United Anglers of Southern California

Recent Fish and Game Commission Meeting Demonstrates Clear Agenda to Fast Track Approval of Integrated Preferred Alternative April 22, 2010 — According to United Anglers of Southern California (UASC) President Steven Fukuto, a California Fish and Game Commission meeting earlier in this month in Monterey gave anglers a clear indication the state is on the fast track to approve the Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA) for implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) in Southern California waters. The IPA, put forth by the state’s MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF), stands to severely impact Southern California’s economy while restricting public access to recreational fishing opportunities. “Another thing this decision made abundantly clear is that recreational anglers must continue to speak out on behalf of Proposal 2 for the Southern California study region,” said Fukuto. “While recent actions taken by the BRTF and the Commission have pretty much made the IPA the only viable option moving forward, we need to raise our voices even louder, not go silent. It’s important that we continue to go on record at every opportunity to express that Proposal 2 is the only true cross-interest plan, developed with cooperation between recreational and commercial fishing interests, government, science/sanitation districts and conservation groups. Proposal 2 is science-based and meets almost all conservation goals of the MLPA for Southern California, and it does so while minimizing impact to our economy and recreational opportunities,” added Fukuto. UASC will continue to support the efforts of fishing/conservation group Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) and work on its own to promote Proposal 2 — along with key modifications of the Laguna Beach and Pt Dume Marine Protected Area (MPA) shapes as proposed by stakeholder workgroup 2 — as the best option. According to Fukuto, angler participation will be needed now more than ever at two key meetings scheduled for later this summer. One of these meetings with a public comment opportunity is scheduled for August 4-5 in Santa Barbara. Another meeting set to take place this September 15-16 in the Sacramento area. ________________________________________RALLY TIME!!
“YES ON 2”
THE FISHERMEN’S CONSERVATION PROPOSAL
2:00PM – SUNDAY – OCTOBER 18, 2009 – DANA POINT HARBOR
YOUR FISHING ACCESS IS IN JEOPARDY!!
The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative is being finalized for the Southern California Region at a
special meeting at the Hilton in Long Beach on October 20th to October 22nd. The MLPA’s Blue Ribbon
Task Force will consider three maps of marine protected areas created by the South Coast Study
Regional Stakeholders Group for adoption by the California Fish & Game Commission.
WORKGROUP MAP 2, validated with the cross interest support of recreational fishermen, commercial
fishermen, government representation, and environmental interests, promotes high conservation that
meets most of the science guidelines of the MLPA law while minimizing the negative economic impact to
the fishing and boating industry, its ancillary businesses and to the economy of the state of California
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR MAP 2!!
• JOIN THE SPORTFISHING FLEET AT DANA POINT HARBOR
• GET INFORMATION ON THE WORKGROUP MAP 2 AND LEARN ABOUT EACH
SUBREGION
• UNDERSTAND MAP 2 CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
• LEARN WHY WORKGROUP MAP 2 IS THE BEST CHOICE FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
• MEET THE STAKEHOLDERS WHO CRAFTED THE WORKGROUP MAP 2 AND FIND OUT
HOW THEY CONSIDERED FISHERMEN’S CONCERNS.
• SPEAK TO GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES IN FAVOR OF MAP 2
• RECEIVE TALKING POINTS FOR THE BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE MEETING IN LONG
BEACH ON OCTOBER 21, 2009
• SIGN A VIDEO PETITION TO BE PRESENTED TO THE BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE
• BRING “YES ON 2” SIGNAGE FOR YOUR PHOTO-OP WITH MEDIA COVERAGE
• SPECIAL FISHING TRIPS FROM: DANA WHARF SPORTFISHING – (949) 496-5794;
DAVEY’S LOCKER – (949) 673-1434; NEWPORT LANDING – (949) 675-0551
This decision will restrict where and how YOU will fish for the next ten years, or more. Arrive by
land or by sea. Your participation is critical to promote the message that WORKGROUP MAP 2 is
the proposal that Southern California deserves! For more information or if your organization wants
to be involved with the rally, call United Anglers of Southern California (562) 494-9900CLICK HERE TO SEE FLYER--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear United Anglers of Southern California Supporters  The South Coast Study Region of the California Marine Life Protection Act is entering a very critical phase and we need your help, now.  There are three proposals being considered for possible adoption by the Blue Ribbon Task Force that will be forwarded to the Fish and Game Commission to be enacted to law.  To look at those proposals, go to http://dfg.ca.gov/mlpa.  Of the three, United Anglers of Southern California supports Proposal 2, the fishermen’s conservation proposal.   I asked all of you to take two minutes of your time and go to http://www.keepamericafishing.org/california.html and send a letter to the Blue Ribbon Task Force in support of Proposal 2.  Links are provided in the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans press release attached.  Steven FukutoPresident, United Anglers of Southern California _____________________________

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Blue Ribbon Task Force Nearing Recommendation on Recreational Fishing Access in the South Coast - Take Action! Letters from anglers and boaters needed to persuade BRTF to support Proposal 2 The SituationAt its upcoming October 20-22 meeting, the Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) is scheduled to vote on which marine protected area (MPA) proposal to recommend for the South Coast under the state's Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO), which represents the interests of recreational anglers and boaters, is supporting Proposal 2 for the South   Coast . Proposal 2 places MPAs in locations with a high level of conservation while minimizing the economic impact on local communities and still allows anglers maximum access to fishing. It is the only proposal that truly reflects the spirit of conservation. SEND YOUR MESSAGE NOW!To protect as much recreational fishing opportunity as possible, send a letter to the BRTF in support of Proposal 2. The Task Force needs to hear from you before its upcoming vote - send your letter now! ATTEND UPCOMING BRTF MEETING!The South Coast BRTF will also be receiving public comment on Wednesday, October 21, starting at 1:30 p.m. until approximately 10:00 p.m. This is your opportunity to sincerely convey to the BRTF your support of Proposal 2. Tell them:

• How important recreational fishing is to you.
• You are a conservationist, and that recreational fishing has a minimal impact on the ocean environment.
• Proposal 2 is a significant compromise by the fishing community and is the only proposal that is a true reflection of conservation.
• The ocean resources in California are healthy and not in need of additional protection. Fishery management in California is working!

The meeting will be held at the Hilton Long Beach, 701 West Ocean Ave. , Long Beach , Calif. For More InformationTo send a letter to the BRTF and learn more about Proposal 2, the MLPA and the PSO, visit http://www.keepamericafishing.org/california.htmlFor more details regarding the October 20-22 BRTF Meeting in Long Beach visithttp://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/southcoast.asp Thank you for doing your part to Keep America Fishing!========================================================




Facts: 

·         The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) mandates a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

·         The MLPA requires enough reserves to replicate complete protection of various kinds of habitat throughout California's ocean waters.

·         The US National Academy of Sciences says that some catch and release fishing may be appropriate while still achieving high conservation (fully protected) levels.

·         The US National Academy of Sciences states that all conservation cannot be achieved through the exclusive use of no take areas. While no take areas may appeal to some, it is necessary to provide true stakes in MPAs for fishermen.  This may accomplished through the use of MPAs that allow certain fishing activities while restricting others.

·         The MLPA allows the network to be made up of MPAs that include:

o        Marine Recreational Management Area – An area managed for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

o        State Marine Conservation Areas -  some commercial and some recreational fishing.

o        Marine Parks – No Commercial take; some recreational fishing.

o        Marine Reserves – No take

For more than 20 years, United Anglers of Southern California has been working to make sure our oceans have plenty of big fish —and we have the opportunity to fish for them.  When the threat of marine closures first came on the scene, sportfishing leadership did not have an answer, other than to say “NO!” 
This has proved to be unsuccessful because a conservation alternative was not offered.  Today we are looking at new, creative, and effective ways of satisfying the demands of the MLPA while maximizing our opportunities to fish.  The State is mandated to provide a network of MPA's but it does not say that these same MPAs need to amount to massive closures.

