OC and NRDC are Hard at Work

[edsofish]

It seems the Ocean Conservancy and the NRDC are making a big push to the public at large to support the IPA. The article is requesting people be at the Commission meeting where they will be briefed on what to say and will receive lunch.

The NRDC has even made a surf movie with some big wave surfers saying "Don't shut the door on the Ocean" and saying they want MPA's.

Being a surfer for over 50 years I just had to comment to the 'brothers of the waves' 'and post a comment on YouTube. As follows;

Welcome to the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative.

If you are only now becoming aware of the MLPAI and its goal of ecosystem protection then you need to know some very important facts.

1. As I have stated, the MLPAI is about ecosystem protection.

2. Goals and objectives have been formulated in order to carry out the purpose of the MLPAI.

3. Scientific guidelines, as well as guidelines from a Blue Ribbon Task Force, have been provided to the Regional Stakeholders as tools for creating an array of Marine Protected Areas.

4. Significant time and money have been spent to identify the socioeconomic impacts, restricted public access, enforceability, and other consequences of closing large portions of California waters. (approximately 18 to 25% of the geographies most people frequent)

5. Implementation of the MLPAI will require the State to provide $30 to 60 million dollars each year, for monitoring, enforcement, and public outreach.

6. All MPA's around the world are successful, only if, the local communities support them.

7. Special Closures will be "no go" areas and that includes no surfing.

8. State Marine Reserves can be made into "no go" areas at any time by the Fish and Game Commission. (How about no more surfing at Rincon, or Malibu, or Maveriks. Can happen. Mav's is already on the list as a SMR. Careful what you ask for folks.)

9. Everyone wants sustainable fisheries and a healthy ocean.

10. No Marine Reserve or network of MPA's in the World can protect against global warming, oil spills, pollution, or natural disasters.

Only one proposal, currently before the Commission, realizes and conforms to all the points stated above. Qualities such as, conforming to the scientific guidelines in the larger "preferred" size range, and the highest conservation value, more than meets the goals and objectives of the MLPAI, has the support of local communities,including surfers like Dick Keating, myself and many others, is the easiest to comply with and enforce, maintains the most important public accesses, will cost the least dollars to the State, and has the least socioeconomic impact. This proposal is proposal 2/XA.

So please, do come out and support proposal 2/XA; the BEST choice for protecting California, its natural resources, public accesses, and maintaining sustainability for the local communities.

For verification of stated facts, please go to the California Department of Fish and Game website and search for MLPAI.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

My door is wide open for the Great Mother Ocean. "Don't slam the door on the ocean." Let's protect our ocean and make sure we, and our children, are able to access it, its resources, and enjoy it.

Thanks,


Ed Tavasieff
surfing at Kelly's Cove for 53 years.

Regional Stakeholder for the North Central Coast Study Area.

Sustainable hook and line fisherman for 34 years.

[Matt Plut]

Ed,

I am once again awed by your analysis and response to the ongoing propaganda associated with the MLPA. Those who want us off the water have begun their final assault on the public with the usual crap they feed to their associates and the uninformed general public.

They WILL be in Sacramento next week in large numbers.

ANYONE WITH AN INTEREST IN FUTURE FISHING OPPORTUNITIES SHOULD BE IN SACRAMENTO NEXT THURSDAY.