KFASC August 2005 Newsletter

[KFASC]

Kayak Fishing Association of Southern California
Dedicated to preserve and expand kayak fishing opportunities
www.kayakfishingassociationsocal.org

August 2005 Newsletter

MLPA UPDATE – Gloomy Outlook for Saltwater Anglers
California Fish & Game Commission Unanimously Adopts Master Plan /
Coastside Fishing Club Moving Toward Legal Challenge to MLPA Funding /
Central California Working Group Labors On In Cone of Silence

Although the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) hasn’t been front page news recently, the process that will result in a statewide network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) continues to unfold at blinding speed. Only now, the process appears more and more like a rigged game heading for a pre-determined conclusion that will mean massive closures of our most productive waters.

Master Plan Framework Rubber-Stamped
The first bit of news was the August 18 adoption of the MLPA Master Plan Framework by the California Fish & Game Commission. It was a notable step as the Commission will have the final say on the implementation of the eventual MPA network. The Framework has continued to evolve since it was deemed “finished” by the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force. Many in the fishing community felt that prior versions of the Framework were heavily biased towards closures.

Although some changes were made to reduce the bias towards marine reserves that has been written into the document by interest groups in favor of massive closures, the Framework still appears to dramatically exceed the requirements of the MLPA law. That the Commission essentially rubber-stamped the flawed document is an ominous sign for the fishing community. For those who have been holding out hope that the Commission would be a final level playing field, this is a sad day. As the MLPA process continues it appears increasingly likely that the angling community will have to look for fairness in the court system. Which brings us to the next bit of news.

Coastside Threatens Legal Action Against Biased Private Funding of MLPA
The Coastside Fishing Club, a large and influential organization in Central and Northern California, sent a letter to the state on August 18 that challenges the MLPA funding mechanism. A large portion of the funds come from a private source, the Resources Legacy Trust Fund Foundation, a special interest organization generally believed to favor widespread closures. Since this arrangement was announced, plenty of people have wondered if the RLTFF is buying undue influence over the rollout of the MLPA. In their August 18 letter, an attorney for Coastside informs the state that the club will file suit to challenge special interest funding of the MLPA if the arrangement is not terminated within ten days. The KFASC will update this important development as more information becomes available.

News “Black Hole” Surrounds Local Working Group
Finally, the Central Coast Local Working Group, a committee of disparate stakeholders, continues to work toward development of an MPA network for state waters from Pigeon Point to Point Conception. Very little information on the progress of the work has been available in the mainstream or even fishing press – which seems to be a deliberate development.

A source familiar with the meetings recently reported to the KFASC that the process is fatally rushed. With the December 2005 deadline to produce a “preferred alternative” network of MPAs rapidly approaching, the Working Group, which is heavily dominated by interests in favor of widespread fishing closures, hasn’t moved beyond arguing about goals and standards for the MPAs. Which means the group will have almost no time at all to get into the nitty-gritty of drafting lines on the map. This situation is likely to favor big-money groups which want big reserves.

Stand by friends. The time to mobilize the fishing community is almost at hand.

PL

The MLPA and KFASC in Paddler Magazine

The uncertainty over the MLPA recently caught the attention of the national magazine Paddler (www.paddlermagazine.com), which reported on the looming threat of widespread California fishing closures in their August 2005 issue. Paddler interviewed KFASC Director Paul Lebowitz for the story. The KFASC appreciates the national exposure to our plight.

Welcome New Members!

The KFASC extends a warm welcome to our new members. Thanks for your support and offers to help. Our greatest need continues to be representatives to attend or monitor electronically the Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group meetings. We always need people who can alert us to issues in their local communities, and then lead a focused response. In the future we may ask for your support in letter writing campaigns or other political outreach efforts. Contact KFASC leadership at any time by writing to news@kayakfishingassociationsocal.org.


Your Help Wanted

The KFASC is on the lookout for recruits to join our all volunteer staff. We have positions for county coordinators, liaisons with fisheries groups, graphic artists, non-profit and incorporation attorneys, and for other jobs we haven’t thought of yet. If you'd like to help, please write news@kayakfishingassociationsocal.org for more information.


Who are the KFASC?

You! Our rank and file members are the heart of the organization. We need your backing to act more effectively. Please help us recruit more members by spreading the word amongst your fishing buddies and friends. As always, anyone who wants to do more is welcome to contact us at news@kayakfishingassociationsocal.org. We could use the help.

The KFASC staff is:

Paul Lebowitz, Director
Keith Martin, Webmaster

Please see our website for a member listing for the KFASC Advisory Board.

If you have ideas on how we could do better, tell us! We’re doing what we can with limited resources, and learning as we go.

This posting is an excerpt from the KFASC Email Newsletter, available by free subscription. Any changes from the original were made by KFASC staff.