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Democratic Leaders Voice Unanimous Support on 10th Anniversary of Landmark Marine Protection Act

Posted on: Monday, 27 April 2009, 19:47 CDT

Move comes as California's ocean faces multiple threats

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The California Democratic Party's Environmental Caucus unanimously passed a resolution to support the state's landmark ocean conservation law, the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) at the Party's convention in Sacramento last weekend.

"The MLPA gives the public unprecedented access to protecting our ocean for future generations," said Warner Chabot, CEO of California League of Conservation Voters. "Marine Protected Areas are such a valuable tool in restoring our ocean -- and they can be designed in a way to work for all ocean users."

The resolution comes at a crucial time for the MLPA, as fishermen, conservationists, divers, scientists and business owners throughout the state are working together to create a scientifically sound network of underwater parks called Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The MLPA was passed with bipartisan support ten years ago, designed to create a cohesive network of Marine Protected Areas that are based on the best-available science. Fishing, pollution and climate change have disrupted ocean ecosystems, threatening the health and balance of California's coastal waters. Marine Protected Areas have been proven to restore ocean health, resulting in more sustainable fisheries.

Ex-assemblyman John Laird presented the resolution at the Democratic convention, and it passed unanimously on a voice vote. The resolution will be forwarded to Governor Schwarzenegger and Secretary of Natural Resources Mike Chrisman. Chrisman oversees the California Fish & Game Commission, which will be hearing final public comments May 13 on a plan to protect coastal waters off California's north central coast. The plan, developed by local stakeholders and reviewed by scientific experts, would preserve critical habitat and sensitive species while leaving nearly 90 percent of the ocean open to fishing and other uses.

The north central coast plan was designed to provide maximum ecological benefits with minimal socioeconomic impact, and reflects a carefully crafted compromise between the whole community of ocean users. As long as the plan is not weakened further, scientific evidence suggests that many species of marine life, and ecosystems as a whole, would benefit from the increased protections.

The design process for a network of south coast (from Point Conception to the Mexico border) underwater parks is also under way, and open to the public. The entire process is open to the public and interested parties are invited to attend planning sessions in order to craft the best possible compromise with the least amount of socioeconomic impact.

The Marine Life Protection Act was designed to address diverse, mounting threats to California's ocean health, including climate change, acidification and increased fishing pressure. Friday's resolution underscores the broad support for this vital effort, which helps "to ensure that our ocean is restored and maintained as a productive and vibrant place where people can swim, dive and fish now and for generations to come."

For more information, go to www.caloceans.org and http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/

The resolution text follows below:

Passed April 24, 2009

Resolution in Support of the Marine Life Protection Act

Whereas, in 1999, California adopted the Marine Life Protection with bipartisan legislative support, requiring our nation's first statewide network of marine protected areas and placing California at the forefront of worldwide efforts at ocean conservation; and

Whereas, marine protected areas around the world, and in California, have been scientifically demonstrated to protect habitat and help restore ocean life; and

Whereas, California's improved marine protected areas are being designed under an unprecedented public process based on the best available science and including extensive input from stakeholders including divers, fishermen, conservationists and local coastal community members; and

Whereas, implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act is a critical priority for California, helping to ensure that our ocean is restored and maintained as a productive and vibrant place where people can swim, dive, and fish now and for generations to come.

Be It Resolved that the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party, supports the full and timely implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act.

Resolved, that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to Governor Schwarzenegger and Secretary of Resources Mike Chrisman.

More information at www.environmentalcaucus.org

SOURCE California League of Conservation Voters

Source: PR Newswire

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