Special Interests Taking Over Marine Life Protection Act Implementation Process, According to PSO

Latest MLPA Decision Side-Steps Established Blue Ribbon Task Force Guidelines
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
It`s becoming increasingly evident that the interests of ocean closure advocates
are taking precedence in California`s Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)
implementation process which threaten to overshadow democratic process, the
state`s budget crisis, and the lack of scientific data needed to designate
effective and efficient marine protected areas (MPAs) off California`s coast.

The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) - the organization that represents
recreational fishing and boating interests, along with other organizations - has
expressed its strong disappointment to the MLPA staff and the Blue Ribbon Task
Force (BRTF) regarding the manner in which the MLPA implementation process is
progressing and which could restrict or close a significant area of California`s
coastal waters to public access, which primarily means recreational fishing.

"There is no doubt that we support the state`s intentions to protect essential
habitat and maintain healthy fish populations," said Patty Doerr, Ocean Resource
Policy director for the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), a PSO member.
"However, we question the wisdom of establishing no-fishing zones that cannot be
scientifically monitored and enforced, given the state`s financial crisis, when
the result will be the loss of jobs in both the public and private sectors."

It was disclosed last week that proposal "C," the most extreme marine protected
areas (MPAs) closure plan, was allowed to move forward as one of seven
alternatives, despite being soundly defeated in voting held at the end of the
Regional Stakeholder Group (RSG) meeting held May 19-21 in Santa Ana. In a
reversal of its own guidelines, the MLPA staff allowed seven proposals, of which
"C" is one, to move forward to the BRTF and the Science Advisory Team for their
consideration despite the staff`s guidance to the RSG that only six could move
forward. Proposal C is supported by the closure advocates and garnered the
support of less than half the RSG during its vote last week.

"Recreational fishing and boating supporters are understandably outraged over
last week`s decision. Despite having support from less than half of the RSG
members, MLPA Executive Director Ken Wiseman and the MLPA staff moved the
proposal forward despite their ground rules that only proposals with strong
cross-interest support would be left on the table for consideration," said Steve
Fukuto, president of United Anglers of Southern California and a PSO member.

"The PSO has repeatedly expressed our concerns regarding the lack of scientific
data and guidance from the BRTF, as well as the blind adherence to an arbitrary
timeline," continued Doerr. "The blatant bias shown after the most recent RSG
meeting is the latest example of how the South Coast process has gone awry, and
it is also the incident of greatest concern for the recreational fishing and
boating communities."

"As the process of deciding what portions of California's coastline will be
designated as MPAs, and therefore off-limits for recreational fishing, the
parameters keep changing." Doerr further said, "Repeated requests from the PSO
and numerous other stakeholder groups to slow down the implementation process
and address the very real issues of future funding and better scientific data,
have fallen on deaf ears."

Based on this latest development, speculation about the authenticity of the MLPA
process is again at the forefront. Gordon Robertson, ASA vice president
concluded, "This most recent incident regarding the South Coast MPA proposals
only serves to further expose the bias toward the preservationist community
exhibited throughout the entire South Coast process. It is now apparent that the
MLPA Initiative is not returning the good-faith efforts of the angling and
boating communities and others that have worked diligently to play by the rules.
We call on California`s legislature to address this issue and put the brakes on
the MLPA implementation process."

For more information about the MLPA and the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans
and to sign up for action alerts, go to www.keepamericafishing.org/california.

The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) includes the American Sportfishing
Association, Berkley Conservation Institute, Coastside Fishing Club,
Contributing Members of the Avalon Tuna Club, International Game Fish
Association, Kayak Fishing Association of California, National Marine
Manufacturers Association, Nor-Cal Kayak Anglers, Shimano Sport Fisheries
Initiative, Southern California Marine Association, the Sportfishing Association
of California, United Anglers of Southern California and the Watermen`s Alliance

For Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO)
Susan Bitar, 916-941-6102
susan@kpastrategies.com
Dan Kramer, 916-941-6102
dan@kpastrategies.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009