Southern California and Catalina Island is the current target.  UASC at the invitation of the MLPA process has submitted the following proposal.  This proposal is designed to provide a high level of conservation while providing a balance between various stakeholder interests.  The proposal provides Marine Reserves spaced in such a way to meet science objectives, combined with other types of MPAs designed to inform adaptive management and produce superior outcomes for our resources.  UASC accomplishes this without excessive compression of existing effort into a smaller footprint.Following is the updated array for Round 2 modified in accordance with feedback from Blue Ribbon Task Force, the Science Advisory Team, and the Department of Fish and Game




Charles F. Holder Catalina State Marine Conservation Area. (SMCA)
This SMCA is a conservation solution unique to recreational fishing. 


The medium blue area surrounding the island is the SMCA.  It reaches out from the island a total of three miles.  The restrictions would be slot limits on calico bass and sheephead.  No retention of calicos or sheephead over 17” or under 12" and a 5 fish bag limit each for calicos and sheephead inside the slot limits from 12" to 17".  This is a blueprint for more effective MPAs, meaning that fewer of them will be required to meet the stated conservation goals.  The smaller dark blue areas at Farnsworth Bank and at Bird Rock are SMCA's that would prohibit bottom fishing and retention of calicos and sheephead but allow for the fishing of marlin, tuna, yellowtail, white seabass and other surface species.  The red area at the Wrigley Institue at the Isthmus inside of Bird Rock is a closed area.  The area between Arrow Point and Lionhead is an invertibrate closure only under existing regulations and allows the take of fin fish.    

SOUTH MAINLAND


11 new MPAs in 5 clusters.  Red Zones are State Marine Reserves (No Take), Blue Zones generally allow, unless otherwise noted, all legal forms of pelagic fishing (Marlin, Tuna, Swordfish, Thresher Sharks, Mako Sharks, Yellowtail, Barracuda, White Seabass, Bonito, Anchovies, Sardines, Mackerel, no retention of other species)

PALOS VERDES
The Dark Blue Area near shore at PV prohibits hook and line fishing to preserve size and spacing but allows spearfishing for pelagics and white seabass.  The Science Advisory Team provides this at high conservation because of the zero bycatch from spearfishing of species likely to benefit from MPAs.  The outer blue area allows trolling and the targeting of pelagics with all currently legal gear types.
LAGUNA BEACH


DEL MAR
Del Mar also is linked to San Diegito estuary which has been converted to a State Marine Reserve.OCEAN BEACHSouth San Diego BaySouth San Diego Bay includes a State Marine Reserve at Sweetwater Marsh and a catch and release area at the south end of the bay.

NORTH MAINLAND
6 new MPAs in 2 clusters



Red Zones are State Marine Reserves (No Take), Blue Zones allow pelagic fishing (Marlin, Tuna, Swordfish, Thresher Sharks, Mako Sharks, Yellowtail, Barracuda, White Seabass, Bonito, Anchovies, Sardines, Mackerel, no retention of other species) ,   The Pt Mugu yellow area that allows spearfishing for pelagics and white seabass and green area inside the estuary on the military base that allows waterfowl hunting.  These two areas expand on the Pt Mugu marine reserve to capture preferred sizes of MPAs and habitats recommended the the Science Advisory Team at a High level of protection.

SANTA BARBARA

The Santa Barbara area also adds Deveraux Lagoon as a State Marine Reserve.

POINT MUGU






Our research shows that the UASC proposal contains a balance of conservation measures desirable to recreational anglers and satisfies the demands of the MLPA.  They will maximiize angling opportunities while at the same time effecitvely manage our resources.  This approach to the MLPA will result in robust populations of big fish — and the opportunity for all to enjoy them.   Your efforts are neeed to help make it happen. We will need your support in writing letters or attending key meetings.  And joining United Anglers of Southern California will help all of us enjoy a better fishing future. 
·          Join United Anglers
·          Read our email alerts and respond (provide us with your email address)
·          Join our volunteer staff.
·          Make an extra donation to UASC or join at a higher level





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