According to the information state authority has given approval to the local tribes to go for fishing off parts of Northern California. But a tribal representative says the plan falls short of what the tribes were seeking. The state Fish and Game Commission selected its preferred alternative for marine protection areas from the Oregon border south to Point Arena in Mendocino County. In its decision the commission exempts local tribes from restrictions on harvesting marine life in certain areas on the North Coast.
Ken Wiseman, executive director of the Marine Life Protection Act initiative, said that the decision to allow Native Americans to continue fishing is a win-win situation for them. But some tribal officials disagree. Alicia McQuillen with the Yurok Tribe’s attorney’s office, told that the decision is a small step they are still looking for something that’s a lot more wide ranging. The tribes would still be restricted from gathering marine life in some areas. They would also need to have a state fishing license and tribal identification and present evidence that they have historically gathered marine life in areas that fall under the exemption.
The state’s coastline was divided into regions that would be re-evaluated for protection. Regulations for the Central Coast and North Central Coast are already in effect, greatly expanding the area where fishing is prohibited or otherwise restricted. The plan for the North Coast approved Wednesday will now go through a detailed environmental review over the next several months before returning to the commission for another vote.
