Some divers support the Sonoma Coast closure - link to press dem

"Some divers like *************, who runs NorCal Underwater Hunters, an online diving forum, have come out in support of the closure, especially after state divers found the 30 percent abalone mortality rate at Fort Ross two weeks after the red tide."

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110923/ARTICLES/110929705/1033/sitemaps?p=3&tc=pg


What are the pros of the complete closure with the estimated 30% mortality rate DFG is publishing? I am betting that after a winter of movement in the abalone stock that the transect surveys have a hard time determining any statistically signficant difference in population densities over a large area. I bet there will be localized impacts to certain pinnacles, rock walls and coves.

Better to overreact and lose a few months of season than a crash of the stock but I think public quotes like this are going to come back and haunt abalone divers.  Keep it friendly in the discussion.

-Brian G

I would have refrained from providing any commentary.  Even the most well intentioned statement can be used against you, or chopped up to spice up a news story. 

I would have refrained from providing any commentary.  Even the most well intentioned statement can be used against you, or chopped up to spice up a news story.

I think Art, that you and I can agree on this one. There are some areas I been told that arent even affected. What I find most interesting and totally convinient is that there were studies of population in the Ft area prior.

You guys have it all wrong. Remember this.....Elite Trophy Divers Always Know Best! hehe 

To be fair, Matt's comments were taken out of the context he intended.
As agarcia said, it's unfortunate and would've been better not to provide any commentary in the first place...
As-is, it just provides ammunition for them to spin it any way they want. 
Especially disturbing because the press takes Matt's words as a voice of all divers. 



From Matt's Facebook page:

Matt Mattison chimming in here I would like to clear somthing up they stated in the article That I was all in suport of the closure but, to be clear I was in suport of the closure till we have done some surveys of the affected area's and have sound data of the die off then make our our decison and adjust the fishery acordingly and I also feel it should not have ben a blacket closure over the whole county just the affected area's! It goes back to we need site specific maagment of the fishery. Sam SCott please correct the quote.