Mailbag:

I found your article (“Balance of marine rules,” Oct. 14) well written and informative.

However, I would really like to get a few thoughts on all this published for all to see. While the basic concept is quite laudable, there are some very serious flaws in the process that should see the light of day. Closing off most of the coast off Laguna Beach is preposterous. Half or less would be fine.

Did Nick Fash of Heal the Bay take you on an aerial tour?

If so, or not for that matter, he at least rented a plane and took pictures. That suggests that moneyed interests are controlling this issue. The fishermen/boaters simply don’t have such well-funded advocacy groups. I would like to offer something similar. Let me take you out fishing, off Laguna Beach, with my 7-year-old grandson (or a kid of your choice). You will never forget the grin on his face when he catches (and we always release) a small calico bass.

And, do note that Fash pointed out that the waters off Laguna are the only good fishing to be found in these parts.

This whole process is a matter of good-intentioned legislation run amok. There are lots of flaws. I will point out a few:

1) There are not nearly enough game wardens to enforce any of this.

In fact, they came out against it. So what we will probably have are criminals fishing.

2) There is absolutely no data saying that recreational fishing has any significant impact on fish populations. If there were, the Department of Fish and Game would have reduced the bag limits. They could specify all sorts of restrictions such as barbless hooks (oh, I forgot, they could not enforce that either).

3) The fishing, diving and boating businesses will suffer. That means jobs lost!

4) Recreational fishing, I would submit, has almost no impact on the fish populations compared to sea lions, dolphins and sharks. If the population grows as hoped for, sea lions on the beaches and sharks in the surf should be a fun experience.

5) All these “public meetings” aren’t. They, for the most part, are during the working week when most fishermen are, well, working. Salaried personnel from well-funded special-interest groups appear and, if reports are accurate, run the meetings. I wouldn’t know. I work.

Thomas P. Crooks

Newport Beach

A little lesson on ‘that lifestyle’

Perhaps madame president of the Orange County Board of Education, Alexandria Coronado, could learn from the words, “This above all: to thine own self be true.”

First, “that lifestyle” is not a choice, your tax dollars do not pay for it, and no one makes you teach it to your children.

And you are the president of the school board?

Isabel James

Costa Mesa