State adopts network of protected marine areas

By Tony Barboza, Los Angeles Times
December 16, 2010

Reporting from Santa Barbara – More than 350 square miles of ocean from Point Conception to the U.S.-Mexico border — about 15% of the Southern California coast — will be protected under a network of marine reserves narrowly approved by state wildlife officials.

The 3-2 vote Wednesday by the California Fish and Game Commission bans or restricts fishing
in 49 protected marine areas designed to replenish depleted fish populations and protect marine life.

Read the rest of the story here.

Judge rules MLPA officials must release public records

photo credit: TheTruthAbout…

By Ed Zieralski

September 30, 2010 at 8:56 p.m.

A Sacramento County Superior Court judge ruled Thursday that the Blue Ribbon Task Force and the Master Plan Team for the Marine Life Protection Act South Coast Region are “state agencies” and must adhere to the California Public Records Act.

Judge Patrick Marlette ruled in favor of San Diego’s Robert C. Fletcher, saying the agencies must release all requested documents related to the South Coast Region of the Marine Life Protection Act by Oct. 10.

The Blue Ribbon Task Force and the Master Plan Team have been charged with drawing up proposals for enactment of the Marine Life Protection Act.

Read the rest of the story at the San Diego Union-Tribune here.

Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro Asks for Six-Month Delay in MLPA Implementation

“Citing concerns about how the Marine Life Protection Act is being implemented on the North Coast, Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) has asked California Resources Secretary Lester Snow to delay the process for at least six months to ensure that environmental protection is balanced with traditional access rights. Chesbro made the request in a recent meeting with Snow.”

Read the rest of Assemblymember Chesbro’s press release here.

The Wall Street Journal Reports on Marine Life Protection Act

In today’s edition of The Wall Street Journal, reporter Jean Guerrero reports on the Marine Life Protection Act.

Fishermen sort sea urchins at the Port of Los Angeles last week. Photo Credit: David McNew, The Wall Street Journal

Among other things, she notes that, “Many fishermen say they don’t understand the need for more marine protected areas in waters off California, where the ocean is already highly regulated.”

You can read the entire story here.