KFACA Oct 2006 Newsletter - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

PAL · 10-11-2006, 12:25 PM

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

October 2006 Newsletter

MLPA Update – Fishing Closures Approved for Central California / Mixed Bag for Kayak Anglers, Sharp Pains for Private Boaters / Shake that Bag o’ Bones to Predict Who’s Next. Looks Like it Will be Back to CenCal

CenCal Closures Approved by the Fish and Game Commission

If you live in the Central California Study Area, permanent fishing closures are on the horizon.

On August 15, the California Fish and Game Commission voted to select a preferred network of marine protected areas. The Commission’s proposal encompasses 204 square miles of state waters in 29 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), a full 18 percent of the study area. About 8 percent of study area waters will be closed to fishing of all kinds.

Although at first glance the total closure area appears small, by some estimates it amounts to over 60 percent of the region’s hard bottom fishing zones.

All that remains before the closures take effect is a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. Some see this last public process as a mere formality; other more optimistic sources within the fishing community believe there’s still hope for a better deal.

The Central California Study Region extends from Pigeon Pt. to Pt. Conception. Marine reserves (closures) are proposed for Ano Nuevo, Lover’s Pt, Asilomar, Carmel Pinnacles, Pt. Lobos, Pt. Sur, Big Creek, Piedras Blancas, Morro Bay, Pt. Buchon, and Vandenberg.

Maps of the proposed closures are available on the California Department of Fish and Game’s Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative website:

North Central Coast Study Region: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/pdfs/...on081506nc.pdf

South Central Coast Study Region
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/pdfs/...on081506sc.pdf

Most Kayak Fishing Sites Saved, but Favorites Carmel Pinnacles and Cambria Marine Terraces on Chopping Block

The kayak fishing set took some hits but managed to retain most of the area’s major launch sites. Northern Carmel Bay was squarely in the cross-hairs; most of the bay will remain open due in large part to Monterey area kayaker Pat Grant of NorCal Kayak Anglers (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/). However, in an apparent concession to SCUBA tour operators, the Carmel Pinnacles are slated for a fishing closure. Grant continues to work for a boundary adjustment. For details, see http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb...?topic=5553.0.

Cambria area kayakers were not as fortunate. The Cambria reserve will block off access to the Marine Terraces area, a traditional paddle fishing and free diving area unpopular with private boaters.

Monterey County kayakers will lose access to the shoreline east of Lover’s Pt, but will retain the area directly west of the reserve. The nearby Asilomar coastline will also be closed to all fishing. In upper Big Sur, rarely fished Pt. Sur is on the closure list.

Private Boaters and Commercial Interests Take a Body Blow

The private boat and commercial fishing communities were rocked by the closures approved for Ano Nuevo, Pt. Sur, and Pt. Buchon, all major hard-bottom areas. The Pt. Buchon reserve will be especially damaging for Morro Bay boaters and Virg’s Sportfishing. Although disappointed, the wider fishing community is still backing MLPA Central Coast Study Region package 1 (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/pdfs/...maps031506.pdf) and fighting those closures they feel over-reach.

The Coastside Fishing Club (http://www.coastsidefishingclub.com/) continues its legal challenge to the MLPA’s private funding. The Resources Legacy Trust Fund Foundation, an environmentalist trust widely believed to favor widespread fishing closures, provided most of the money for the recently completed Central Coast project.

Other fishing-oriented organizations deeply involved in opposing the proposed Central California closures are the California Fisheries Coalition (http://www.cafisheriescoalition.org/) and the Northern California chapter of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (http://www.joinrfa.org/).

Where Next? Swami Sez It Looks Like CenCal Will Get the Biz

Now that the Central Coast Study Region process is complete, the action will turn to another region. Will it be north or south? According to the MLPA Master Plan Framework, SoCal is next in line. However, that arcane document was not adopted by the Fish and Game Commission.

That body, during its October 5 meeting in San Diego, seemed to lean towards moving on to the other half of Central California. According to Jim Martin of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the area in question is Pigeon Pt. to Pt. Arena.

Commissioner Gustafson called for a special session to take testimony in the north-central region, after which the Commission will vote on the MLPA’s next target. Best guess on timing? Look for a decision by the end of this year, as the process continues to rush onward.

Upcoming Meetings

California Fish and Game Commission (http://www.fgc.ca.gov/)

November 2-3, 2006
City Council Chambers
777 Cypress Avenue
Redding

December 7-8, 2006
Santa Monica Main Public Library
Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica

MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/meetings.html#brtf)

Monday, November 20, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Location: Sacramento

Your Help Wanted

The KFACA needs your help to attend or otherwise monitor upcoming meetings of the Blue Ribbon Task Force and California Fish and Game Commission. Meetings are held during business hours in Central California. If you'd like to help, please write news@kfaca.org for more information.

Who are the KFACA?

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@kfaca.org. We could use the help.

The KFACA staff is:

Paul Lebowitz, Director
Keith Martin, Webmaster

The KFACA Advisory Board is drawn from prominent members of the California kayak fishing community. Additional information is available at our website.

