MLPA reserves coming first to Pigeon Pt - Pt Conception area

(Pasadena, April 11 2005) The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process moved forward today with the selection of a Central Coast Study Region. In a unanimous vote that conformed with the recommendations of the MLPA Science Advisory Committee and Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) staff, the BRTF chose a broad stretch of the California coastline ranging from Pigeon Point to Point Conception. This approximately 166 mile span will be the first area to receive a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or reserves.

Mark Carr, speaking for the Science Advisory Team, explained that Point Conception is an ideal southern terminus for the Central Coast Study Region because it is a significant marine biogeographic province boundary. The northern counterpart of this distinct marine environment is the San Francisco Bay area, or a point even farther north, Bodega Head. The BRTF chose to place the northern edge of the Study Region at Pigeon Point for political rather than biological reasons. By stopping short of San Francisco, the BRTF avoids involving Bay Area stakeholder groups in a process that will already be daunting and complicated.  

Now that a Study Area has been selected, the MPA network planning process will shift to a Regional Study Group (RSG). Nominations for stakeholder group representatives to sit on the RSG will be accepted by the BRTF for approximately the next ten days. One member of the BRTF will act as a liaison to the RSG; this representation may be handed off from member to member on a rotating basis.  In addition, the Science Advisory Team will select a Science Committee Subteam to work with the RSG. The RSG will have about one year to complete its work of identifying a preferred MPA network.

At this point there is no way to estimate or predict how much of the Central Coast Study Region will eventually be closed to fishing. The KFASC will continue to closely follow the MLPA planning process to defend the interests of kayak anglers. When appropriate, the KFASC provides comment to the BRTF. Although the KFASC is unlikely to have direct representation on the RSG, we will work closely with those members of the recreational fishing community that are selected for the panel.