CalOceans News

MPAs as living labs

California's new marine protected areas (MPAs) are being studied by legions of scientists working on the most comprehensive assessment of the state's coastal ecosystems ever undertaken.

Ongoing monitoring will enable scientists to track the effects of the new MPAs as well as climate change on the state's waters. From Peter Raimondi, professor and chair of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz:

“The MPA monitoring program has made a real effort to bring together groups that can do rigorous assessments across all the coastal systems; it's assessing all the nearshore habitats in a very integrated way, and that just hasn't been done before.”

This monitoring effort is an example of California’s MPA network working as a “living laboratory,” allowing scientists to better understand how the ocean functions. As the science improves, so do our ocean management practices, which is good for all ocean users.

The results of the baseline monitoring surveys have just been published by the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO).

Scientists warn that it may take five to 10 years to see the effects of the new protections, but if the thousands of MPAs used in countries around the world are any indication, California's ocean sanctuaries will produce more and bigger fish, and healthier, more resilient ecosystems.

• Tags:
• Marine Protected Areas
• monitoring
• enforcement
• ocean protection council
• baseline monitoring

Study: Marine reserves boost lobster fisheries

A team of marine scientists released a study last week showing that the spillover of lobsters from marine reserves more than compensates for lost fishing grounds.  During the 10 year study period, the net gain to fishermen was about 10% annually.

The study, published this month in the magazine Marine Ecology Progress Series, was conducted by researchers of the Balearics Oceanographic Centre of the Spanish Oceanography Institute with collaboration from scientists at the universities of Washington and Michigan.

This is further evidence that science-based marine protected areas are good for the ocean as well as our economy. By investing in our ocean resources through the use of protected areas, we are ensuring the long-term viability of our commercial fishing industries as well.

• Tags:
• fisheries
• marine reserves
• marine science
• Marine Protected Areas
• lobster

Science Magazine: MLPA balances nature and politics

California's ocean is more than just an iconic attraction--it's also an economic powerhouse, driving millions of dollars in revenue each year for tourism, recreation, fishing and other businesses.  And all of those industries stand to gain when the state's science-based marine protected area network is complete. 

This Science Magazine article highlights new scientific tools and research that enable local stakeholders and State decisionmakers to design a network of ocean sanctuaries that will boost both fisheries health and profits. 

Bioeconomic computer models allow California to implement the Marine Life Protection Act in a way that will maximize ecological benefits and minimize short-term economic impacts.

According to UC Santa Barbara's Chris Costello, protecting the places where fish and shellfish feed and breed will increase the sustainability and productivity of fisheries. Bioeconomic models suggest that the kelp rockfish fishery would double in value under the plan currently proposed for southern California. 

Science Magazine calls the Marine Life Protection Act, which combines extensive public input with the best available science, a model for other states and countries looking to protect their ocean resources.

• Tags:
• science magazine
• fishery benefits
• Marine Life Protection Act

Southern California ocean protection effort advances

The California Fish and Game Commission held their meeting of the year on the Marine Life Protection Act in Ontario this week.  They heard over four hours of public testimony from seventy-five south coast residents, each weighing in on marine protected area plans for the south coast.
 
Many surfers, scientists, divers, and conservationists lobbied for stronger protections for iconic ocean areas like Rocky Point and south La Jolla, but the commission voted 3-2 to maintain the compromise plan known as the “Integrated Preferred Alternative” as their proposed project.
 
The compromise plan draws from three stakeholder proposals developed over a year of study and negotiations among different interest groups.  It would protect beloved ocean areas like Naples Reef, Dume underwater canyon, Laguna, and Swamis Reef while leaving the vast majority of the coast, including most of the region’s most popular fishing grounds, open for fishing. 

“We applaud the Commission’s decision move forward with this vital ocean protection effort,” said Greg Helms of the Ocean Conservancy. “New research unveiled at last month’s American Association for the Advancement of Science conference shows that well-designed marine protected areas provide both economic and environmental benefits.  With so many southern California businesses depending on the health and productivity of our coastal waters, we can’t afford to delay protection.”
 
The Commission’s decision indicates initial support for the compromise plan, but a range of options will be analyzed in environmental review, including proposals developed by conservationists and fishermen. There will be further opportunities for public input at Commission hearings over the coming months, with a final decision expected later this year 
 
“The compromise plan is a step in the right direction, but there is still room for improvement,” said Marcela Gutierrez of WildCoast. “By strengthening the protections around Palos Verdes and south La Jolla, we can better meet the science and increase benefits for fish and fishermen.”
 
For more information on the Marine Life Protection Act, visit www.caloceans.org, or www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa.

• Tags:
• Fish and Game Commission
• ipa
• integrated preferred alternative
• Marine Protected Areas
• South Coast