MLPA workshop attendance statistics--keep it up guys. Don't slack now.

[zenspearo]

From Big Joe's Bloodydecks' post.

>>>>>>>>>>>Well the turnout so far has been a little weak the further north we go...
These are the numbers for attendance so far:
Carlsbad - 130
San Diego - 280
Laguna - 180
San Pedro - 90
Marina Del Rey - 80 <<<<<<<<<<<<<


While I'm proud of my hometown San Diego (and the young whipper-snapper club SDFD) and happy for my friend Jeff Sporcich who pushed for Laguna's attendance (which was very respectable despite strong opposition and the lack of an established dive club), I can't help but feel frustrated for the effort of others (kelpangler, Grego, Joe Farlo, Paul R., etc.) who have pushed for PV. Given the size of LA county, the number of anglers/divers up there, TWO established dive clubs and the massive effort these guys put out, there should have been more, many more in attendance.

To put it in perspective, Orange county's single meeting has more attendance than both San Pedro and MDR COMBINED.

I know the Ventura number is weak and I'm holding my breath for the Santa Barbara statistics.

I'm hoping that some of you are going to try to make the Catalina one. Our comments will guide Round 3 discussion. We need to push and not give up now.

[kelpangler]

Joe, it's certainly disappointing to see those numbers for San Pedro and MDR. Not only because we were out there all weekend trying to let fishermen know about the workshops, but also because both were conveniently located for boaters right next to the docks.

There were a number of kayakers/spearos there, although obviously not in force.

[Nekton]

Not to derail the thread but 280 at the SD Open House? That's great! I couldn't tell how many folks were coming and going and thought it was 150 people or so total. I'm glad this was a gross underestimate.

Thanks to Joe and a lot of dedicated spearo's and kayakers I think we were successful in getting a lot of new H&L fisherman into the fight by distributing flyers to shops and individuals at boat launch ramps. You would think San Pedro and MDR would have at least as many concerned fishermen. LA/

[MOTO 619]

Must have been those amazing flyers!

[Nekton]

Originally Posted by MOTO 619

Must have been those amazing flyers!

Yes, awesome flyer and poster designs in SD! Also helped some to blackmail, bribe, and beat on my bodysurf bro's to show up

[zenspearo]

Originally Posted by MOTO 619

Must have been those amazing flyers!

Yes yes.

[So Cal Shaggy]

Originally Posted by zenspearo

From Big Joe's Bloodydecks' post.

>>>>>>>>>>>Well the turnout so far has been a little weak the further north we go...
These are the numbers for attendance so far:
Carlsbad - 130
San Diego - 280
Laguna - 180
San Pedro - 90
Marina Del Rey - 80 <<<<<<<<<<<<<


While I'm proud of my hometown San Diego (and the young whipper-snapper club SDFD) and happy for my friend Jeff Sporcich who pushed for Laguna's attendance (which was very respectable despite strong opposition and the lack of an established dive club), I can't help but feel frustrated for the effort of others (kelpangler, Grego, Joe Farlo, Paul R., etc.) who have pushed for PV. Given the size of LA county, the number of anglers/divers up there, TWO established dive clubs and the massive effort these guys put out, there should have been more, many more in attendance.

To put it in perspective, Orange county's single meeting has more attendance than both San Pedro and MDR COMBINED.

I know the Ventura number is weak and I'm holding my breath for the Santa Barbara statistics.

I'm hoping that some of you are going to try to make the Catalina one. Our comments will guide Round 3 discussion. We need to push and not give up now.

Joe, thanks I knew all the stress and loss of sleep through the Laguna campaign would be worth it but I cannot take much credit Erika was a BIG help she dropped off flyers at the local tackle shops while I was working and kept checking back with them once or twice a week to make sure they still had flyers.

[Namor]

I dont know what the stats will show, but there sure seemed to be a lot of divers in the house tonight in Santa Barbara. I was relived and stoked to see the turnout.

Jeremy

[capreef]

I was there

[kkam]

i was there and met alot of faces from spear board

[fishmunger]

I wish I could make the meeting in Santa Barbara! Unfortunately (well actually not unfortunately ) I'm in Indonesia for the entire summer working as a boatman at a surf camp! You guys should see the fish they have out here...and the water is 85 degrees and crystal clear every day.

