BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE FORWARDS PROPOSALS FOR MLPA
BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE FORWARDS PROPOSALS FOR MLPA
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
Efforts of Partnership for Sustainable Oceans, Coastside Fishing Club and
UASC's Bob Osborn Help Advance Proposal 2XA
(April 25, 2008) - At a meeting in San Rafael April 23, the Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) voted to forward three proposals and created a fourth, all of which will be formally presented at a California Fish and Game Commission meeting in June. This package of proposals going to the Commission includes Proposal 2-XA, supported by the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) as the option that provides the highest conservation values with the least economic impact, while allowing recreational access.
Along with the PSO-backed Proposal 2-XA, the BRTF will also forward its "preferred option," Proposal 1-3 and Proposal 4 (the one with the most closures). "South of the Russian River, which includes the North Central Region's most active angling areas, much of Proposal 2-XA is included in the preferred option," said United Anglers of Southern California (UASC) fisheries specialist Bob Osborn. "Early on in the proceedings, the task force wanted to keep Duxbury Reef as a salmon, crab and halibut only area, but our plea for preserving kids fishing opportunities helped turn this around," he added. UASC is a member of the PSO coalition that combines the knowledge and power of the Coastside Fishing Club, the Sportfishing Association of California (SAC), the Southern California Marine Association (SCMA) and the American Sportfishing Association (ASA).
North of the Russian River, there will be losses of recreational abalone and fishing access at Stewarts Point, Saunders Reef and Stornetta Ranch. "These losses will be an especially bitter pill for northern abalone divers," said UASC President Tom Raftican. "While this is not over by a long shot, the Dragon blinked," is how Raftican summed up the "cautiously optimistic" feeling about the BRTF decision to move forward with 2-XA. "It looks like the powers that be not only listened to the reasonable recreational fishing interests, but more importantly, they voted accordingly. Our hats are off to Ben Sleeter, Dan Wolford, Bob Osborn, the PSO and the entire Coastside Fishing Club team for their hard work on this proposal," added Raftican.
It's notable that hundreds of anglers and boaters attended the BRTF hearing to show unified support for Proposal 2-XA, while thousands more sent emails and letters expressing their desire for protecting resources while maintaining recreational access.
The BRTF will present these four proposals to the Fish and Game Commission at a June meeting. The Commission will take public comments throughout the summer before it votes on implementing one of the proposals. The MLPA process has begun its Southern California phase, looking at the coastal waters between Pt. Conception and the Mexican border. The new Regional Stakeholder Group, Science Advisory Team, and Blue Ribbon Task Force should be chosen early this summer.
For more information and updates, contact UASC headquarters at (949) 863-9447 or visit online at www.unitedanglers.com.
