Lobster FMP

[jimbo]

never said DFG nor their officers were bad. i was giving them compliment that they enforce lobster limits vigorously. i think they are middlemen/pawn (at least was my take in mlpa). i don't think they drove mlpa or will be driving force in this process. if i'm wrong, i sincerely want to know - like i said, what is the rationale? i'm skeptical of the necessity of this process.

also never said that there wasn't poaching of lobsters or other species. but that seems like a totally different discussion that doesn't need to be done in public forums with input from all. it's pretty clear - don't do it. i don't think we need a public forum for that, do we? enforcement strategies already amped up this year with cards. i'm all for them doing what they need to do to enforce and i'm always glad to let them go thru my yak/boat/car gear etc.

[lowprofile]

i don't mind larger size limits (to an extent) or smaller bag limits. but if this turns into closing more of our grounds, even though im not an avid lobster fisher/trapper), I'm all for a trip to Oxnard or wherever the meetings will be held when the time comes.

[Saba Slayer]

Guys...Please Read this CAREFULLY...
There are a lot of you jumping to ridiculous conclusions about this FMP process and assuming that it is all doom and gloom.
This is from DFG...
Background: The Marine Life Management Act (MLMA) requires the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to develop comprehensive Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) that ensure effective management, sustainability and long-X‐term economic viability of the state’s fisheries resources. FMPs will be based on the best available scientific and relevant information and undergo peer review and public review before consideration by the Fish and Game Commission. Moreover, FMPs will integrate—through a participatory process—the interests of all affected stakeholders and strive to minimize negative impacts on the natural habitat of the species as well as resource dependent communities and interest groups. To accomplish this, DFG is working with the California Wildlife Foundation, with grant money provided by the Ocean Protection Council, to produce an efficient and cost effective process for development of a FMP for the California spiny lobster. Project success may create a replicable model for other state fisheries.

So all our fishery resources will go through this FMP process eventually...or at least till the state and its partners run out of money...they seem to be starting with lobsters since the recent stock assessment went so well.
IT IS SIMPLY A FUTURE PLAN FOR PROTECTING THE RESOURCE...not a plan to take away our rights to fish!!!
If you have some creative input please email me (jim@sabaslayer.com) or DFG or come to one of the meeting and make sure your opinions are heard!
Jim / Saba Slayer

[Tman]

Originally Posted by Saba Slayer

Guys...Please Read this CAREFULLY...
There are a lot of you jumping to ridiculous conclusions about this FMP process and assuming that it is all doom and gloom...
IT IS SIMPLY A FUTURE PLAN FOR PROTECTING THE RESOURCE...not a plan to take away our rights to fish!!!

Until every vote is tallied (or as in the case of the MLPA, until they make their decision) and no rights are taken away, you can't fault anyone from being too skeptical at this point.

That was the premise of the MLPA and we all know too well how that turned out...you seriously can't expect people to trust the process after all the 'smoke and mirror' activity that occurred throughout the last process...