Information on Upcoming MLPA Scoping Meeting

[Lets_Fish]

Got the following via email from Keep America Fishing! Information on Upcoming MLPA Scoping Meeting

Attend the meeting and make sure the interests of recreational anglers are heard! When: July 23, 2010 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Where: Port of Long Beach Administration Building - 6th Floor 925 Harbor Way, Long Beach, California Your time on the water is being threatened by the implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) which requires the formation of a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in California's coastal waters, including marine reserves which prohibit all consumptive activities. This includes recreational fishing! On July 23, 2010, California's Department of Fish and Game is holding a scoping meeting in Long Beach, Calif., to receive input from interested agencies and the public on issues related to the potential environmental effects of the MPA proposals being considered for the South Coast region. Please attend the public meeting on July 23, and help ensure that anglers have a strong presence! The public will have an opportunity to comment at the meeting. Let the department know how important recreational fishing is to you and your family, and that additional marine reserves do not always mean more - or better - conservation! If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, written comments may be e-mailed to MLPAComments@dfg.ca.gov. Visit www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/meetings_sc.asp#presentationsfor more information on the July 23 meeting. More Meetings Are Needed While the July 23 scoping meeting is a good start, more meetings are needed in the South Coast region. Multiple scoping meetings were held for both the Central and North Central Coasts, and given the complexity and heightened controversy surrounding the South Coast process, public scoping meetings throughout the region are essential to ensure that all the potential impacts of MPAs are heard. To send a letter to the California Fish and Game Commission urging them to hold a series of scoping meetings in the South Coast region, please click hereor visit http://capwiz.com/keepamericafishing/issues/alert/?alertid=15177801 Visit www.keepamericafishing.org/california.html for more information on the MLPA and the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans. Thank you for doing your part to Keep America Fishing!