I hope there is a BIG showing and I hope you guys can get the point conception closure crossed off the list, that place is prime!

peace

[Wind_in_his_hair]

The lack of attendance is the States failure not the diving/fishing community. Its my understanding that the Law requires the State to solicit input from the public. With a population of 15million they got less than 200 people in LA County to attend. Did they do any advertising to try and increase these numbers? TV, Radio or print? How much money did they spend on out reach? Instead of directing frustration at fellow divers you should be asking the State why no one showed up.

2855. Master Plan for Adoption of Marine Life Protection Program

(c) The department and team, in carrying out this chapter, shall take into account
relevant information from local communities, and shall solicit comments and advice
for the master plan from interested parties on issues including, but not necessarily
limited to, each of the following:
(1) Practical information on the marine environment and the relevant history of
fishing and other resources use, areas where fishing is currently prohibited, and
water pollution in the state's coastal waters.
(2) Socioeconomic and environmental impacts of various alternatives.
(3) Design of monitoring and evaluation activities.
(4) Methods to encourage public participation in the stewardship of the state's
MPAs.

[Urchin_Diver]

i didnt attend since everyone i talked to said the oxnard one was pretty weak. Just more of an informative meeting. My buddy said it seemed like everyone "working" there was pro-closure.

So i opted to work yesterday instead of the SB meeting. sorry guys

anybody disagree? was that all it was?

[zenspearo]

Originally Posted by ladvr

The lack of attendance is the States failure not the diving/fishing community. Its my understanding that the Law requires the State to solicit input from the public. With a population of 15million they got less than 200 people in LA County to attend. Did they do any advertising to try and increase these numbers? TV, Radio or print? How much money did they spend on out reach? Instead of directing frustration at fellow divers you should be asking the State why no one showed up.

I hear what you are saying. And I agree that the lack of notice is deplorable.

This is directed at your point and not at you Mike--because I know you have been there.

Let's be realistic. This process is paid for by RLFF. The I-team staff's salary ain't paid for by you and me. This broke-ass State has prostituted itself to preseverationists' money.

We will have as much success appealing to the State and the powers that be to observe due process as the Birmingham marchers have appealing to Bull Connor and Governor Wallace. Beat our head against that wall and see how that goes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_Connor

Let's say we direct our little energy and time to complain about their lack of proper notice. Join the long list of grievances (lack of $ to enforce, Sutton, scientists with agenda, bypassing democratic process, lack of accountability, etc.). Spend our time and energy there.

I have little faith that we'll get any more of a fair shake than we did in raising the previous grievances, which are all very legitimate in my view. I'm not saying that they won't politely listen to you and give you some feel-good lines when you point out that they didn't follow due process and give proper notice. They may even hand you some vaseline.

But who here is willing to bet your diving spot on the success of such a complaint to the MLPA staff or the legislature.

There are things in life we can control and affect. Our participation is one in this process. There are others. We can choose to direct our finite and limited energy to do the most good in what we can control.

Or we can beat our head against the same wall, hoping for some politician to overlook the money and do the right and fair thing.

[Namor]

Originally Posted by Urchin_Diver

i didnt attend since everyone i talked to said the oxnard one was pretty weak. Just more of an informative meeting. My buddy said it seemed like everyone "working" there was pro-closure.

So i opted to work yesterday instead of the SB meeting. sorry guys

anybody disagree? was that all it was?

Yeah the one in Oxnard was pretty weak; mostly because few consumptives showed up. The Santa Barbara diver turnout seemed really good to me. There were also numerous anti fishing folk too.

If you wish you had come and commented it's not too late, use the public comment form and submit your comments for consideration online. Also those that have second or additional thoughts that they didnt express at the workshop can do so as well.

I may be mistaken but this seems like a battle of increments, each side (and there are more than 2) has its advocates and the number of comments and suggestions for each position will be weighed against those in opposition. I have been told that specific (not "MLPA is unfair, I dont want it" types) recommendations will be used in setting up this last round of maps that comes next and will determine where we dive and what we take from our coast in the future.

So many people have met have worked hard to get the best outcome in this flawed process, and I hope that all of us who joined in more recently (like myself) can make an extra effort to support their work on our behalf. This is the time for one more push to make sure consumptives voices are not marginalized.

If you have a dog in this fight make sure its bark is heard now!

Jeremy