Sept 11th Kayak Connection Tournament, Santa Cruz

http://www.kayakconnection.com/KC_Files/fishingformWS.pdf

I have enclosed the link for the entry form.

Pre-registration must be received by 9/9 by Kayak Connection.

There is a new rule for this tournament, where all participants must launch from Santa Cruz harbor.

For the people not familiar with parking and where to launch I will be post detailed directions later.

Fishing maybe slow this year, but that only means that anyone can win!
Hope to see everyone there.

-Brian

Dropped my entry by KC earlier today and I'm stoked for the tourney.  I like the new rules -- it normalizes the competition to have us all check in at 7:00 and exit from the harbor together.

Any idea if there will be live bait for sale next weekend?  it could make all the difference in flatties...

is kayak connection a supporter of the mlpa?  i heard that some kayak stores signed on as supporters.

Not sure on that chris, I will email mark and find out for sure.

I know that the procedes from the tourny are donated to the monterey trout and salmon project. I doubt that Mark makes any money for the shop from the tournaments, so regardless of their stance on the MLPAs the tournament benefits our stance on MLPAs.

-Brian G

If you go here: http://www.californiamarinereserves.org/who.html you'll see Kayak Connection and Monterey Bay Kayaks (both listed as Moss Landing) are both noted as sponsors of COOL's petition drive.

The pro-closure organization is COOL:
http://www.californiamarinereserves.org


i would like kayak connection in santa cruz to explain their position on the mlpa.  perhaps wilderness systems would like to enter an opinion as well.  then we can decide as to HOW and WHERE we spend our MONEY.

The inclusion of Kayak Connection on that list is why I will not be fishing this event.

I know that the procedes from the tourny are donated to the monterey trout and salmon project. I doubt that Mark makes any money for the shop from the tournaments, so regardless of their stance on the MLPAs the tournament benefits our stance on MLPAs

 I know Mark is pro-kayakfishing otherwise he wouldn't be sponsoring a derby, but on the other hand..... I'm guessing that a large number of his customers are the wildlife watchers and support COOL and the MLPA.

FYI.... Here are the consensus principles adopted by COOL

·   More ocean protection is needed.
·   Science shows that reserves are effective.
·   COOL supports marine reserves.
·   A "reserve" is NO TAKE.
·   MLPA and MLMA are good policy.
·   COOL supports the goals of the MLPA.
·   More diverse public input would benefit MLPA implementation.
·   MLPA Reserves should extend to state line, into deeper waters, and include all habitats.
·   CDFG Should monitor, fund, and enforce reserves.
·   The purpose of the MLPA is to limit take, not to limit access.
·   Access leads to awareness, which leads to a conservation ethic, and, in general, efforts to educate the public regarding potential impacts of activities are preferable to limiting access.

Until I'm clear about Kayak Connection's stance on these issues, I may sit out the derbies too

I will do the same.

Thanks for the heads-up Chris!

When I wrote my check for this tourney, I wrote it directly to the Salmon/Trout project.  My entry fee will in no way support COOL.

My attendance of this event should not be seen as an endorsement of Kayak Connection (although I *do* endorse them when possible) or of the MLPA.

That being said, you should in no way assume that I disagree with COOL or with their stance on MLPA.  Many sport fishers support MLPA and the idea of marine reserves.  Lumping all kayakers (even kayak fishers) together in one bucket is a mistake.  

I also think it's a mistake to boycott this tournament which so clearly  benefits kayak fisherpeople and the Salmon/Trout project.

I have not gotten a response from Mark yet as my email server has been having issues.

Does kayak connection get publicity from the tournament? YES

Do 100% of funds from the tournament go to the Salmon and Trout Project?  YES

How many of us have bought products from kayak connection? Not many

Do the tournaments help kayak connection? Most likely from the publicity

Is Mark a reasonable guy that will listen to opinions? Yes


I have not educated myself enough on the issues to really have a strong stance, but like most people I don't want my ocean's closed but I also want to see the fisheries last for the next generation. Finding that balance will not happen easy. Politics is about numbers and figures not facts.

Will I be at the derby, yes. If for nothing else than to talk to mark about his stance and support for COOL. Best way to make a change is one person at a time.  Even if you don't enter or fish the tourny, stop by to talk politics. I'll bring some extra beer, let's just keep it clean.

-Brian G

I have not gotten a response from Mark yet as my email server has been having issues.

