We need your help....

[Benny]

Guys and Gals, I am reaching out to each and everyone one of you to help out. I would consider myself as a someone who cares about the environment, I try and do my part for the most part.

I love to fly fish, and I know everyone reading this more than likely has the same passion for the sport. Many of you fly fish along parts of the California coast as I do or off shore at the islands or the surf. Well there is a very well funded group that has been trying to implement (MLPA) Marine Life Protection Act closures along the most productive fishing areas, this includes surf fishing areas along most of the California coast. I agree we should have protected areas for wildlife, but I do not agree that this should be done at any cost. This will affect tons of people throughout the State.

The success of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) largely depends on the continued involvement of the public. If we as fishermen do not participate in the process, we will loose most of the prime fishing areas. This is really sad and I think we as a group should try and help the rest of the anglers that this will affect.

I for one never thought that I would ever have to stop fly fishing the surf or the local kelpbeds off the kayak. I kid you not, this is a serious issue and we need to wake up and see what is going on. I'm trying to get informed as much as I can, and hope that all of you guys will do so as well.

Here is a link to the DFG site that helps to understand what is going on. If you ever wanted to get involved in a worthy cause this is it. I don't think it's fair to have a very well funded special interest group funding this program.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/

Here are a few more links to other sites that have been trying to rally anglers together. Please read and try and get involved if you care about fishing in the one of the biggest fishing holes in California, the Pacific Ocean.

Click links below

BAYTUBERS

KAYAKSPORTFISHING

BIGWATERSEDGE

It's a big surprise that this news has just reached this forum. I wish I would have kept informed, so I could have helped sooner.

Thanks for your help

[Benny]

This is a link to a map with all the public proposals that are up for closures.

Look at it carefully, click on the various proposals, your favorite fishing hole may be on the list of closures

http://marinemap.org/marinemap/

[anacrime]

Yeah this has been in the works for years now. Definitely big news as of late.

I'm quite torn on the subject and haven't acted either way. The fisherman in me wants to keep fishing those areas, but the environmentalist in me makes me think I'm just being selfish. In the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter what either side wants. The ideal solution should reflect what is best for the ecosystem as a whole. I don't know that either side has the answer to that at this point.

As much as I'd hate to admit it, fishermen often fail to see the big picture because their too intent on serving themselves. Many care more about the act of fishing than they do about the fish themselves. IMO we don't have a right to fish at all, it's a privilege, and one we often take for granted.

It's no surprise that there is an inverse relationship between the increase in CA's population and the number and size of fish caught. It's happened quite quickly, ask the old dudes. They'll tell you of 20 halibut days, calico bass averaging 5lbs from the rocks, all you can eat white sea bass, etc.

The environmentalists, on the other hand, have that "all you can eat" mentality, with again, selfish motives. They're often more interested in sticking it to their opponents rather than finding any sort of common ground. Humans aren't instinctively diplomatic unfortunately...

My favorite fishing spot is on the list. Other spots in the area are already closed to fishing. I don't know how I feel about it really. I do love fishing in the area, though it would be pretty awesome to see what would happen to the fish and crustacean populations if it's closed.

Ideally I'd like to see some sort of season implemented, even if we only have a fishing window of a couple months or something. But then again, that's what I want, which inherently doesn't and shouldn't matter...

[rayfound]

Couldn't, you know, harvest be limited/eliminated, but fishing remain open?

They'll tell you of 20 halibut days, calico bass averaging 5lbs from the rocks, all you can eat white sea bass, etc.

That's the problem.... the majority of fishing in California is to have a BBQ. But theres no reason, from a Legal standpoint, that C& regulations can't allow sportfishing to continue without substantial harvest.

I mean, you go one one of the party boats, and every fish goes in a bag, long as its legal. Its no wonder the fishery isn't what it used to be.

Closing some areas to fishing, to me, is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Its not the fishing that's killing fish, its the killing of fish that's killing fish... The CULTURE HAS TO CHANGE if fishing, in general, is to survive long term as a pastime. I'm not against the occasional taking of a fish in principle, but the priority of fishermen MUST shift from filling a cooler, to just having fun. the current culture can not be supported by the ecosystem.

