MAMMOTH LAKES - California took another significant step in protecting its ocean resources Thursday when the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) unveiled plans for new marine protected areas (MPAs). The department provided the state's Fish and Game Commission with a series of proposals, including a "preferred option," for creating a network of MPAs along California's central coast.

"This action marks an important milestone in the state's effort to improve the design and management of marine protected areas along the state's entire coast," said DFG Director Ryan Broddrick. "It brings California a step closer to meeting the goals of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) passed by the Legislature in 1999."

The options provided by the department are the culmination of nearly two years of work by several stakeholder groups, a special Blue Ribbon Task Force, a scientific advisory team and DFG, as well as substantial public input and scientific peer review.

In addition to presenting to the commission the options developed by the task force and stakeholders, known as packages 1, 2R and 3R, the department has also forwarded its preferred option, known as "package P." That package includes 26 marine protected areas covering more than 200 square miles, or about 18 percent of state waters in the central coast region from Point Conception to Pigeon Point. While providing significant new resource protection along the central coast, only half of those areas and less than 9 percent of state waters in the region are designated as "no-take" reserves. DFG held more than 30 meetings with stakeholders, government officials and interested citizens to discuss its recommendations as it developed package P.

"The task force and stakeholders did a Herculean job giving the department some well-crafted proposals for consideration," Broddrick said. "While reviewing them to ensure we could create enforceable boundaries, reduce potential disruption to fishing activities, improve recreational opportunities and meet the scientific goals of MLPA, we needed to make some adjustments. The result of our input is package P."

The commission will review the department's proposal and alternatives over the next few months and may adopt a final option later this summer. The implementing regulations for the central coast MPAs will be scheduled for commission adoption after the environmental review process is complete.

The next step in the MLPA process will be a series of public meetings, starting on Aug.2 in Sacramento, wherein the commission will discuss and take public comment on the department's preferred option and the alternatives. The commission is the official decision-making authority for implementation of the MLPA. The commission will adopt the final master plan and proposals for regional marine protected areas along with supporting CEQA documentation and regulations.

In addition to the meeting on Aug. 2, the commission has scheduled a second, special meeting for Aug. 15 in Monterey. Additional meetings may be held in accordance with the commission's regular meeting schedule.

"I look forward to the next round of public participation as we look to developing a comprehensive package with wide constituent approval," Michael Flores, President of the Fish and Game Commission, said. "We have every intention of continuing an open and transparent process."

For more information on Fish and Game Commission meeting dates and locations, log on to the commission's web site at http://www.fgc.ca.gov/.

About the Marine Life Protection Act

The Marine Life Protection Act directs the state to design and manage a network of marine protected areas through a comprehensive program and management plan. Its primary goals are to protect marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems and marine natural heritage, as well as improve recreational educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems. Marine protected areas include state marine reserves, state marine parks and state marine conservation areas. For more information on MLPA visit DFG's Web site at ?Įwww.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/.