California Bans Fishing

[delmarrey]

Not totally but there are major restrictions going into effect over the whole West Coast.

See article >>>>California's marine reserve network now complete - Los Angeles Times

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Not totally but there are major restrictions going into effect over the whole West Coast.

See article >>>>California's marine reserve network now complete - Los Angeles Times

Restrictions on 16% of CA state waters aren't even close to a total ban, and CA is just half of the West Coast, maybe a bit less depending on whether you are discussing coastline or area.

That said I think the reasons given in the article are good and sound and hope that it spreads up to WA and OR and maybe even AK.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Not totally but there are major restrictions going into effect over the whole West Coast.

See article >>>>California's marine reserve network now complete - Los Angeles Times

Restrictions on 16% of CA state waters aren't even close to a total ban, and CA is just half of the West Coast, maybe a bit less depending on whether you are discussing coastline or area.

That said I think the reasons given in the article are good and sound and hope that it spreads up to WA and OR and maybe even AK.

[Teknav]

So, if you're caught with a bunch of crawling lobsters on your boat, you can always say..."the lobsters followed me, against my will!" Mauritz

[daddle]

Fish, shellfish, squid, and crustaceans are nearly extinct all along the coast of California. Too little too late.

[JPA Cate]

FWIW, over the past 17 years or so, we have watched with interest the efforts in New Caledonia, which created marine parks next to other areas of their outer reef which have no restrictions, and the fish stocks have improved throughout. For California, my State of origin, I hope the otters didn't eat all the pismo clams, and that their population returns as well. New Caledonia lacks seals and sea otters as predators on their fish population, so maybe it's easier there.

[David M]

The idea of creating preserves so that different species have a place to reproduce, grow and to spread from there to non-protected areas seems like sound reasoning to me. Closing down 16% is no big deal compared to depleting or losing entire species.

[Astrid]

My thoughts too.

[s/v Beth]

Does anyone have a map where the reserves are?

[Cheechako]

In the 70's Alaska took a major and highly debated step in significant regulation and closing down the salmon fishery. There was a huge amount of flak taken for doing so, and fisherman were out of control up in arms. Today Alaska has a healthy salmon fishery. WA, Oregon, CA etc have a pretty bad commercial fishery, and the fish are quite small. Evidently it works. I read the whole story about this in National Fisherman (a commercial fishing mag) maybe 10 years ago. They were praising the guy ( I forget his name) who they wanted to kill in the 70's.....

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Does anyone have a map where the reserves are?

Here's a partial map.>>>> California Completes Nation's Largest Marine Reserve | Gadling.com

[Adelie]

Official PDF's for the whole CA coast: Marine Life Protection Act

[delmarrey]

Maps? You like maps? >>> Marine Life Protection Act

e.g. https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.a...93&inline=true

BTW OZ and the rest of the world is getting on the band wagon. >>> Rio Earth summit nears as scientists warn planet faces grave threats - Washington Post