Partnership for Sustainable Oceans to Continue Hands-on Involvement in Shaping Outcomes in Each Region

CA Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman Announces Order for Implementing MLPA Study Regions

Sacramento, CA (12/11/07)—The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) supports Secretary Chrisman's announcement of the implementation order of the three remaining MLPA study regions to be completed in 2011.

"The Partnership has been actively and constructively involved with the evaluation and implementation in the MLPA North Central Coast Study Region. We intend to continue that level of involvement in every region to protect California's ocean health while preventing unnecessary closures to recreational fishing and boating," said PSO member representative Patty Doerr, who serves as the Ocean Resource Policy Director for the American Sportfishing Association. "Implementation of the MLPA is a participatory process and it is important that anglers in southern California are aware of how the MLPA process works, participate in it at every opportunity and support those in the PSO who are working on their behalf."

According to the California Department of Fish and Game (DGF), data collection will begin in the MLPA South Coast Study Region, (Point Conception south to the border with Mexico), in early 2008, followed by the MLPA North Coast Study Region (Alder Creek north to the border with Oregon), and then the MLPA San Francisco Bay Study Region (from the Golden Gate Bridge northeast to the Carquinez Bridge). A specific timetable for the remaining regions has yet to be established.

The Partnership will participate in the process of recommending to and advising the Secretary as he seeks to identify and appoint Blue Ribbon Task Force members for the South Coast Study Region in early 2008.  The task force and DFG will appoint another regional stakeholder group and science advisory team to play a role in the development of MPA roles for the region.

PSO members include the American Sportfishing Association, Coastside Fishing Club, Southern California Marine Association, Sportfishing Association of California, United Anglers of Southern California, National Marine Manufacturers Association and Northern CA Kayak Anglers.

For frequent updates about the Partnership's advocacy on behalf of recreational fishermen within the MLPA process, and the process itself, visit www.keepamericafishing.org/.

Contacts
Daniel Kramer or Susan Bitar, coalition spokespersons, can be reached via phone (916-932-7370), fax (916-932-7371) and email
dan@kpastrategies.com and susan@kpastrategies.com.