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

March 24, 2005

Phil Isenberg, Chair
Blue Ribbon Task Force
Marine Life Protection Act Initiative

Re: Recommendation for the Central Coast Study Area

Dear Chairman Isenberg:

Our organization, the Alliance for Communities for Sustainable Fisheries, has been organized to represent the economic, social, and cultural interests of the recreational and commercial fishing industry in the geographic region from Port San Luis (Avila Beach) to Pillar Point Harbor in San Mateo County. As the name implies, we are committed to the preservation of sustainable fisheries and link the fishing activity with the greater communities that support that industry. Resolutions supporting the efforts of the ACSF have been adopted by the City Councils of Monterey and Morro Bay, by the elected Commissions of the San Mateo County, Moss Landing and Port San Luis Harbor Districts, and the Santa Cruz Port District.

First may I thank you for participating in the dinner hosted by the City of Monterey and other agencies to help establish communication between Task Force members and staff, and waterfront community leaders in our region. It was a pleasure meeting you and I am personally heartened by your commitment to see that the MLPAI process is a fair one.

I am writing now representing the Alliance to express our support for a Central Coast study area that would lie between Pigeon Point to the north down to Pt. Arguello to the south. We do not feel that the study area boundary should extend farther north or farther south for the primary reason that it will involve other major fishing communities out of San Francisco and out of the Southern California region, which will make the study project far more complex. To assure success of this project, the project area needs to be manageable.
Thank you for considering our view.

Sincerely,

Kathy Fosmark
Co-Chair, ACSF

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