Guest Opinion: Spreading the word about new ocean parks May 3, 2010

After three long years of work by fishermen, environmentalists, divers and docents, the newest of California’s underwater parks have finally made their big premiere. These 21 new marine protected areas from Half Moon Bay to Point Arena encompass about 153 square miles of new protections and represent a shift in the way we care for our oceans. They’re about being proactive instead of reactive and setting something aside while there’s still something left to protect. And they’re about giving a gift to the future as one small bright spot among the many troubling legacies our generations are leaving behind.

American Sportsfishing Association Attack on California’s Marine Life Protection Act Backfires Apr. 26, 2010

It’s too bad the American Sportsfishing Association doesn’t let facts get in the way of a good story in its fight against the Marine Life Protection Act.

In a recent edition of American Sportfishing, the president of the Beltway-based American Sportsfishing Association, Mike Nussbaum ranted about the MLPA process, apparently without the benefit of accurate information.

Fortunately, the authors of the legislation set him straight.

Headwaters Funds Approved for MLPA Economic Study March 24, 2010

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday, with 5th District Supervisor Jill Duffy absent, to pledge $145,000 in Headwaters Fund money to help fund a study of the potential economic and social impacts of restricting some offshore areas to fishing. The study is being spearheaded by the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District, and aims to quantify the value of fishing along the coast.

Reserves a Win-Win for Fish and Fishermen Feb. 23, 2010

Although fisherman routinely fight bans on fishing, studies indicate that the creation of protected marine reserves in key areas can both raise the profits of fishermen and boost fish populations. Researchers presented evidence of these dual benefits in several sessions over the past week at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in San Diego, and in a suite of papers published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Marine reserves could help to make nearby fisheries profitable by acting as nurseries for fish larvae that are later spread by ocean currents, for example. “Reserves allow a win–win situation — better conservation and higher profitability for fishing,” says Christopher Costello, a resource economist at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). His group’s modelling study of southern Californian waters suggests that fishing profits are maximized when significant areas are closed to fishing.

Marine Reserves in the Spotlight: Meeting Both Conservation and Fisheries Goals Feb. 21, 2010

This week, a special issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is dedicated to the latest science on marine reserves, with a focus on where and how reserves can most effectively help to meet both conservation and fisheries goals...

Marine Life Protection On The North Coast: Balancing Conservation, Economics And Culture Feb/March 2010

Since its initial 1999 passage, the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) hasn’t had much rest – especially these past few months...

Stakeholder group enters MLPA process February 9, 2010

A 32-member group of people representing North Coast and state interests in the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative met for the first time Monday...

Mix-up to begin for MLPA proposals February 7, 2010

A number of proposals to create marine reserves off the North Coast have gone into the blender, as a 31-member group formed under the state Marine Life Protection Act Initiative meets for the first time on Monday...

State names MLPA stakeholder group January 31, 2010

The makeup of the MLPA North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group -- a collection of 31 people from a variety of backgrounds and interests across the region -- was announced Friday...

United Front January 21, 2010

Local interests are getting closer to a plan to appease the gods of Marine Life Protection...

Supervisors approve part of MLPA request January 20, 2010

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved partial funding of a project to measure the anticipated social and economic effects of the Marine Life Protection Act on the North Coast...

Supes to give Humboldt Bay's MLPA efforts Headwaters funding January 18, 2010

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors may financially support a study about the potentially negative impact the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) would have on the local community...

Harbor grants to help fisheries research, MLPA efforts January 7, 2010

The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District has netted $250,000 in grants to coordinate efforts during the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative process and for other related fisheries research...

Supervisors back marine life protection funding request December 9, 2009

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday chose to support a Humboldt Bay Harbor, Conservation and Recreation District request for funds to develop a single marine reserve proposal for the state's....

Supervisors take on MLPA December 8, 2009

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will consider supporting the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District's grant application to develop alternatives to the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) today...

Roasts and Toasts November 23, 2009

Toast To those local political, tribal and environmental figures who have so far participated in the MLPA process, working hard to make sure the local plan is shaped by local people, as much as possible...

Protecting ecosystems and our ways of life November 21, 2009

The Marine Life Protection Act, passed in 1999, mandates a comprehensive review of existing marine reserves, and, when necessary, allows for the creation of new reserves for marine ecosystem...

MLPA task force meets: Fishermen, tribes weigh in during public comment November 19, 2009

The Blue Ribbon Task Force for the Marine Life Protection Act North Coast Study Region held its first meeting Wednesday, and it got an earful from the public. The meeting -- which was held at...

MLPA task force announced November 17, 2009

State Secretary for Natural Resources Mike Chrisman on Monday announced the Blue Ribbon Task Force membership for the Marine Life Protection Act initiative's North Coast Study Region. Humboldt...

Fish and Game announces MLPA science panel October 28, 2009

California Department of Fish and Game Director Donald Koch has announced a panel of science advisors to help develop marine protected areas along the North Coast. The Marine Life Protection Act...