CalOceans News

Tide turning in support of MLPA

As southern California rounds the home stretch on its landmark ocean habitat planning effort, citizens are standing up in record numbers to support conservation. The California Fish and Game Commission will finalize plans for the south coast’s Marine Protected Area network at their December meeting in Santa Barbara.

The rising tide of support for ocean protection was clear, as divers, students, kayakers, surfers and conservationists formed a sea of blue at last month’s Fish and Game Commission meeting in San Diego.

More than 1,000 southern Californians attended in support of the compromise plan, and thousands more sent emails or signed petitions supporting an ocean protection plan that will keep the region’s sea life and economy healthy for years to come.

Southern Californian business leaders have come out strongly in support of Marine Protected Areas, citing the economic importance of a healthy ocean. To date 137 businesses, including Patagonia, Pacific Gallery, and Prudential Realty Group, have signed a letter in support of the Marine Life Protection Act, pointing to the 15 million jobs and nearly $800 billion in wages in the coastal economy that depend on a healthy, productive ocean. 

More than 2,500 people signed petitions on Care2.org and Change.org telling the commissioners how important the waters of South La Jolla, Laguna Beach, Naples Reef, Swamis, Rocky Point, Point Dume and Catalina are to them.

Finally, the region’s elected officials have joined their voice to the chorus of support, with 47 city, county and state representatives signing letters in support of the MLPA. Six city councils have also passed resolutions in support of the effort.

Southern Californians have made it clear they support this effort to safeguard the health and beauty of California’s coastal waters for future generations.  This is by far the biggest expression of grassroots support for ocean habitat protection in California history – with six weeks to go!

• Tags:
• mlpa
• Marine Life Protection Act
• FGC
• fish and game
• Marine Protected Areas
• South Coast