Three Plans Released For South Coast Marine Protected Areas
Ed Joyce
KPBS
09/25/2009
Three proposals for a south coast network of marine protected areas was released Friday One area under consideration for protection is off San Diego's coast.
Three groups have been working for more than a year to map out areas that would be off-limits for fishing to protect marine species. Each group has a different focus: one on conservation, one on fishing and a third "middle ground" team is charged with creating a compromise plan.
Kate Hanley, who is with San Diego Coastkeeper , is part of the conservation group.
She said that group's plan would protect ecological hot spots including the southern half of La Jolla's reef, while leaving nearly 90% of coastal waters open for fishing.
"La Jolla reef system is unmatched in terms of beauty if you're a diver, the water quality is relatively pristine and the biological diversity is just off the charts," Hanley said.