Does kayak connection get publicity from the tournament? YES

Do 100% of funds from the tournament go to the Salmon and Trout Project?  YES

How many of us have bought products from kayak connection? Not many

Do the tournaments help kayak connection? Most likely from the publicity

Is Mark a reasonable guy that will listen to opinions? Yes


I have not educated myself enough on the issues to really have a strong stance, but like most people I don't want my ocean's closed but I also want to see the fisheries last for the next generation. Finding that balance will not happen easy. Politics is about numbers and figures not facts.

Will I be at the derby, yes. If for nothing else than to talk to mark about his stance and support for COOL. Best way to make a change is one person at a time.  Even if you don't enter or fish the tourny, stop by to talk politics. I'll bring some extra beer, let's just keep it clean.

-Brian G

This sounds like a reasonable response.  Please post a report and your findings.  I'm unable to make it this weekend.  Good luck to all.

Kevin

these talks has been going on for as long as i could remember and I've been fishing for a long time in these areas. each time an issue is brought up people make a big whaaa..... about it . my favor it fishing spots are still open till this day!!! for everyone to enjoy. till i have to actually vote for such a thing,  I'm going to enjoy all that  the ocean has to offer.............

these talks has been going on for as long as i could remember and I've been fishing for a long time in these areas. each time an issue is brought up people make a big whaaa..... about it . my favor it fishing spots are still open till this day!!! for everyone to enjoy. till i have to actually vote for such a thing,  I'm going to enjoy all that  the ocean has to offer.............

Maybe people making a big whaaaa about it is why you can still fish these places?

That being said, you should in no way assume that I disagree with COOL or with their stance on MLPA.  Many sport fishers support MLPA and the idea of marine reserves.  Lumping all kayakers (even kayak fishers) together in one bucket is a mistake.  

I also think it's a mistake to boycott this tournament which so clearly  benefits kayak fisherpeople and the Salmon/Trout project.

No ones lumping anyone here...

It is one thing to support the spirit of the MLPA (I do) and another to support the way it is being implemented (I don't). COOL is a group rtying to implement things in a way I don't agree with. Let's take COOLs points one by one:

· More ocean protection is needed.

Yes

· Science shows that reserves are effective.

OK sure and science shows not getting shot is a good way to stay alive,duh

· COOL supports marine reserves.

Whatever you want to do is cool

· A "reserve" is NO TAKE.

huh? Does no take = no fishing??

· MLPA and MLMA are good policy.

Good policy perhaps, horrible implementation though, the devil is in the details. Better policy would be to properly fund existing studies and programs

· COOL supports the goals of the MLPA.

OK

· More diverse public input would benefit MLPA implementation.

Yes but that is not happening, it is being controlled by some pretty powerful eco groups with little representation of others

· MLPA Reserves should extend to state line, into deeper waters, and include all habitats.

MLPA only talks about oceans, now you want to expand it?

· CDFG Should monitor, fund, and enforce reserves.

Yes it should but how, there are no provisions in the MLPA to provide funding to do this. Meaning once an MLPA always an MLPA in essence since no one can pay to monitor or fund it. I am sure they will find a way to enforce it though since they can write tickets.

· The purpose of the MLPA is to limit take, not to limit access.

There is the rub. So can I fish but not take? Commies as well? Why not use existing mechanisms to support this. Fewer commies, smaller limits on rockcod etc. That way you can protect the entire ocean.

· Access leads to awareness, which leads to a conservation ethic, and, in general, efforts to educate the public regarding potential impacts of activities are preferable to limiting access.

This has nothing to do with the MLPA. You can access these areas now, no MLPA needed.

Let's say we can fish in 100% of the area now, MLPA takes away at least 25% of that area putting even more pressure on the remaining 75%. This will lead to more MLPA's which will put more pressure on the remaining areas which will lead to more MLPA's.... anyone see a pattern there?

this is a fantastic debate!  we cannot currently fish 100% of the ocean. the RCA prohibits us from fishing deeper than 120 feet, most of the ocean is deeper than that, seems to me most of the ocean is closed. the mlpa will restrict the limited access we have.  the central coast anglers would be hit the hardest.  big sur is prime rockfish habitat [and scenically beautiful], that area is high on the list for closures.
  also i encourage brian and bigred to open a dialogue with marc. i have never met marc, i know nothing of him.  perhaps his perspective may enlighten me.  i would welcome him in this discussion.