Notes: This map was presented to the South Coast Region Stakeholders Group at the March 3rd meeting in Long Beach. It was presented by Tom Ford of the Santa Monica Baykeeper / Santa Barbara Channelkeeper as an external proposal. This map includes 25 new SMRs in addition to the existing ones at the Channel Islands. These include SMRs at Point Conception, Goleta, Carpinteria, Malibu, Palos Verdes, Bolsa Chica, Newport through to Dana Point, Cardiff, La Jolla, Point Loma, and Imperial Beach. In total there are 47 MPAs covering 775 square miles (33% of the South Coast region).
Several comments and questions were raised by members of the Stakeholders Group after the presentation was completed:
A comment from an SCRSG member: Given the extensive protected areas in this proposal, regarding fishing pressure in non-protected areas devastating the fishery. Tom Ford's response is that MPAs will increase seed stock viability for non-protected areas. He added that fishing proponents claim that commercial and recreational fishing doesn't have the kill power to devastate a fishery but then claims if commercial and recreational fishing is put in the same area, it will devastate the area, questioning the hypocrisy. No response was given.
[yesfishing.org in response to Tom Ford's point: It’s a matter of dispersion of fishing pressure. When recreational and commercial fishing is dispersed throughout the area they are not competing for the same resource at the same place at the same time. If fishing is confined to a smaller area they will be drawing on the same resources.]
Several SCRSG members made comments regarding urchin fishing ranging from lack of open urchin habitat to fish and what would happen to kelp forests if urchins were allowed to spread, as has happened in the northern end of the South Coast region.
Tom Ford explains that urchin habitat remains open in some areas and that a balanced ecosystem will prevent kelp forests from being damaged.
A question from an SCRSG member: What Carpinteria resources are being depleted that require an MPA in that location?
A non coherent answer is provided citing reefs and small diverse habitats.
A comment from a SCRSG member: San Diego 1/2 day party boats are not in range of fishing grounds given the proposed closures.
Tom Ford admits that that was not considered in the design of the MPAs. He further states that the areas left open provide enough space for fishing.
This map will be analyzed by the Science Advisory Team, California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Parks and Recreation, and MLPA Initiative staff. Feedback will be provided to the MLPA Initiative for consideration in the next round of SCRSG draft proposals.
What others have said about this map:
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