Marine Life Protection Act - North Central Coast Region

A statewide effort toward meaningful marine conservation

             (©Gulf of the Farallones NMS - Farallon Islands, CA)

West Marin is known for its high abundance and diversity of seals, sea lions, whales and sea birds, all of which depend upon the healthy habitat and abundant food available in this area.   Ocean health is also important for the our long-term economic and social well-being of the area, including tourism, commercial and sport fishing, wildlife watching, sea kayaking and more.

The California legislature enacted the Marin Life Protection Act recognizing the importance of habitat protection to long-term health of our ocean and the sea mammals, birds and people that depend upon it.

The North Central Coast region, from Half Moon Bay to Point Arena, has been chosen to be the next focus for the Marine Protected Act process.  The goal of the Marine Life Protection Act is to design and implement a network of marine protected areas, that conserves a wide variety of habitat along California's 840-mile coastline. This is the first statewide effort of its kind to protect marine habitat.

Background:

Despite the region's potential as outstanding habitat, all is not well under the surface.

Evidence shows that current management of California’s marine resources does not adequately ensure the long-term stability of fish populations or the sea mammals and birds that depend upon a healthy ocean fishery. For example, in 2002, six species of rockfish found in our region have been designated as over-fished

Part of the problem is that, despite honorable land conservation achievements, less than 1% of our territorial marine habitat is protected from consumptive human uses. Past marine conservation efforts, focused on conserving individual wildlife species, such as seals and birds, while effective at the time, didn’t address the need for ecosystem-based protection.

Part of the problem is that, despite honorable land conservation efforts in the US, less than 1% of marine habitat is protected from direct human use. Until recently, California’s marine reserves were few, small and too permissive to offer much protection.

The California legislature enacted the Marin Life Protection Act recognizing the importance of habitat protection to long-term health of our ocean and the sea mammals, birds and people that depend upon it.

The MLPA program took the first big step in right direction when on April 13, 2007, when the Fish and Game Commission approved a Central California Coast Marine Protected Areas network  between Santa Barbara and Half Moon Bay. The plan, developed over three years by local people, puts aside 8% of the area’s marine habitat as fully protected marine reserves, leaving 92% of the coast open to fishing, abalone diving, kayaking and other activities.  This proposal went into effect on September 21, 2007.

By 2011, California will design and implement a string of marine protected areas dotted along its 840 mile coastline. As a recently selected member of the Regional Stakeholder Group (RSG) for the North Central Coast from Half Moon bay to Point Arena, I will be working for over a year with a wide cross-section of people to develop a reasonable, effective plan to submit to the California Fish and Game Commission for approval. Success is dependent upon a high level of participation from those that use and enjoy the ocean.

Like national parks and roadless areas, Marine Protected Areas are places where fish and other sea life can be given relief from intense human impacts in order to prosper. They will also help repopulate struggling species in nearby areas. And since the majority of our shores will still be open to human activities, it’s a win-win for marine life and people. What is good for fish is usually good for fishing and this will hold true for marine protected areas.

Naysayers might try to argue that self-policing and existing regulations are enough or bring up long-term enforcement concerns, but they can’t stop the momentum behind this conservation effort because of the growing recognition that the status quo, which focuses on reactive regulations after the fact than pro-active habitat protection, is not working. As is the case on land, habitat protection is an integral step in ensuring the long-term sustainability of our oceans.

The EAC is dedicated to creating a balanced plan that preserves key habitats for marine life and conserves historic local uses of the ocean for future generations to enjoy. I hope that you will consider participating to ensure that local knowledge and values are represented in the planning process.  If you’re interested, contact me at 663-9312 or email to EAC@svn.net