Panel adopts fishing closure plan that draws ire of Southern California anglers

News item: After months of tireless work by various stakeholder groups in a Marine Life Protection Act process that included periods of review and often heated public input and debate, a plan to establish a network of no-take marine reserves off Southern California has been chosen. A state-appointed panel on Tuesday picked the "preferred alternative," which essentially is a compromise between proposals put forth by conservationists and fishing interests.

Reaction: The panel was not going to please both sides and, as expected, it voted on a plan that angered fishing interests the most. They wanted a less severe network of reserves. Steve Fukuto, president of the United Anglers of Southern California, predicts the closures in such areas as portions of Santa Catalina Island, La Jolla, Swami's Reef and Malibu "will have a devastating effect on California's economy and the public's right to access the state's coastal waters."

Conservation groups are satisfied to a degree but wanted more extensive closures. Notably, they wanted Rocky Point off the Palos Verdes Peninsula to become a no-take marine reserve. An Ocean Conservancy spokesman called Tuesday's decision "a step in the right direction," but added, "There is still room for improvement,"clearly in reference to Rocky Point, which will remain open to fishing.

The Natural Resources Defense Council issued a statement saying the "decision at Palos Verdes is a missed opportunity," but hailed the protection of Naples Reef, Point Dume and La Jolla. Heal the Bay said the Palos Verdes concession "compromised the science," but "we remain cautiously hopeful that the preferred alternative is effective in restoring marine life populations and habitat throughout Southern California."

Rocky Point is a productive area and receives significant fishing pressure, but closing it to fishing would have dealt an economic blow to Redondo Sportfishing and other landings, and might have caused private fishing boat owners to pull their vessels from King Harbor.

The plan still must be approved by the California Fish and Game Commission, which will convene on the issue next month.

-- Pete Thomas    

Photo: Pro-fishing audience members display signs showing their preferences during a meeting of the state blue-ribbon panel. With few exceptions, things did not go their way. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Note: To follow this blog on Twitter please visit @latimesoutposts

Comments

[R]

Very sad that management by species and size of the fish cannot be implemented to a higher degree before complete closures of areas.

[Martin]

So what is the stumbling block for not practicing catch & release for sportfisherman (and women)? Who s going to fill their freezer with calico bass from rocky point? Why? Can we not do the catch without the kill? I've fished for years from virtually all of the sportfishing landings in Newport and Los Angeles.