Conservation in Action:

Conserving California's Marine Resources

West Marin is known for its high biodiversity and density of seals, sea lions, whales and sea birds, all of which depend upon the healthy habitat and abundant food available in this area. For example, the waters surrounding the Farallon Islands support the largest concentration of seabirds in the lower 48 states.

But current management of the California coast won’t ensure long-term ecological and economic prosperity. California’s fish populations have steadily declined, deeply impacting our fisheries and ocean economy. Some California fish populations have declined by 90 percent. Part of the problem is that despite honorable land conservation efforts in the United States, less than 1% of marine habitat is protected from direct human use. Until recently, California’s marine reserves, which act like underwater parks, were few, small and too permissive to offer much protection.

The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), passed by the California state legislature, takes a pro-active ecosystem based approach to marine conservation. By 2011, California will design and implement a string of marine protected areas dotted along its 840-mile coastline. Marine protected areas have the potential to conserve California’s rich marine biodiversity and ensure a more sustainable future for the commercial and recreational fishing industries.

Last April, I was selected as a member of the Regional Stakeholder Group (RSG) for the Marine Life Protection Act’s North Central Coast section between Half Moon Bay and Point Arena. We are charged with developing an MPA network plan to submit to the California Fish and Game Commission for consideration in 2008. The RSG represents a broad range of interests, such as commercial and sport fishermen, divers and conservationists. Other West Marin stakeholder group members include Josh Churchman, Don Neubacher, Rick Johnson, and Tom Baty.

During the first few months, we negotiated regional goals and objectives and helped create a Regional Profile of the North Central Coast. But the fall season has been the most challenging and time consuming, as we were broken into three sub-groups (Jade, Emerald and Turquoise) to draft different designs for these underwater park networks, which will be analyzed by our scientific advisors this month.  

While the process has at times been difficult, it will help ensure that the final plan is one that is representative of the many different uses of our ocean. Negotiations were often laborious, but the three subgroups were successful in creating four draft proposals for consideration, which can be found at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/nccrsg-dprops.asp.

It is exciting to see two contenders rise among the draft proposals submitted. While we are not through the proverbial woods yet, proposals # 4 shows real promise for success, providing solid habitat protection in the region. The plan does the best job at meeting the scientific guidelines established by the state to ensure the best chance for the long-term sustainability and ecological health of California’s marine life.

Proposals #4 also does a great job of ensuring that areas accessible to local fishing ports are kept open, and that fishing opportunities continue at most popular access points.  The plan was crafted with the expert advice of many local commercial and sport fishermen, naturalists, divers, kayakers, and others who know and love the coast. 

These four proposals are not set in stone, and will undergo one more round of negotiations and fine-tuning by the Regional Stakeholder Group.  It’s to our advantage to work together to forge a network that’s good for all marine life and all Californians.  We’ll be working to make sure that key marine habitat at the Farrallon Islands, Point Reyes Headlands and Duxbury Reef is conserved, while fishing continues along the majority of the north central coast.

I believe that when people look back decades from now, the Marine Life Protection Act will be viewed as the conservation success story of the 21st century in California. I feel fortunate to participate and I hope that more people in West Marin will choose to get involved.

EAC is dedicated to creating a balanced plan that conserves key habitat for marine life and protects 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.  To learn more, please contact me at 663-9312 or email to EAC@svn.net. 

Frederick Smith

Executive Director

Environmental Action Committee of West Marin

For more information of the North Central Coast process, click here.