Presentation by

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Presentation by
Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Means Less
Public Access

• The Recreational Fishing Alliance

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The Recreational Fishing Alliance

• RFA members have contributed thousands of hours
  of volunteer time to the MLPA process.
• Worked to pass AB 1187 to increase jail time for
  the illegal commercialization of wildlife.
• Helped obtain 5K grant for night vision goggles
  for coastal wardens.
• Helped DFG improve new abalone tags.

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Anglers as Evildoers

• Overfishing
• Loss of Biodiversity
• Habitat Destruction
• Global Warming

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We have been told that the MLPA does not involve

• Fishery Management
• Human Impacts other than fishing
• Decisions based on limiting economic impacts to
  fisheries
• Improving water quality

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Problems with the MLPA process

• Private funding of a rulemaking process by the
  Packard Foundation through the RLFF
• Non-local, corporate environmental groups given a
  seat at the table
• Lack of integration of MPAs and fishery management

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The MLPA Requires Consideration of Socioeconomic
Data

• The BRTF failed to consider any socioeconomic
  data from the abalone fishery in the NCC region.

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Problems with the MLPA process

• Lack of quantitative science guidelines.
• Many opportunities for public comment, but no
  fishing representation on the Blue Ribbon Task
  Force.
• Decisions for the north coast will be made by
  people from SoCal and New York City.
• Decisionmakers who have conflicts of interest.

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Fish Game Commissioner Mike Sutton
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Suttons Conflicts
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California Fisheries Coalition

• We include 27 recreational and commercial fishing
  associations and businesses throughout
  California. We have participated in all aspects
  of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process
  from the beginning - spending thousands of hours
  to attend meetings, analyze options, map key
  fishing grounds, and develop a reasonable network
  of Marine Protected Areas.

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CFC Objectives

• Our objective is to see a full and balanced
  implementation of the MLPA. This Act seeks to
  protect diversity of marine life and "help
  sustain, conserve and protect" marine
  populations. It requires monitoring and adaptive
  management of MPAs. It is not intended to
  duplicate existing protections that have been in
  place on the ocean for many years.

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More Info

• For more information, please visit the CFC
  website
• www.cafisheriescoalition.org

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Fisheries Information Network

• The Fisheries Information Network (FIN) provides
  a way for fishermen and fishing organizations to
  learn about and participate in the Marine Life
  Protection Act (MLPA) process and to interact
  with fishing representatives on the Regional
  Stakeholder Group (RSG).

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CFC Fisheries Information Network ( FIN
Committee)

• We are working to expand participation of the
  fishing community in the MLPA process.
• Our goal is to ensure a science-based and
  equitable outcome in each phase and each region
  of the State.

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Get informed Stay informed

• with the FIN The Fisheries Information Network
  
• A partnership of the California Fisheries
  Coalition and Ecotrust
• The Fisheries Information Network (FIN) provides
  a way for fishermen and fishing organizations to
  learn about and participate in the Marine Life
  Protection Act (MLPA) process

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Fisheries Information Committee
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CFC Fisheries Information Network ( FIN
Committee)

• In Southern California the FIN Committee
  developed external MPA network alternative
  Package A that
• achieves science goals
• minimizes impacts to fisheries
• Check out our website www.cafisheriescoalition.or
  g

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Sustainable Fisheries for our Future
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Northern California has healthy marine resources
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The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA)

• The RFA is a national non-profit grassroots
  political action organization whose mission is to
  safeguard the rights of salt water anglers,
  protect marine, boat, and tackle industry jobs,
  and insure the long-term sustainability of our
  nations marine fisheries.

www.JoinRFA.org