We're foooooked! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Kiyo · 01-22-2009, 12:17 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Daniel Kramer (916) 941-6102 – dan@kpastrategies.com

Susan Bitar (916) 941-6102 – susan@kpastrategies.com

Schwarzenegger Freezes Funding for MLPA-Related Activities

Due to State Budget Crisis

Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) Urges Governor to

Closely Examine Potential Impacts on Recreational Fishing

SACRAMENTO, CA, January 22, 2009 – Governor Schwarzenegger’s December 19, 2008 Executive Order (S-16-0

, designed to help prevent a state budget shortfall, suspended indefinitely funding for essential Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) oversight initiatives. The budget cuts have created concern among stakeholders that, with a loss of funding, critical scientific and enforcement safeguards in newly created marine protected areas (MPAs) may unnecessarily restrict recreational angling or prohibit it entirely.

Proposed cutbacks related to the MLPA implementation total more than $6,756,000. This does not include work stoppages or potential furloughs or cutbacks within the Department of Fish and Game itself. In response, the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) recently sent a letter to the governor urging him to consider the impact of such funding restrictions on the effectiveness of the implementation process and the impacts on anglers, boaters and local economies.

The California Department of Finance has released a 161-page, 5,300-item
list of public works projects that will be suspended or delayed indefinitely because of the state's cash crunch which can be found on the following Website:
http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/pmia-laif/pmib-staff/20090116_projects.pdf

“The MLPA is supposed to be a science-based initiative, and with the current budget crisis in California, that will no longer be the case,” said Gordon Robertson , vice president of the American Sportfishing Association and a member of the PSO, a coalition of angling and boating groups. “Without funding, the MPA review process will lack basic enforcement safeguards. In addition, without a scientific basis and required scientific baseline and monitoring data, there cannot be a proper five-year review and a chance for adaptive management, which is clearly prescribed in the statute.”

In order for the MLPA process to work, MPA management requires a scientific baseline, along with continued monitoring and enforcement. Absent such enforcement and scientific monitoring, future scientists will not have the data to analyze the success or failure of a marine protected area, significantly curtailing its utility.

“ California cannot pick and choose which part of the statute to implement,” Robertson continued. “Without scientific monitoring and adequate enforcement, vast areas of the California coast will be closed to public access and public resources. In the end, such piecemeal implementation only costs California more jobs and more economic woes, with coastal communities taking the brunt of the economic hit.”

The PSO has requested a meeting with Governor Schwarzenegger to develop a strategy to ensure the future health of the marine environment without unnecessary restrictions on recreational anglers and boaters. To download a copy of the PSO letter to the governor, go to http://www.keepamericafishing.org/california.asp.

PSO members include the American Sportfishing Association, Berkley Conservation Institute, Coastside Fishing Club, International Game Fish Association, Kayak Fishing Association of California, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Nor-Cal Kayak Anglers, Shimano Sport Fisheries Initiative, Southern California Marine Association and the Sportfishing Association of California.

###
_________________
Kiyo

j mo · 01-22-2009, 12:22 PM

Sweet- Just as I got into yaking, spent a ton of coin on gear with not much to show....

T-Rex · 01-22-2009, 05:51 PM

We can only hope that the entire freakin MLPA implementation process will be suspended also. It's time to get militant if the State goes forward with closures without reasonable oversight and stakeholder input.

Billy V · 01-22-2009, 07:42 PM

If the Governor was smart he would suspend the MLPA process entirely until there was proper funding to complete it as the statute requires.

The injunctions and law suits would cost California much more time and money than the MLPA budget.

1Flatfish · 01-22-2009, 09:48 PM

What does this mean in english?

T-Rex · 01-22-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Flatfish

What does this mean in english?

