Press Releases

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The release this week of a scientific review brings positive news to Governor Schwarzenegger in his work to create a balanced network of marine protected areas (MPAs) off California's coast.

The review comes as the state considers designating new managed areas that could restrict many ocean-related activities.

A key finding of the review-commissioned by the California Fisheries Coalition and released to the public today-is that existing marine fisheries regulations have already accomplished much of the ecosystem protection mandated by the 1999 Marine Life Protection Act.

Any effort to protect California's coastal environment must therefore incorporate the state's existing protections, instead of simply layering new regulations on top, the review finds.

To fulfill the goals outlined by the MLPA, the state is working to implement a network of MPAs along a stretch of the Central Coast later this year. The peer review corrects certain assertions made by the Science Advisory Team (SAT), a group of scientists advising the state as it narrows the list of MPA network proposals.

The list has been reduced to three, and the peer review finds that each package will benefit California's marine species about equally. However, two proposals recommend closing 40 percent or more of the most productive fishing grounds, leaving Package 1 as the only proposal that integrates California's strong existing protections.
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Package 1 would therefore ease the impact of fishery closures on coastal communities, which draw much of their economic lifeblood from commercial and recreational fishing. A successful MPA network must take full account of socioeconomic factors, the scientific review observes. Marine conservation efforts around the world have taught the lesson that MPAs implemented without broad community support invariably fail.

In his 2004 ocean protection plan, Governor Schwarzenegger supports California's ocean-dependent economies. The state's fishing industry carries a long and storied history, and should be allowed to maintain its role in satisfying the state's healthy appetite for fresh seafood.

Existing management is based on the best available science, and has triggered significant recoveries among fisheries that were suffering the effects of overfishing several years ago-including the state's ling cod fishery, which was declared rebuilt by the Pacific Fishery Management Council in November.

The review states that maintaining these regulations, in place for more than 50 years and strengthened in the past decade, is crucial to any effort at protecting California's marine environment.

"It is clear that the impact of MPAs is minor relative to the fisheries management actions taken by the PFMC (Pacific Fisheries Management Council) and State," the review concludes.

The review was conducted by three respected West Coast fisheries biologists: Ray Hilborn of the University of Washington, Carl Walters of the University of British Columbia and Richard Parrish, who retired this year from the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The process now moves to the Fish and Game Commission, which is slated to select one of the three proposals by November.

For more information on the MLPA Initiative and California Fisheries Coalition, and to obtain a complete copy of the peer review, visit the CFC website:  www.cafisheriescoalition.org.

The California Fisheries Coalition consists of 23 recreational and commercial fishing associations, seafood processors, abalone growers, kelp harvesters, harbor officials and individuals. CFC's activities support the livelihood and recreation of hundreds of thousands of California citizens and visitors. The local fish and shellfish produced by its members reach millions of consumers in California and overseas. CFC's membership contributes $5.5 billion annually to the state's economy. The coalition has participated in all aspects of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative.