Aliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries
P O Box 1309, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 (831) 659-2838

January 25, 2005

Dan Basta, Director
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
1305 East-West Highway, Room 11523
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Re: What are the resources that the Sanctuary Program protects?

Dear Director Basta,

A number of members of the Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries participate in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s Special Marine Protected Area Working Group (SMPAWG). A key question that has arisen within the group is the question: “What are the resources that the National Marine Sanctuary Program is to protect?” We think that this question is not important just to issues within Monterey Bay, but is of national importance throughout the National Marine Sanctuary system. The question is so important that we are attaching a letter written by Steve Scheiblauer, who represents “harbor communities” on the Board of Directors of our Association. He is also a member of the SMPA Workgroup. This letter explores both legislative intent, and the letter of the law of the National Marine Sanctuary Act to answer this question. The Alliance of Communities of Sustainable Fisheries hopes that you will give this letter a very careful reading and consideration of its analysis.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Kathy Fosmark, Co-Chair, ACSF

Frank Emerson, Co-Chair, ACSF

Attachment

Supporting Associations & Organizations
Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association
Port San Luis Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Monterey Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Fishermen’s Association of Moss Landing
Santa Cruz Commercial Fishermen’s Marketing Association
Half Moon Bay Fishermen’s Marketing Association
Fishermen’s Alliance
Western Fishboat Owners Association
Ventura County Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Federation of Independent Seafood Harvesters
Golden Gate Fishermen's Association
Port San Luis Harbor District
City of Morro Bay Harbor
City of Monterey Harbor
Moss Landing Harbor District
Santa Cruz Port District
Pillar Pt. Harbor, San Mateo County Harbor District