Support a Legislative Review of the MLPA Process

Fishing friendly California State Senators Florez, Ducheny, and Hollingsworth share our concerns and are interested in pursuing a legislative review of the MLPA process and the creation of MPAs.

However, to do so they need the support and permission of the leader of the Senate, President pro Tempore Steinberg.

MLPA advocates are pressing him to stop initiation of an investigation. It is CRITICAL that everyone who cares about sport fishing contact Senator Steinberg with the following message:

CALL and FAX his office (see below for numbers). Let the powers that be know that sport fishing wants access!

Faxes can be sent for FREE using this service http://faxzero.com/

Senators Florez, Ducheny, and Hollingsworth also need your support. They can be contacted via their respective websites and from the 'Send a Message' page:
Senator Dean Florez
Senator Dennis Hollingsworth
Senator Denise Ducheny

The Honorable Darrell Steinberg
President Pro Tempore
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Senator Steinberg,

The Marine Life Protection Act process requires oversight by the Legislature to ensure compliance with the law.

I, a voter, a California taxpayer and avid sportsman, urge the Senate to exercise its oversight authority to investigate the following:

1) The numerous conflicts-of-interest MLPA advocates hold in the MLPA process
2) The lack of funding and time to adequately study, research, and carry out the science needed to make informed decisions
3) The extremist and inequitable focus on fishing as the primary cause of habitat and species loss

Bear in mind that Southern California is the birthplace of big game sport fishing. Sport fishing is Californian tradition, livelihood and tourist attraction. In the entire world, California has the biggest sport fishing fleet, bar none. Sport fishing is catered to by hundreds of businesses generating income and jobs for tens of thousands of California citizens. Not the least of all, fishing is a sport shared by generations of Californians of all income levels. As a matter of fact, there are citizens who subsist on fishing as a means to get by.

Further, I urge the Senate to investigate the cost of implementing the MLPA in light of California’s unprecedented budget shortfall. Without funding for science, monitoring and enforcement, huge sections of the ocean will be closed to fishing forever. This will unnecessarily impact the economy of coastal businesses and seafood consumers at the worst possible time in this terrible recession.

Thank you for considering my views.

Signed,

Your Name
You Address
City, CA zip
Phone number

Please call Senator Steinberg's office with this message and also print it out and Fax it today! His numbers are:

Phone – 916-651-4006
FAX - 916-323-2263  Faxes can be sent for FREE using this service http://faxzero.com/

Snail mail addresses:

President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814

President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg
District Office
1020 N Street, #576
Sacramento, CA 95814

President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg
North Highlands District Office
5722 Watt Avenue
North Highlands, CA 95660