MPA's will stop pollution?

[Ohana]

Everyone:

I was just sent this e-mail notice from the Defenders of Wildlife and it starts by implying the MPA's will address urban runoff polluting marine habitats:

Every day toxins and runoff drain into California waterways and kill wildlife, including whales, seabirds and rockfish. Our coasts and several fish stocks, including the rockfish, have declined significantly. Polluted runoff is threatening our wildlife, oceans and coastal marine ecosystems -- something has to be done about it!

Our oceans are in trouble, take action now to protect them.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can help replenish depleted fish populations and restore ocean habitats. MPAs are proven, effective tool for restoring ocean health around the world, and they will continue to help protect marine wildlife and the coasts that make California special.

The California Fish and Game Commission is currently considering a plan for a new system of Marine Protected Areas along the southern California coast to help imperiled species like the rockfish survive and thrive.

Tell California Fish and Game to protect California wildlife.

Vibrant ecosystems along our coasts are necessary for a healthy marine wildlife population. California Fish and Game is considering different plans in the current comment period, while there is only one plan that adequately protects marine wildlife and our coast.

Proposal 3, “The Conservation Plan,” is the only proposal that meets all of the goals of the Marine Life Protection Act, offers the highest level of protection at biodiversity hotspots like Naples Reef and La Jolla, and leaves 88% of fishing grounds open in the area.

By adopting proposal 3, coastal wildlife throughout southern California will be protected and the ocean can continue to be used by kayakers, surfers, beach-goers and fishermen alike.

Tell California Fish and Game to adopt Proposal 3 and uphold the Marine Life Protection Act now.

With your help, we can ensure that imperiled wildlife across California continue to be protected as strongly as possible under state laws. Act now.

For the wild ones,

Incredible! I do not know how closing off an area is going to address urban runoff and other pollution. I guess closing an area off will prevent people from seeing the damage the runoff does, so it appears the problem is solved. Out of sight, out of mind!

I also notice how they imply that you will still be able to fish in the MPA's under proposal 3:

By adopting proposal 3, coastal wildlife throughout southern California will be protected and the ocean can continue to be used by kayakers, surfers, beach-goers and fishermen alike.

I am going to their website and see if you can question their claims. I suspect not, but worth the try!


Kevin