Updated MLPA Information.

[Wingnut]

The implementation hearing is this Thursday 10/6/11...
Keep your fingers crossed, we NEED to win this one!

[vince]

Is the hearing open to the public ? we need to show force at these meetings ! Afterall, taxpayers are the ones putting up the bill ...

[DockRat]

15 days for anglers’ input on MLPA

10/6/11 -- On October 3, the California Fish and Game Commission opened a 15-day public comment period for revised proposed regulations for the South Coast marine protected areas developed under the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process. Revisions were made because the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL), which must first review and approve the regulations before they go into effect, rejected the regulatory package previously provided by the commission.

The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans, which represents the interests of California's recreational anglers and boaters in the MLPA process, is currently reviewing the revised regulations and will provide suggested issues to consider when commenting on the regulations prior to the October 18, deadline. Comments will also be accepted at the October 19 Fish and Game Commission meeting in Monterey, Calif. It is important that anglers respond to the revised MPA regulations since they may significantly affect their ability to access the most productive ocean areas.

During its September meeting, the commission outlined a proposed timeline to re-notice and finalize the South Coast MLPA regulations, resubmit them to OAL, and seek an anticipated effective date of January 1, 2012. This projected effective date is not only dependent on OAL approval, but also may be affected by the outcome of a pending lawsuit filed by members of the PSO.

The lawsuit seeks to set aside the MLPA regulations for the North Central and South Coast study regions, citing a lack of statutory authority for the Fish and Game Commission to adopt the regulations, and, in the case of the South Coast regulations, numerous violations of the California Environmental Quality Act in the commission's environmental review of the regulations. A hearing on the North Central Coast portion of the case, originally set for September 26, will now take place on October 6, in San Diego.

For information on how to contribute to the legal effort, please visit: OceanAccessProtectionFund.org.

[Nipple Twister]

Use your smartphone, some work better then others, to show your location in regards to current MPAs and will be updated with the newer MLPA boundries if/when it takes affect...........www.dfg.ca.gov/m/MPA

[DockRat]

I didn't see Palos Verdes on the above website ?
DR

[melillo3]

From: http://theocnow.com/2011/10/19/judge...as/#more-36074

Judge rejects lawsuit against MPAs

6:51 pm, Oct 19th, 2011 Kelly Parker Countywide Laguna Beach News

A San Diego Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit that aimed to thwart the implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs) along the California coast, including areas of Laguna Beach waters.

The California League of Conservation Voters on Tuesday cheered Judge Ronald Prager’s decision to reject the suit filed by the United Anglers of Southern California, according to a news release from the league.

The suit was also backed by the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans, a fishing equipment group. Opponents included state conservation groups and the Fish and Game Commission.

“This slam-dunk win for the state and our oceans is the end of the line for the special interests who have burdened taxpayers with lawsuits and delaying tactics and have run a short-sighted campaign of scare tactics instead of looking out for the long-term health of our oceans,” California League of Conservation Voters Chief Executive Officer Warner Chabot said in a statement.

Implementation of the MPAs include regulations adopted last December that ban fishing and, in some cases, prohibit taking plants, animals and other marine life, including shells, from certain coastal areas. The MPAs, which extend from beaches in Santa Barbara County to the U.S./Mexico border, are scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1.

In Laguna, the issue of MPAs has been contested among city officials, residents and local anglers. All but one of the City Council members voted in support of the regulations.

“Commercial lobster fishermen will lose 30% to 40% of their income with the 7-mile closure of Laguna’s coastline,” Councilman Kelly Boyd said in July. “As for recreational fishing, sea mammals eat way more than a fisherman catches, and under the restrictions, a man can’t even take his grandson grunion hunting.”

For more information on marine protected areas, visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/southcoast.asp.

–Kelly Parker, @KellyParkerTCN, Coastline Pilot

From: http://theocnow.com/2011/10/19/judge...as/#more-36074

Judge rejects lawsuit against MPAs

6:51 pm, Oct 19th, 2011Kelly ParkerCountywide Laguna Beach News

A San Diego Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit that aimed to thwart the implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs) along the California coast, including areas of Laguna Beach waters.

The California League of Conservation Voters on Tuesday cheered Judge Ronald Prager’s decision to reject the suit filed by the United Anglers of Southern California, according to a news release from the league.

The suit was also backed by the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans, a fishing equipment group. Opponents included state conservation groups and the Fish and Game Commission.

“This slam-dunk win for the state and our oceans is the end of the line for the special interests who have burdened taxpayers with lawsuits and delaying tactics and have run a short-sighted campaign of scare tactics instead of looking out for the long-term health of our oceans,” California League of Conservation Voters Chief Executive Officer Warner Chabot said in a statement.

Implementation of the MPAs include regulations adopted last December that ban fishing and, in some cases, prohibit taking plants, animals and other marine life, including shells, from certain coastal areas. The MPAs, which extend from beaches in Santa Barbara County to the U.S./Mexico border, are scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1.

In Laguna, the issue of MPAs has been contested among city officials, residents and local anglers. All but one of the City Council members voted in support of the regulations.

“Commercial lobster fishermen will lose 30% to 40% of their income with the 7-mile closure of Laguna’s coastline,” Councilman Kelly Boyd said in July. “As for recreational fishing, sea mammals eat way more than a fisherman catches, and under the restrictions, a man can’t even take his grandson grunion hunting.”

For more information on marine protected areas, visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/southcoast.asp.

–Kelly Parker, @KellyParkerTCN, Coastline Pilot

[exfactor]

It's all over now, just a matter of resubmitting some environmental issues the OAL brought up, and probably will be starting in 2012. When all the fishermen go to other places, they will start targeting those areas next. The state, and county lakes are all raising their prices speculating the increased activity, and soon our freedom to fish will be a thing of the past. Mark my words, someone will find a way to charge us to be able to enjoy our great outdoors soon. Its been a great ride for the last 40 years, now, I'm not sure where to turn.

[tree]

This is going to be an unpopular post, but what's wrong with the MLPA?
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/pdfs/scmpas121510.pdf

that's the map of what they want to do... and to be honest is it that bad? Tiny little spots of the ocean closed off, but look @ how much coastline is still available.

I understand Laguna Beach being closed sucks, but Newport beach is down the way, as well as Huntington etc.

as far as coastal waters, i see some areas are ok for taking finfish by hook and line.

What I know less about are the big blotches of red offshore @ the Islands. I bet it sucks for sportfishing boats.

[exfactor]

When everyone's fishing at your lake because they can't go to their beach spot, you'll see. those tiny red spots take up 16% of the Ca. coastline bro. It's called freedom, and slowly they will take that away from us.