In the letter to California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Mike Chrisman they have asked for a delay of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative which would create Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that ban all or most types of recreational and commercial fishing.
Three North Coast counties and numerous local governments have signed the letter which raises specific concerns about the current MLPA Initiative. It is told that the MLPA North Coast Study Region spans over 200 miles of coastline from the Oregon border to just north of Point Arena. As part of the MLPA Initiative, Humboldt State University recently compiled existing ecological and oceanographic data and found that there are substantial data gaps.
They have been aggressively pursuing funding for research that would close some of the most important data gaps, but due to the current state and federal economic situation, research funding is sparse. The state has no money for implementation, which is estimated by the MLPA Initiative at $20-$60 million per year.
California Fish and Game Commission pleading to delay or suspend any and all mandates that place additional responsibilities on wardens until such time that furlough and staffing issues are addressed. It is informed that MLPA Initiative staff has conceded that due to a lack of financial resources, CA Department of Fish Game may not be able to implement the MPAs.
