Anglers fear losing sites

When the California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative began its goal to preserve coastal habitats throughout the state, most agreed it was a good thing. It is where and how to preserve the marine ecosystems that is stirring up debate among several interested parties.

The 1999 Marine Life Protection Act was established to redesign California’s system of marine-protected areas, designated regions in ocean waters that are protected by law to conserve marine life and habitat.

“Marine protected areas have benefits,” said Melissa Miller-Henson, program manager for the California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. “They are effective at protecting certain species and beneficial to a variety of habitats.”

Common restrictions to the protection acts include constraints on fishing, gas or oil mining, and tourism access. Strict guidelines may call for no-take zones, where it is completely against the law to use any part of the area.

“Marine-protected areas allow habitats to remain in their natural state,” said Stephen Wertz, senior biologist supervisor for the California Department of Fish and Game. “They remove fishing pressure and allow fish to get larger so they are able to populate the region.”

As the state’s Marine Life Protection Act team begins work to meet the act’s guidelines in the South Coast area, local anglers are concerned that some of the best fishing spots will soon be off-limits.

“If marine reserves are predominant in the final outcome, it is going to directly affect my sales,” said Alex Masumoto, owner of the Rusty Hook tackle shop in San Pedro.

“The selection process is very important.”

Representatives from the initiative team maintain they are eager to get the community involved so that the process can include the concerns of all affected groups.

“The good news is they’re starting with a clean slate,” said Tom Raftican, president of United Anglers of Southern California. “They are asking questions and trying to get the right people involved in critical decisions on how to place marine-protected areas.”

Raftican said the state tried to implement a system of protection acts five years ago, but the mission was unsuccessful.

“Before, they tried to impose restrictions without an open public process, and so far, this seems to be starting on a much different foot,” Raftican said. “They are bringing all parties to the table and listening instead of telling.”

The Marine Life Protection Act Initiative team will gather information for the next year to get insight into how this will affect surrounding communities. Team members will also collect data from scientists, contractors and conservation groups.

“It is a very transparent process with a wide variety of specialists to ensure it is transparent,” Wertz said.

Anglers contend that only certain spots along the coast are good for fishing.

“If you look at the entire ocean, there are only small portions that are highly fishable depending on the structure or bottom makeup,” Raftican said. “These areas are critically important to both fisheries and conservationists.”

The Newport Beach Chapter for the Surfrider Foundation recommends the area between Little Corona and El Moro be designated as a marine protected area.

“The Little Corona tide pools have been degraded by extensive human use and they would benefit from more protection,” said Mike Reicher, member of the Newport Beach Chapter for the Surfrider Foundation.

Deciding where to draw the line is not an easy process. Many people will be affected by the final outcome.

“If the marine-protected areas are located in all the best spots, even if it’s 10% of the coastline, if that 10% includes all the best spots, it’s going to kill us,” Masumoto said.

“They have to keep some fishing areas open because if they don’t, it will economically devastate a lot of local businesses.”

Masumoto said he hopes the process is fair, but only time will tell.

“Marine reserves are minimal right now,” he said. “When they decide what is going to be closed to all fishing, we will realize the impact.

“The success or failure of the program will depend on whether or not they keep people informed.”

The Marine Life Protection Act Initiative team assures that all parties involved will have a fair say in the process.

“The No. 1 thing the public should know is that their involvement is important,” Miller-Henson said.