10-11-2006, 12:25 PM	#1
PAL Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 754	KFACA Oct 2006 Newsletter Kayak Fishing Association of Southern California Dedicated to preserve and expand kayak fishing opportunities www.kfaca.org October 2006 Newsletter MLPA Update – Fishing Closures Approved for Central California / Mixed Bag for Kayak Anglers, Sharp Pains for Private Boaters / Shake that Bag o’ Bones to Predict Who’s Next. Looks Like it Will be Back to CenCal CenCal Closures Approved by the Fish and Game Commission If you live in the Central California Study Area, permanent fishing closures are on the horizon. On August 15, the California Fish and Game Commission voted to select a preferred network of marine protected areas. The Commission’s proposal encompasses 204 square miles of state waters in 29 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), a full 18 percent of the study area. About 8 percent of study area waters will be closed to fishing of all kinds. Although at first glance the total closure area appears small, by some estimates it amounts to over 60 percent of the region’s hard bottom fishing zones. All that remains before the closures take effect is a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. Some see this last public process as a mere formality; other more optimistic sources within the fishing community believe there’s still hope for a better deal. The Central California Study Region extends from Pigeon Pt. to Pt. Conception. Marine reserves (closures) are proposed for Ano Nuevo, Lover’s Pt, Asilomar, Carmel Pinnacles, Pt. Lobos, Pt. Sur, Big Creek, Piedras Blancas, Morro Bay, Pt. Buchon, and Vandenberg. Maps of the proposed closures are available on the California Department of Fish and Game’s Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative website: North Central Coast Study Region: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/pdfs/...on081506nc.pdf South Central Coast Study Region http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/pdfs/...on081506sc.pdf Most Kayak Fishing Sites Saved, but Favorites Carmel Pinnacles and Cambria Marine Terraces on Chopping Block The kayak fishing set took some hits but managed to retain most of the area’s major launch sites. Northern Carmel Bay was squarely in the cross-hairs; most of the bay will remain open due in large part to Monterey area kayaker Pat Grant of NorCal Kayak Anglers (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/). However, in an apparent concession to SCUBA tour operators, the Carmel Pinnacles are slated for a fishing closure. Grant continues to work for a boundary adjustment. For details, see http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb...?topic=5553.0. Cambria area kayakers were not as fortunate. The Cambria reserve will block off access to the Marine Terraces area, a traditional paddle fishing and free diving area unpopular with private boaters. Monterey County kayakers will lose access to the shoreline east of Lover’s Pt, but will retain the area directly west of the reserve. The nearby Asilomar coastline will also be closed to all fishing. In upper Big Sur, rarely fished Pt. Sur is on the closure list. Private Boaters and Commercial Interests Take a Body Blow The private boat and commercial fishing communities were rocked by the closures approved for Ano Nuevo, Pt. Sur, and Pt. Buchon, all major hard-bottom areas. The Pt. Buchon reserve will be especially damaging for Morro Bay boaters and Virg’s Sportfishing. Although disappointed, the wider fishing community is still backing MLPA Central Coast Study Region package 1 (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/pdfs/...maps031506.pdf) and fighting those closures they feel over-reach. The Coastside Fishing Club (http://www.coastsidefishingclub.com/) continues its legal challenge to the MLPA’s private funding. The Resources Legacy Trust Fund Foundation, an environmentalist trust widely believed to favor widespread fishing closures, provided most of the money for the recently completed Central Coast project. Other fishing-oriented organizations deeply involved in opposing the proposed Central California closures are the California Fisheries Coalition (http://www.cafisheriescoalition.org/) and the Northern California chapter of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (http://www.joinrfa.org/). Where Next? Swami Sez It Looks Like CenCal Will Get the Biz Now that the Central Coast Study Region process is complete, the action will turn to another region. Will it be north or south? According to the MLPA Master Plan Framework, SoCal is next in line. However, that arcane document was not adopted by the Fish and Game Commission. That body, during its October 5 meeting in San Diego, seemed to lean towards moving on to the other half of Central California. According to Jim Martin of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the area in question is Pigeon Pt. to Pt. Arena. Commissioner Gustafson called for a special session to take testimony in the north-central region, after which the Commission will vote on the MLPA’s next target. Best guess on timing? Look for a decision by the end of this year, as the process continues to rush onward. Upcoming Meetings California Fish and Game Commission (http://www.fgc.ca.gov/) November 2-3, 2006 City Council Chambers 777 Cypress Avenue Redding December 7-8, 2006 Santa Monica Main Public Library Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/meetings.html#brtf) Monday, November 20, 2006 Tuesday, November 21, 2006 Location: Sacramento Your Help Wanted The KFACA needs your help to attend or otherwise monitor upcoming meetings of the Blue Ribbon Task Force and California Fish and Game Commission. Meetings are held during business hours in Central California. If you'd like to help, please write news@kfaca.org for more information. Who are the KFACA? 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@kfaca.org. We could use the help. The KFACA staff is: Paul Lebowitz, Director Keith Martin, Webmaster The KFACA Advisory Board is drawn from prominent members of the California kayak fishing community. Additional information is available at our website.