[anacrime]

Agreed for the most part Ray. Changing the way people think is another battle on another level and is beyond the scope of the MLPA. I reckon most folks will never change, and that's a tragedy.

C&R folks aren't always innocent either. I don't know if you have, but check out SCsurffishing.com sometime. You'll see tons of "C&R" fishermen taking photos of fish covered in sand, gilling fish, lipping fish, tailing fish vertically, holding fish by treble hooks, etc. Chances are most of these fish will die as a direct result, of injury (impairing feeding or defense), or parasite. And these are educated fisher folks who know better. Most seem to have that "if it swims away I'm innocent" mentality. And that, too, is a tragedy. I saw a fish that I've C&R'd down here die a couple days later, and it was a standard C&R, not even a photo. Definitely an eye opener.

C&R only places would be a step in the right direction, but I wonder if seasonal closures would be better in the long run. After all, as trout fishermen, we welcome seasonal closures on still and running water as we know it is beneficial to the fishery as a whole. Shouldn't the salt be the same? I don't know really, but it seems logical enough.

[Benny]

Seasonal closures and reduced bag limits are key to helping to restore depleted fish stocks. Closing areas off completely for two or three generations is unreasonable. There needs to be some sort of middle ground. All interest should be viewed and a compromise should be met.

It would be a real shame if someone decided to close all the trails and the backcountry to all human contact. This is sort of what some of the proposals are trying to do on the ocean. I find it to be extreme and just unfair to all who use the resource.

[Flyjunkie]

I fully agree with the "Change the Mindset" view.. When i managed a 50/50 shop years back.. I'd get into conversations with the folks on the Conventional side of the shop.. it was sad that a lot of them had the view that it was their right to constantly take home fillets from going out on the Party Boats.. It seemed that was their Only purpose for going out; load up on fish Fillets.. These Folks are the ones who scream the loudest about these Proposed closures...

Yet if I would try to talk and "show" them how they are contributing to the Declines of Fish Stocks in areas the Party Boats Constantly visit, they didn't want to hear it.. Constantly Blaming Commercial Fishing Boats (which rarely fish the areas the Party Boats do) or Something else.. Never could they admit that they, in some way, contribute to the Decline..

Of Course Western Outdoor News contributes greatly to these Anglers thinking the way they do.. Cause that rag never mentions anything about "Limiting Your Kill, Don't kill your limit".. They Perpetrate and Foster that "Kill My Limit, Kill My Limit" mindset.. If that Newspaper would start promoting "Limit Your Kill".. the situation would improve... But I doubt they ever will..

Capt John, Who owns the Sea Jay that we do those 6 pack Flyfishing Trips on.. Mentioned to me that while He didn't mind taking out "Burlap Sack Stuffers".. He Prefers Us Flyfishers.. Because We aren't interested in filling Our Sacks.. (thought some on each trip keep A FEW..). We are more interested in Enjoying the fishing. John even said He'd bet we'd all enjoy just getting into a school of Mackerel at the Islands.. (Oh * Yeah).

I've been following this MLPA for some years now... and writing when I feel the Need to..

I think in the Long haul, If the Fishing community would let our elected officials know how much we contribute to the State via taxes on Fishing & Fishing related Items.. we will have made our voices heard.. But I am for Conservation and protection as well... (can't go fishing if there ain't any fish left...). There has to be a Happy medium that we need to reach.. (we're not there yet...).. Reduced Bag limits.. Seasonal closures... Increased Minimum Size limits..

Getting rid of all Long Liners and Bottom trawlers (very destructive practices both.. with something like 2000% waste catch..That's Freakin' insane)..

Re-educate the "Burlap Sack Stuffer" crowd to embrace conservation and limit their Daily takes on Party Boats.. getting Party Boats to encourage reduced takes... (report it as C & R in the daily counts..what's wrong with that???)

Lotsa areas that can be followed and with proper work and focus can make the situation better for all parties involved..