Marine Life Protection Act
Now is your chance to learn more about the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) and view proposals for protected areas in southern California. Over the summer, MLPA Staff will be hosting open houses to display draft maps of marine protected areas; and to answer questions the general public might have about the MLPA. You can swing by any time you like! Go here to find a location near you: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/pdfs/openhouseflyer.pdf
In addition, the Surfrider Foundation will be hosting community forums later this summer so we can discuss the MLPA with our membership and supporters. We launched a new blog to keep you updated about our efforts. http://mlpasurfrider.blogspot.com/
Please also take a look at the Surfrider FACT SHEET
It’s critical local communities are involved with the process of designating protected areas. That’s why the Surfrider Foundation is gathering information from local communities and our membership. Our goal is to balance our members’ commitment to restoring and protecting our coast and ocean, with our support of sustainable and accessible fishing opportunities. If you have questions about MLPA or want to get involved, please contact Stefanie at:
Ssekich@surfrider.org
SOME KEY MLPA FACTS:
- MLPA is a state law-it needs to be implemented no matter what! The goal of the law is to set up marine protected areas along the CA coast.
- Surfirder has been supportive of the law since 1999 and our goal is to balance our members’ commitment to restoring and protecting our coast and ocean, with our support of sustainable and accessible fishing opportunities. We are seeking common ground between environmentalists and fishermen.
- There will be community forums sponsored by the State and Surfrider (meetings in LA area are July 6&7….Surfirder forums will be at the end of summer).
We have “general support petition” that stresses the NEED for the MLPA. Our petition stresses the MLPA will create a healthier ocean, and also create a sustainable future for fishing.