We're foooooked!

dsafety · 01-22-2009, 11:27 PM

I am far from an expert on this subject but it appears to me that the Governor, (whom I support on many issues), is trying to play hardball with the legislature in order to get them to get off their butts and do something useful. For far too long, many of the decisions that affect all of us have been made in back rooms by politicians who have two primary priorities. First, to get elected, or re-elected. Second, to reward the special interests that help them get elected or re-elected.>>
>>
Since neither of these priorities requires them to give a rat’s ass about the wishes of the general public, we usually end up getting screwed. My guess is that the vast majority of our elected officials have little more than a passing awareness of the MLPA process because none of their fat cat supporters have vested interests.>>
>>
Without a high profile champion to fight for the best and most reasonable solution, the issue will probably end up being settled by an obscure bureaucrat who may never have set foot in the ocean. >>
>>
We are all hopeful that the new kid in Washington will reform the way our Government works so that it actually represents the People for a change. Even if he is successful, it will take a very long time for this new attitude to filter down to the State level and even longer for the petty bureaucrats to be replaced by knowledgeable people who really care about the rest of us.>>
>>
Someone earlier in this thread suggested that the time may come for those of us who will be affected by the decisions made on this issue to become "militant". Normally I am a peaceful person but I can easily imagine myself supporting and probably participating in a rebellion against any decision that takes away my access to the local fishing grounds. >>
>>
My two cents for the day.

Bob

joyjiggin' · 01-22-2009, 11:44 PM

"Rebellion?????" Count me in!!

Billy V · 01-23-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy V

If the Governor was smart he would suspend the MLPA process entirely until there was proper funding to complete it as the statute requires.

The injunctions and law suits would cost California much more time and money than the MLPA budget.

Or finish it up without depriving us of our fishing grounds, and launch sites.
That would seem the best option to me.

Geoffkoop · 01-23-2009, 10:40 AM

I ride motocross --> deserts are getting closed
I hunt--> hunting areas are getting closed
I fish--> now the ocean is getting closed

Doesnt sound like feedom to me?
I love California but why does it have to be so freaking left!

Billy V · 01-23-2009, 12:43 PM

The Fun Police are going to shut down the world starting with Kalifornia.

NO Fishing , smoking, drinking, fire pits, No Guns, ammo, diesel trucks, gas vehicles. No Classic Cars.
Definitely NO Motorcycles, dirt bikes, No Hunting, farting, swearing, No Football.

No Surfing, No Talking, No Skateboards, No Sex (or big time restrictions on it).

No Trespassing, No Hamburgers, Steak, or Animal of any kind for Food.

The tight side of Palomar.

Move out of my way. You've just been Passed by a Dirt Bike.

Rant Off.

bajadog · 01-23-2009, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Rex

We can only hope that the entire freakin MLPA implementation process will be suspended also. It's time to get militant if the State goes forward with closures without reasonable oversight and stakeholder input.

With our state, and federal lawmakers all on the left of center now,
I doubt the implementation part of the budget gets axed.

01-22-2009, 12:17 PM	#1
Kiyo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Anaheim Posts: 122	We're foooooked! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Daniel Kramer (916) 941-6102 – dan@kpastrategies.com Susan Bitar (916) 941-6102 – susan@kpastrategies.com Schwarzenegger Freezes Funding for MLPA-Related Activities Due to State Budget Crisis Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) Urges Governor to Closely Examine Potential Impacts on Recreational Fishing SACRAMENTO, CA, January 22, 2009 – Governor Schwarzenegger’s December 19, 2008 Executive Order (S-16-0, designed to help prevent a state budget shortfall, suspended indefinitely funding for essential Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) oversight initiatives. The budget cuts have created concern among stakeholders that, with a loss of funding, critical scientific and enforcement safeguards in newly created marine protected areas (MPAs) may unnecessarily restrict recreational angling or prohibit it entirely. Proposed cutbacks related to the MLPA implementation total more than $6,756,000. This does not include work stoppages or potential furloughs or cutbacks within the Department of Fish and Game itself. In response, the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) recently sent a letter to the governor urging him to consider the impact of such funding restrictions on the effectiveness of the implementation process and the impacts on anglers, boaters and local economies. The California Department of Finance has released a 161-page, 5,300-item list of public works projects that will be suspended or delayed indefinitely because of the state's cash crunch which can be found on the following Website: http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/pmia-laif/pmib-staff/20090116_projects.pdf “The MLPA is supposed to be a science-based initiative, and with the current budget crisis in California, that will no longer be the case,” said Gordon Robertson , vice president of the American Sportfishing Association and a member of the PSO, a coalition of angling and boating groups. “Without funding, the MPA review process will lack basic enforcement safeguards. In addition, without a scientific basis and required scientific baseline and monitoring data, there cannot be a proper five-year review and a chance for adaptive management, which is clearly prescribed in the statute.” In order for the MLPA process to work, MPA management requires a scientific baseline, along with continued monitoring and enforcement. Absent such enforcement and scientific monitoring, future scientists will not have the data to analyze the success or failure of a marine protected area, significantly curtailing its utility. “ California cannot pick and choose which part of the statute to implement,” Robertson continued. “Without scientific monitoring and adequate enforcement, vast areas of the California coast will be closed to public access and public resources. In the end, such piecemeal implementation only costs California more jobs and more economic woes, with coastal communities taking the brunt of the economic hit.” The PSO has requested a meeting with Governor Schwarzenegger to develop a strategy to ensure the future health of the marine environment without unnecessary restrictions on recreational anglers and boaters. To download a copy of the PSO letter to the governor, go to http://www.keepamericafishing.org/california.asp. PSO members include the American Sportfishing Association, Berkley Conservation Institute, Coastside Fishing Club, International Game Fish Association, Kayak Fishing Association of California, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Nor-Cal Kayak Anglers, Shimano Sport Fisheries Initiative, Southern California Marine Association and the Sportfishing Association of California. ### _________________ Kiyo __________________

