UASC MEMBERS STATE THEIR CASE
MORE THAN 70 ANGLERS, INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES AND UASC MEMBERS STATE THEIR CASE ON THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF MLPA AT CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION MEETING
Click here for the photos.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (October 5, 2006) —Southern California anglers came forward in scores at today’s Fish and Game Commission meeting to ask why they had been singled out by the Department of Fish and Game as the next target area for the still shaky Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). In a dramatic response to the DFG’s recommendation to take the MLPA to the Southern region, anglers showed up and showed their cards, opening a public debate on the Department’s backroom decision.
“The Department of Fish and Game made recommendations in their Draft Master Plan calling for the MLPA to move south. It made the decision in the backroom without the consent of the Fish and Game Commission and without any stakeholder input,” said Tom Raftican, president of UASC. “The law is quite clear: The Fish and Game Commission sets policy and the Department carries out that policy. They tried to get away with one. It’s about time that the Commission took back the reins and gave the public a chance to present its case,” added Raftican.
“We thank the Fish and Game Commission for putting this important decision on its agenda, discussing it in the open and not behind closed doors like the Department had attempted. The outpouring of anglers and sportfishing business owners is a pretty clear indication of just how important this is.
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“Get it right before you take the big bite was our message, and I think it really did get heard,” added Raftican. By “bite,” speakers were referring to the $1.75 billion impact Southern California recreational fishing has on the state’s economy. “Sport fishing south of Point Conception alone generates $1.75 billion in revenues, compared to $750 million for the rest of the state. We wanted to make it clear that the responsible thing to do is to refine the MPA (Marine Protected Areas) concept in smaller regions of the state before coming to Southern California. The economic stakes are simply too high to do otherwise,” he added.
The morning’s activities actually began well before the meeting. At the request of UASC, a diverse group of fishermen, tackle shop owners, tackle manufacturers, boat captains, landing operators and other stakeholders gathered at Dana Landing in Mission Bay, across the street from the Hubbs-Sea World Research Center where the meeting took place. Participants were briefed on the meeting protocol and were prepared for the process of testifying in the own words just how ocean fishing closures would affect them, personally and financially. People lined up during the public testimony portion of the meeting and politely and succinctly expressed their opinions.
In addition to those assembled from the fishing community, representatives of the press including Western Outdoor News, Pacific Coast Sportfishing and the San Diego Union Tribune were also on hand.
“It was great to have such a strong showing from the fishing community so early in the process. More importantly, every person who got up and spoke before the commission said what was on his or her mind in a positive way. People made a big sacrifice taking time away from their businesses and families to support us today. We’re truly grateful to them for this,” said Raftican.
Sal Vallone, owner of Bob Sands Fishing Tackle in Van Nuys, reported to the Commission how the existing Channel Islands closures have contributed to a 20-percent drop in business at his store. John Noble of Pure Fishing laid out the importance of Southern California ocean fishing to his company’s $100 million in annual sales. Bart Hall of Fred Hall & Associates cited the need for Ocean Parks instead of closures. Just as conservation-minded fishing is allowed and encouraged in our land-based national parks; the same concept should be employed to protect areas of the ocean.
-more-
“MLPA implementation is coming to Southern California eventually—everybody understands that,” said Raftican, “but what it’s going to look like when it gets here is still a huge question. Taking the process elsewhere first will give us the time we need to work with the commission, to find the best solution that protects ocean resources and protects us.”
To keep abreast of developments pertaining the MLPA direction in Southern California and elsewhere in the state, visit UASC’s frequently updated website at www.unitedanglers.com. Or contact the non-profit organization’s headquarters at (949) 863-9447.
Click here for the photos.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (October 5, 2006) —Southern California anglers came forward in scores at today’s Fish and Game Commission meeting to ask why they had been singled out by the Department of Fish and Game as the next target area for the still shaky Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). In a dramatic response to the DFG’s recommendation to take the MLPA to the Southern region, anglers showed up and showed their cards, opening a public debate on the Department’s backroom decision.
“The Department of Fish and Game made recommendations in their Draft Master Plan calling for the MLPA to move south. It made the decision in the backroom without the consent of the Fish and Game Commission and without any stakeholder input,” said Tom Raftican, president of UASC. “The law is quite clear: The Fish and Game Commission sets policy and the Department carries out that policy. They tried to get away with one. It’s about time that the Commission took back the reins and gave the public a chance to present its case,” added Raftican.
“We thank the Fish and Game Commission for putting this important decision on its agenda, discussing it in the open and not behind closed doors like the Department had attempted. The outpouring of anglers and sportfishing business owners is a pretty clear indication of just how important this is.
-more-
“Get it right before you take the big bite was our message, and I think it really did get heard,” added Raftican. By “bite,” speakers were referring to the $1.75 billion impact Southern California recreational fishing has on the state’s economy. “Sport fishing south of Point Conception alone generates $1.75 billion in revenues, compared to $750 million for the rest of the state. We wanted to make it clear that the responsible thing to do is to refine the MPA (Marine Protected Areas) concept in smaller regions of the state before coming to Southern California. The economic stakes are simply too high to do otherwise,” he added.
The morning’s activities actually began well before the meeting. At the request of UASC, a diverse group of fishermen, tackle shop owners, tackle manufacturers, boat captains, landing operators and other stakeholders gathered at Dana Landing in Mission Bay, across the street from the Hubbs-Sea World Research Center where the meeting took place. Participants were briefed on the meeting protocol and were prepared for the process of testifying in the own words just how ocean fishing closures would affect them, personally and financially. People lined up during the public testimony portion of the meeting and politely and succinctly expressed their opinions.
In addition to those assembled from the fishing community, representatives of the press including Western Outdoor News, Pacific Coast Sportfishing and the San Diego Union Tribune were also on hand.
“It was great to have such a strong showing from the fishing community so early in the process. More importantly, every person who got up and spoke before the commission said what was on his or her mind in a positive way. People made a big sacrifice taking time away from their businesses and families to support us today. We’re truly grateful to them for this,” said Raftican.
Sal Vallone, owner of Bob Sands Fishing Tackle in Van Nuys, reported to the Commission how the existing Channel Islands closures have contributed to a 20-percent drop in business at his store. John Noble of Pure Fishing laid out the importance of Southern California ocean fishing to his company’s $100 million in annual sales. Bart Hall of Fred Hall & Associates cited the need for Ocean Parks instead of closures. Just as conservation-minded fishing is allowed and encouraged in our land-based national parks; the same concept should be employed to protect areas of the ocean.
-more-
“MLPA implementation is coming to Southern California eventually—everybody understands that,” said Raftican, “but what it’s going to look like when it gets here is still a huge question. Taking the process elsewhere first will give us the time we need to work with the commission, to find the best solution that protects ocean resources and protects us.”
To keep abreast of developments pertaining the MLPA direction in Southern California and elsewhere in the state, visit UASC’s frequently updated website at www.unitedanglers.com. Or contact the non-profit organization’s headquarters at (949) 863-9447.
