Dear Interested Parties:

The California Department of Fish and Game is seeking nominations for members of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Master Plan Science Advisory Team (SAT) for the MLPA North coast Study Region.

As you may know, the California Legislature passed the MLPA in 1999, which directs a review the State\'s existing array of marine protected areas (MPAs) and to improve upon it in order to, among other things, protect marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems, and marine natural heritage and ensure that MPAs are designed and managed, to the extent possible, as a network.

The MLPA Initiative is being implemented in five study regions. In 2009-2011, the MLPA Initiative will focus on developing alternative MPA proposals along the north coast of California from the California/Oregon border to Alder Creek, near Point Arena in Mendocino County. The SAT is charged with providing scientific guidance in developing alternative MPA proposals.

Attached for your information is a letter of request for nominations to the SAT from Mr. Donald Koch, the director of Fish and Game, with specific details and instructions included. If you would like to nominate individuals for the SAT, please follow the instructions in the attached letter and submit your nominations no later than August 14, 2009. Also, please feel free feel to distribute this announcement to others with an interest in serving on or nominating others to the SAT.