding waters.
The state identifies three types of MPAs -- marine conservation areas, marine parks and marine reserves -- that range from limiting certain types of commercial and recreational activities to establishing no-take zones. Public access is allowed in all three.
The MLPA Initiative is designed to engage a cross-interest group of local ocean users with in-depth knowledge about local resources to design an MPA plan that balances ocean uses and protection. The plan developed by this cross-interest group creates the foundation upon which a statewide network of MPAs is built. The planning process includes input from scientists, resource managers, experts, stakeholders and members of the public.
Engaging these multiple perspectives also will further build a strong network of ocean partners dedicated to the long-term management of our state's marine resources. These partnerships can assist with the shared responsibility of enforcement, education and scientific monitoring once the statewide network is in place.
