North Coast MLPA process has begun

[Brandi]

Pre-MLPA and informational meetings have been going on here on the North Coast in preparations for the MLPA process to officially begin in the very near future.

Here is information for upcoming meetings regarding the North Coast MLPA process.

MLPA North Coast Open Houses

The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) requires the state to examine and redesign California’s system of marine protected areas (MPAs). The success of this effort depends on the participation and input of stakeholders and the general public.

A series of public open houses will provide an introduction to the MLPA Initiative’s North Coast Project, which will cover state waters from the California border with Oregon to Alder Creek near Point Arena in Mendocino County.

Each open house will provide an opportunity for you to learn more about the MLPA Initiative process and how you can get involved. Questions are welcome!

All are welcome to attend. Drop by anytime between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Monday, July 20
Wharfinger Building
#1 Marina Way
Eureka, CA 95501

Tuesday, July 21
Dana Gray Elementary School
1197 Chestnut Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437

Wednesday, July 22
Cultural Center
1001 Front Street
Crescent City, CA 95531

Please Save the Date, July 23, for the MLPA North Coast Data Outreach Meeting!

The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative has begun preparations for the north coast marine protected area (MPA) planning process. The MLPA North Coast Study Region is located between the California/Oregon border in Del Norte County and Alder Creek near Point Arena in Mendocino County. More information about the MLPA Initiative can be found online at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa.

As part of a joint fact-finding effort, organizations in the north coast may have interest in sharing data relevant to the MPA planning process to supplement existing data. To share with you information about the MLPA Initiative and data used in the MPA planning process, and to discuss potentially available data for the north coast, the MLPA Initiative will host a meeting in Eureka on July 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The specific meeting location and further details are forthcoming; lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Dominique Monié at dominiquemonie@gmail.com as space will be limited. Questions may also be directed to Dominique at 805-722-5997.



WHAT: MLPA North Coast Study Region Data Outreach Meeting

WHEN: July 23, 2009. 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

WHERE: Eureka (specific location TBD)

WHO: Organizations interested in sharing data relevant to the MLPA planning process and individuals interested in learning more about how data is used in the MLPA planning process

[rojodiablo]

My advice? Figure out QUICKLY who will be able to devote lots of time to follow the process and can afford the time it takes to get to the meetings. Try to get the basic science guidelines figured out quickly; your waters are different than southern waters, keep that in perspective. And, get your local people together, and by hook or by crook, get them involved. Get together with ALL the different fishing groups, and get united. This will mean people MUST recognize the commercial fisherman's access is just as important as their recreational access. You both need the same water to ply your trade in; DO NOT WASTE TIME FIGHTING ABOUT WHO IS RIGHT, WHO IS WRONG, WHO IS GREEDY. If you do... you are automatically shooting holes in your ship.

[Noyo Jim]

I started a email list for all people interested in the north coast MLPA region.

PM me with your contact info if you want to join the party.

Thanks!

[zenspearo]

As Paul said, do all you can to stay united with all consumptives. Conquer and divide of consumptive groups one-by-one is the strategy that must not be allowed to succeed.

Down here, we see attempts at dividing commercials vs. recreationals, divers vs. spearos, even spearos from one geography are played against spearos from another geography. Don't let anyone or anything shoot holes in your ship. Stay united and remember your goal is to get through this process with the minimal impact for consumptives. You won't please everyone--figure out what you can do, do it, and move on.


Once you get the people who are willing/can spend the time, empower them and back them up. These people are your most precious assets in this fight and need to be shown love often and backed up if/when possible.


Good luck. Let me know what I can do as mod--I'll do all I can to help.

[Chris Lupin]

Good luck up there guys. I've been following the Southern region MLPA for about 6 months and I'm already sick of it. There are people who have been on this the whole time (more than a year), and we are still not near finished. This is a LOOOONNNGGG process, but stay with it. Do all you can to make sure your voice is heard. You do not want to look back after the closures are decided and wish you would have done more.

[So Cal Shaggy]

Brandi, if you guys need any help with ideas for public outreach let us know, I have no problem sacrificing phone or E-mail time to help out. I do not want other consumptive users to have to learn the hard way some of the lessons we have learned through this process down here.