The state Legislature's Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture will meet on Friday in Eureka to hear concerns regarding an upcoming decision by state regulators on marine reserves along the North Coast.
The committee was just put together this week and is being chaired by Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro. The Arcata Democrat wanted the community to have a chance to voice their opinions about the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative and a proposal generated by local stakeholders. The California Fish and Game Commission is scheduled to hear the matter on Feb. 2.
”It's critical that we hold a local hearing in advance so that North Coast residents who can't travel to Sacramento have a voice,” Chesbro said.
At the joint committee hearing, MLPA staff will give an overview of the process, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District's Adam Wagschal will summarize the North Coast unified proposal and tribes, members of a Blue Ribbon Task Force and other regional constituents will give presentations. Public comment will be taken toward the end of the hearing.
The MLPA has been highly controversial along the California coast, and the Fish and Game Commission has previously had to weigh several different proposals in each region. The North Coast was the first region to produce a single proposal supported by all stakeholders, including fishing representatives, seaweed gatherers and environmentalists.
The Fish and Game Commission could adopt the proposal or modify it at the Sacramento meeting. But Chesbro's office said the hearing before the joint committee is meant to show the strong support for the unified proposal. Chesbro intends to testify at the Fish and Game Commission meeting. The hearing begins at 10 a.m. at the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors chambers.
_________________________
If you go:
What: Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture meeting
When: Friday
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Supervisors Chamber, first floor, Humboldt County Courthouse, 825 Fifth St.
___________________________
Marine Life Protection Act 