01-22-2009, 12:22 PM	#2
j mo Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Encinitas Posts: 600	Sweet- Just as I got into yaking, spent a ton of coin on gear with not much to show....

01-22-2009, 05:51 PM	#3
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	We can only hope that the entire freakin MLPA implementation process will be suspended also. It's time to get militant if the State goes forward with closures without reasonable oversight and stakeholder input.

01-22-2009, 07:42 PM	#4
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	If the Governor was smart he would suspend the MLPA process entirely until there was proper funding to complete it as the statute requires. The injunctions and law suits would cost California much more time and money than the MLPA budget.

01-22-2009, 09:48 PM	#5
1Flatfish Wayne Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 98	What does this mean in english?

01-22-2009, 11:27 PM	#7
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	I am far from an expert on this subject but it appears to me that the Governor, (whom I support on many issues), is trying to play hardball with the legislature in order to get them to get off their butts and do something useful. For far too long, many of the decisions that affect all of us have been made in back rooms by politicians who have two primary priorities. First, to get elected, or re-elected. Second, to reward the special interests that help them get elected or re-elected.>> >> Since neither of these priorities requires them to give a rat’s ass about the wishes of the general public, we usually end up getting screwed. My guess is that the vast majority of our elected officials have little more than a passing awareness of the MLPA process because none of their fat cat supporters have vested interests.>> >> Without a high profile champion to fight for the best and most reasonable solution, the issue will probably end up being settled by an obscure bureaucrat who may never have set foot in the ocean. >> >> We are all hopeful that the new kid in Washington will reform the way our Government works so that it actually represents the People for a change. Even if he is successful, it will take a very long time for this new attitude to filter down to the State level and even longer for the petty bureaucrats to be replaced by knowledgeable people who really care about the rest of us.>> >> Someone earlier in this thread suggested that the time may come for those of us who will be affected by the decisions made on this issue to become "militant". Normally I am a peaceful person but I can easily imagine myself supporting and probably participating in a rebellion against any decision that takes away my access to the local fishing grounds. >> >> My two cents for the day. Bob

01-22-2009, 11:44 PM	#8
joyjiggin' Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huntington Beach Posts: 109	"Rebellion?????" Count me in!!

01-23-2009, 10:40 AM	#10
Geoffkoop Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: So. Orange County Posts: 302	I ride motocross --> deserts are getting closed I hunt--> hunting areas are getting closed I fish--> now the ocean is getting closed Doesnt sound like feedom to me? I love California but why does it have to be so freaking left!

01-23-2009, 12:43 PM	#11
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	The Fun Police are going to shut down the world starting with Kalifornia. NO Fishing , smoking, drinking, fire pits, No Guns, ammo, diesel trucks, gas vehicles. No Classic Cars. Definitely NO Motorcycles, dirt bikes, No Hunting, farting, swearing, No Football. No Surfing, No Talking, No Skateboards, No Sex (or big time restrictions on it). No Trespassing, No Hamburgers, Steak, or Animal of any kind for Food. The tight side of Palomar. Move out of my way. You've just been Passed by a Dirt Bike. Rant Off.