My wife thinks I'm sick.....

[DaveW]

....and maybe she's right: I've been appointed to the North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group.

Although I am primarily a yak-fisher and spearo, I will represent all sportfishers to the best of my abilities. I'm sorry I haven't posted much on the site, but this MLPA process (the external array process) has got me whupped. I will begin posting regularly on this site. All your comments regarding the MLPA can be flown here and I will respond and try to implement.

I must, however, state that for sport and commercial fishers, we are giving up ground. If you believe that the MLPA should not be, I understand. But the best that I can do in this process is damage control. We must be prepared to give up something. i will try my damdest to get the best possible deal I can.

We need to stick together.

Dave

[Matt Plut]

All I can say is congratulations and condolences Dave. I wish you the best in your endeavors. I know it wil be very trying to say the least.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SBD]

Sickness is better than apathy. Thanks for stepping up Dave, we couldn't have a better rep.

[Tunapalooza]

David,

Good luck with that! I looked at the RSG list and cannot get a good read because I don't know the people. Based on stated affiliations, it seems that the three largest groups may be fairly characterized as non-consumptive enviros, tribal representatives, and consumptive commercial. Only a handful of self-identified recreational anglers/divers. Not that it matters, as the BRTF will do what it wants in any event.

Marc

[DaveW]

David,

Good luck with that! I looked at the RSG list and cannot get a good read because I don't know the people. Based on stated affiliations, it seems that the three largest groups may be fairly characterized as non-consumptive enviros, tribal representatives, and consumptive commercial. Only a handful of self-identified recreational anglers/divers. Not that it matters, as the BRTF will do what it wants in any event.

Marc

Brandi Easter is the spearo rep. There do seem to be some other sport fish reps and a few commercial fish marketers. The tribes, being an issue that has not really come up in the other regions, are well represented. It will be interesting to see how the BRTF handles them. The tribes position, I believe, is that they are sovereign nations and they don't really care or need to abide by what the State of CA or the feds comes up with. Additionally, they maintain that fish stocks were fine for the 10,000 years they managed them.

The folks conspicuously absent from the roster are Jim Martin and the RFA nominees. From a personal standpoint, this is a blow. Jim knows this stuff inside and out and I was looking to depend on him for guidance. From a political standpoint, I don't know what happened. Jim has worked tirelessly around the MLPA issue, and, specifically, he put in hundreds of hours on our community group up here in mendo (MOCA). There were folks appointed to the RSG, while being nice people, that have not done anything with the community on this issue. Jim, of all people, deserves to be on this thing. If I could switch out with him I'd do it, but that's not how it works.

Also, Sean, your support means a TON to me. Thank you,

Dave

Another also: I'm new to the layout here. Can someone tell me if there's a " go to new replies to you posts" button? I can't seem to find it.

[Sleeter]

I wish you the best of luck with MLPA. Play hard ball as much as possible.

The fact that Jim is not appointed should speak volumes! Of course the iTeam does not want him around the process - he is way to informed on the details and nuances. I read that as another clear signal of their intent. If there was one sport rep that should have been there it is Jim. Yikes!

Best way to track specific threads you are interested in is to "subscribe" to the thread. At the top of each thread there is a drop down called "thread tools." From there you can subscribe.

[DaveW]

Thanks Ben.

I guess I was a little jumping the gun here. Are folks on this board interested in having regular reports from the RSG? Sorry to assume.

Dave

[Sleeter]

Absolutely! Please keep us informed as to what is going on up there. That is very valuable information. Having been through a couple of these RSG's the info is a bit difficult for me to read (my blood pressure starts rising quickly) but regardless it is critical for everybody to stay as informed as possible. If there is anything you need from the site do not hesitate to ask.

I'll try to get a "go to new replies to you posts" button. Gotta find where that is hiding.

[polepole]

Dave, you are sick. But we're right there with you!!!

FYI, I was officially notified that I will NOT be your alternate. As always, they are changing the rules and there will be NO alternates for the North Coast RSG. WTF?

-Allen

[LotsaLuck]

Thanks Dave and please keep us posted. Good Luck!

[Guitarfish]

I'm also very interested, and prone to the rising blood pressure caused by these sham procedures. I'm starting my own sovereign nation so I can fish forever. Whatever happened to the U.S. constitution and our right to fish?

[NoyoJim]

Congrats, Dave! Don't worry, I still have your back.

They actually appointed all of RFA's nominees EXCEPT me. Tim Klassen, Ben Doane (both from Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers) and Brandi Easter (spearo), Kevin McGrath (Shelter Cove).

What are they afraid of? I'm just a harmless little fuzz ball.

The lack of any commercial fishing (crab, salmon, groundfish) from Fort Bragg is outrageous. Tom Trumper is a great guy and deserves to be on but he would be the first to admit he lacks the knowledge to represent those industries. He is an urchin processor and diver. Not one rep from Albion.

