Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries
256 Figueroa Street #1, Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 373-5238
www.alliancefisheries.com

When it comes down to it, the fishing community, who is right in the middle of having to conform with all the existing management – closures and other kinds of rules – know that there is no need for additional protections.  This area of the world is extensively protected, both on a species basis with such laws as the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and also on an ecosystem basis through the Magnuson Act and through the National Marine Sanctuary Act. 

You also need to know that this region is in real risk of losing its fishing infrastructure.  This is not to say that fishing will ever cease entirely, because I don’t think that’s true, both for recreational fishing and commercial fishing – there will always be some niches of fishing.  But, if not enough volume can come across our docks, then the infrastructure, meaning the buyers, processors, ice facilities, hoist facilities, fuel piers, haul-out yards, etc., are in economic risk and they could be lost.  Once these facilities are lost, the real estate dynamics are such that when other uses come in we will never get our fishing infrastructure back.  Good socio-economic analysis aimed both at direct fishing costs and community wide costs would show this. 

I remind the SAC that the National Marine Sanctuary Act also requires the wise and sustainable use of resources.  It’s not just about protection of resources, and the law must be taken as a whole, not just in pieces.  So, it shouldn’t surprise you to hear that the fishing community, based on both economic issues, but also good science and biological needs, does not feel that additional MPAs are needed.

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