KFACA May 2006 MLPA Update

[PAL]

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

May 2006 Newsletter


Announcing the Kayak Fishing Association of California – the KFASC Goes Statewide

Threats to kayak fishing access aren’t limited to Southern California. To fight more effectively for our sport throughout the beautiful and bountiful state of California, the KFASC is proud to welcome NorCal Kayak Anglers webmaster Bill Pennington, Great White Kayak Company owner Sean White, and Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing guide Allen Bushnell to the team. These three all-around good guys bring a lot of talent and energy to the organization. Now truly statewide, we’ll go forward working together as the Kayak Fishing Association of California.

Our website has moved to www.kfaca.org. To contact the KFACA, address your emails to news@kfaca.org.



MLPA Update – CenCal Closures on the Horizon
Blue Ribbon Task Force Unilaterally Changes ‘Environmental’ Plans, Forwards Option Favoring Massive Closures as Preferred Alternative / Anglers Must Look to the CA F&G Commission for a Fair Shake

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

Earlier this year the Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) wrapped up its work on the stretch of Central California coastline extending from Pigeon Pt. to Pt. Conception by wrestling the process away from the representative stakeholder panel charged with reaching a compromise solution. As the stakeholder meetings reached their conclusion, the BRTF, apparently unsatisfied with the large concessions offered by the angling community, introduced its own option at the last minute. They then voted to send one of their Frankenstein’s monsters, a cobbled together mish-mash that would impose the largest closures of all, on to the California Fish and Game Commission as the Preferred Alternative.


The Three Options
PDF maps depicting the three MPA options are available at this link: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/centralcoast.html#maps

From a kayak angler’s perspective, Options 2 and 3 are bad news. Both plans would close much of the Monterey-Carmel area to kayak fishing, which would result in a focus of effort in small portions of Carmel Bay and off Pacific Grove. Option 2 would also close Spooner’s Cove in Montana de Oro State Park south of Morro Bay. Option 1, also known as the Anglers’ Proposal, would leave most of the Monterey-Carmel coastline, the largest sheltered kayak fishing spots in the study area, open with the exception of the Carmel Pinnacles and an area off Cannery Row.

If enacted, options 2 and 3 will impose unfairly heavy impacts to the kayak fishing and spear diving communities. The KFACA is in favor of Option 1.

What is the MLPA? The Marine Protection Act (MLPA) is a state law that mandates the creation of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along the California coast. The KFACA is committed to working within the process for MPAs which allow recreational fishing. Keep up to date on the MLPA process at the KFACA website or at the state's MLPA Initiative Website: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/index.html

Paul Lebowitz
Director, Kayak Fishing Association of California


Where Do We Go From Here?

The California Fish and Game Commission will eventually determine the scope of closures to come. The Commission will hold a joint meeting with the BRTF in Sacramento on May 25, 2006. The Commission is not expected to vote at that time. A final decision is likely to come late in 2006.


A Spot of Good News – Commissioner Kellogg Reappointed

California Fish and Game Commissioner Jim Kellogg was recently appointed to another 6-year term by Governor Schwarzenegger. The appointment must be confirmed by the State Senate, however, Kellogg can serve for a year pending confirmation. Kellogg’s reappointment was a victory. With Kellogg on the team, the Commission tilts slightly in favor of the hunting and fishing public.


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.