Coast Keeper is bus-ing in People!!!

[Holy Mackerel]

The Anti-Fishing group, Coast Keeper is going to bus in people to the last MLPA meeting... see below!

This is it… The south coast Marine Life Protection Act process is nearly complete, but we need your help to ensure the ocean protection plan adopted by California really works for our region.

Local stakeholders worked for over a year to map out a network of marine protected areas that will keep special places like Naples Reef, Point Dume, and La Jolla healthy for future generations. There are three plans on the table now, and the conservation plan will give us the most bang for the buck! Lots of familiar (and famous) faces are here to tell you why MPAs work in this PSA. Check it out!

UPDATES & NEWS

The South Coast Science Advisory Team met in LA last week to present their evaluations on the Round 3 final proposals. Annnddd… (drum roll please) … the Conservation Proposal (map 3) took the cake! Furthermore, according to the scientific analysis, the Fishermen’s Proposal (map 2) provides the least conservation value. The three maps protect similar amounts of coastal waters in MPAs (about 17% in MPAs, 12% in reserves) - but the primary difference is in the quality of habitat captured.

Let’s not forget… its T-minus nine days to the BIG KAHUNA South Coast BRTF meeting in Long Beach. Check the agenda here. We need you more than ever to be there to show your support for a strong conservation-based proposal!! Public comment is from 1:30 -4:00p and 7:00 -10:00p on October 21st. Contact Jason for bus and carpool information and to RSVP. A “what to expect” meeting guide is attached, and if you plan to go and would like San Diego specific talking points, please let me know and I will send that document to you.

Can’t make it (or even if you can)? Click here to tell the BRTF what you think in 30 seconds—it’s a quick, easy way to show your support and it really makes a difference! And an ENORMOUS thanks to those of you- individuals and groups- who have already written in your support for the conservation map!!

BUS & CARPOOL to the BRTF MEETING
The LAST meeting of the MLPA’s Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) is next Wednesday, October 21st. Please Join us in attending this *critical* meeting that will decide the most influential marine conservation legislation of our lifetimes.

We will be providing free transportation with busses leaving from various points in San Diego (see schedule below) around 9:00 a.m. returning around 7:00 in the evening. There will be free food, film, t-shirts, fun, and friends on the bus and most importantly a chance to speak in support of local MPAs and the “conservation proposal” (map #3) at the meeting.

Please RSVP to Currie (currie@sdcoastkeeper.org or 413-824-1723) by this Sunday (10/18) to join the bus. Don’t forget to include your cell phone number for a day-before reminder call and exact departure time update. Also please indicate in your note if you are a vegetarian.

BRTF BUS PICK UP LOCATIONS
(also if you need a carpool to one of these locations we can likely help- just let us know)

* Southern San Diego pick up: The Marina at W J St & Bay Blvd., Chula Vista, CA 91910. Directions
* Central San Diego pick up: San Diego Coastkeeper Offices, 2825 Dewey Road, San Diego CA 92106 Directions
* North-Central San Diego pick up: La Jolla Shores/ Kellogg Park Parking Lot, at the intersection of Calle Frescota & Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037 Directions

After this meeting, the BRTF will forward one of the three proposed networks of marine protected areas to the Fish and Game Commission for adoption into Law. Public comment given at this meeting will influence which proposal is advanced. Consumptive users are showing up to this meeting by the hundreds to advocate for the “fishing proposal” which in the San Diego region focuses its protection on much lower quality habitats. We need people willing to show their support for the “conservation proposal” (map #3) that protects high quality habitats in San Diego including areas of La Jolla and North County reef complexes.

Looking forward to seeing you on the 21st!

-Meagan & Currie

Meagan Wylie
Marine Conservation Coordinator
San Diego Coastkeeper
p: 619-758-7743 x. 114 |f: 619-224-4638