Also they rejected a grassroots conservation rep from Mendocino County, Judith Vidaver, who is working with the fishermen, in favor of a paid rep of the NRDC. Judith's group, the Ocean Protection Coalition, is a co-plaintiff in our lawsuit against FERC over wave energy. They are more concerned about non-fishing impacts to marine resources, like oil drilling, pollution, etc.

They do have some good tribal representation and it will be interesting to see how the sovereignty issue plays out. The tribes have all signed on to a statement saying they never ceded their rights. And publicly many have stated they do not intend to abide by any regulations affecting their traditional grounds and usages. (That would be the entire region, basically). Somewhere between 5% and 10% of the population of the 3 counties is Native American.

For an awesome discussion of tribal issues check out the panel discussion at the Crescent City BRTF meeting in January. One of the tribal members set out some whooping crane parts they used in their ceremonies and stated he did not have a permit to possess this federally-protected species. "I show you this because I want to make the statement that we will continue to do what we have done for 10,000 years." Of course being the a-hole that I am, I kidded a warden about not making the bust. "Discretion," he says.

The BRTF doesn't have the ability (the way I read the law on federally-recognized tribal rights) to shut off traditional native uses, which consist of nearshore gathering of things like mussels, kelp, surf fish etc. So it really creates a problem because to allow any of those activities in an MPA because it lowers the "Level of Protection" of that MPA down to nothing.

[Red Abalone Diving]

Congrats Dave and all the best!
If you want or need help with understanding the abalone data that will be and is presented in the NC process thus far, please fell free to ask and I will help in every way possible. The recreational abalone fishery is and will be highly effected by the NC MLPAI and in fact, by the end of the NC process will start the beginning of the zonal management phase of the recreational abalone fishery. The new zonal recreational abalone will see reductions the TAC and the yearly/bag limits. The placement selection and the allowed uses of the NC MPA's will be the critical factor in determining what the recreational abalone fishery can and will be. Trust me on this, all is not so peachy with the abalone fishery as one would think. B.Sleeter spoke of Mr. Martin of RFA not being selected to the RSG should speal volumes, here again is the case with me. Although I am not a locial resident of the NC area, I myself, not being selected to NCRSG is yet another case of the volumes which Ben is pointing too. I'll do what I can and the best of luck.

Bill

[DaveW]

I'm glad glad Jim's got my back. He just laughs at me: "Dude, you're just way to much of a nice guy for this." I'm sure I'll be miserable by the time this is over. Go beat up my dog or something. grrrrr.......

[edsofish]

Hello Dave, and I will refrain from any congratulations. Don't take it personally but having been there and done that I can only say you are in a position to have your, and those whom you choose to represent outside of your interests, voices heard. Will anyone listen...........maybe. I know you are coming into this as a diving representative but those interests are likely to become more diverse as you become more involved in the many facets of consumptive users.

I believe you will realize there are many of us, as consumptive users, who utilize the same resources and wish to manage them sustainably even though we have different means of harvest. I will also add that there are many species dependent on each other and success of one species is relative to the success or demise of another.

I would urge you to enlighten yourself with all the science utilized in the process and attend the SAT meetings as much as possible. Do not feel overwhelmed or less than knowledgeable while in discussion of the science being presented; rather feel empowered to ask questions no matter how odd they may seem. Knowledge is power and you are about to embark on a very steep learning curve. There are those of us here who can help you, if needed, and support you throughout this process.

I would urge you to review the previous North Central Coast Study Region Regional Stakeholders Meetings and associated SAT and BRTF meetings as well. I say this because there are many similarities between the North Central Coast Study Region and the North Coast both in species and harvest methodologies. Also much of the politics will be revealed to you that warrant your time.

I will be here with others to assist you as needed.

All the Best.

[arch]

Dave....thanks for joining the group and being elected to the RSG. Take good notes, speak clearly and loudly on what you believe is right for the NCC Study Region. Glad to see so many Native Americans on the list as well, it will be interesting to see what they want and if they get any of their wishes. As they go walked all over and gave up in the NCCSR. Please keep us all informed of the goings on. We are all hear to help you get through this and still remain sane. This is you chance to see how Govt really works and the true definiation of "transparent." Cant wait to see the maps to see if my perdictions are right..............Good Luck. Arch Richardson & Cate Carre

[DaveW]

Ed and Arch,

Thanks so much for the advice and support. I will need all the help I can get (Jim will jump on that one).

Hey Arch, could you have Tommy W. email me? My home computer blew up and I don't have his email address.

Dave

[Hat Trick]

good luck dave!
and hello jim-from chris the east bay kayaker-maybe i will see you around the mendo this summer again.

[arch]

Dave,,,,,,,,tommy's email bluewaterhunter@comcast.net Also I always like to sit near the microphone during the meetings, front row if possible. This puts you in a spot where you can shake your head in either a yes or no motion and the panel infront of you can see that you agree or dis agree with the speaker. It's like speaking and voteing when you don't have the floor. Dont be afraid to talk with the Commision members either, as we know at least two of them will be on your side. I'll try to make it up for a meeting once things get going and heat up. Hang in there and think positive to the end.............