California nominates MPAs for federal program

[Seacidal]

The National Marine Protected Areas Center has received the first round of nominations for existing MPAs to join the national system of MPAs, based on a call for nominations from November 2008 through February 2009.

This list of nominated sites has now been published in the Federal Register for a 30-day public review period ending April 6.

The group of 225 sites includes all 13 National Marine Sanctuaries, four National Estuarine Research Reserves, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, ten National Parks, 99 National Wildlife Refuges, and 101 sites managed by nine coastal state and territorial governments.

Territorial and state governments nominating sites to the national system included American Samoa, California, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington.

California's nominations are attached.

Following review of public comments, the final nominations will be formally accepted as charter members of the national system in April.

[spearthebigones]

So what does this mean? Will this change anything down the road, like increased fishing limits, ban of all fishing, ect...?

Or does this simply mean that the MPA zones will now become permanent and not up to California to change?

[Urchin_Diver]

Gee i thought our MPA's were to be reviewed every five years

[Seacidal]

So what does this mean? Will this change anything down the road, like increased fishing limits, ban of all fishing, ect...?

Or does this simply mean that the MPA zones will now become permanent and not up to California to change?

It could mean all kinds of things. Like federal oversight of MPAs, review of any determinations of their effectiveness, design and monitoring.

The federal government has significant ability to influence actions taken by California. It will be interesting to see how this develops.

[Robbert]

Could also mean the state is bucking the bill to monitor these MPA's and the $ argument against MPA's for lack of funding goes out the window cause as we all know the Fed's have a unlimited supply of $$.

- Robbert

[Seacidal]

The federal MPA advisory group has already sought to address the funding issue. The report published last year provided a number of mechanisms and approaches for developing the necessary funding while providing additional benefits to states. Many of the suggestions seemed like they were custom made for California's situation.
I don't know that I would bank on the funding argument as a means to resolve this issue.