Recreational Fishing and Boating Community Denounces South Coast Decision

LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--
The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO), which represents recreational
fishing and boating interests in California, today denounced a decision that
could have a devastating effect on California`s economy and the public`s right
to access the state`s coastal waters.

Under the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), California`s South Coast
Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF), appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger,
today voted to send its own preferred alternative proposal to the state`s Fish
and Game Commission (FGC) that will close vast areas of the South Coast to
public access, ignoring the impact this decision will have on the state`s
economy and budget. Particularly hard hit will be the Malibu, Orange County and
San Diego County fishing communities. The recreational fishing and boating
community supported Proposal 2, a proposal drafted in part by recreational and
commercial fishermen and that provided significant additional conservation for
California`s ocean resources while minimizing the economic impact of lost
fishing opportunity.

"By making this decision, the BRTF passed over the three proposals it earlier
voted to send to the Fish and Game Commission that were created by 64
stakeholders who worked 14 months to create these three proposals under an ever
changing set of guidelines," said Bob Fletcher, former president, Sportfishing
Association of California, a regional stakeholder group member and PSO member.
"Proposal 2 has a high conservation value that is relatively the same as other
proposals but would have the least economic impact on southern California,
particularly San Diego where fishing and boating is an integral component of the
local economy. The BRTF choose to ignore Proposal 2 in favor of its own
version."

"Recreational fishermen are the first and best ocean stewards who strongly
believe in conserving ocean resources and will be the first to step forward when
conservation action is required," said Patty Doerr, Director of Ocean Resource
Policy for the American Sportfishing Association and PSO member. "In a sound
public policy process, the conservation effort must also be balanced with
responsibly regulated fishing, economic considerations and access to the fishery
resource. The BRTF, in creating its own alternative, failed to meet these basic
objectives."

The South Coast BRTF met October 20-22, 2009, to review three marine protected
area (MPA) proposals, including Proposal 2, to be forwarded to the FGC for
consideration during its December meeting in Los Angeles. At that meeting, the
BRTF voted to advance all three proposals to the FGC. The BRTF met again on
November 10 to finalize the development of an integrated preferred alternative
that would include elements from the other three proposals. Proposal 2 is one of
the original three proposals forwarded to the FGC. Proposal 2 placed MPAs in
locations with a high level of conservation while minimizing the economic impact
on local communities and allowing recreational anglers maximum access to
fishing.

"The action of the BRTF flies in the face California residents` ability to
access our state`s coastal waters and prime fishing grounds," said Paul
Lebowitz, director, Kayak Fishing Association of California, regional
stakeholder group member and PSO member. "In four surveys conducted during the
last two years by Research Analytics & Strategy, Californians have clearly
demonstrated they strongly support maintaining recreational fishing as an
activity to be enjoyed by everyone. From a Field Research poll in mid-2007 to a
recent poll of Laguna Beach residents, California`s have repeatedly said they
support recreational fishing, want it to continue, and favor recreational
fishing over marine reserves."

"This is a dark day for California`s recreational anglers," said Steve Fukuto,
president, United Anglers of Southern California and PSO member. "Most
disappointing is the fact that anglers provide approximately $70 million each
year to California for marine fisheries management and countless hours of
volunteer time to support fisheries in the state. For example, United Anglers of
Southern California were instrumental in creating the white sea bass hatchery
program. No other user group even comes close to this level of investment -
certainly not the people who support closing our state waters to California`s
residents."

As this BRTF creation moves to the FGC, the PSO will continue to support
Proposal 2. Fletcher further said, "It is simply the most balanced alternative
and represents the least negative economic and social impact. It chooses the
heritage of recreational fishing in Southern California over symbolic gestures
that are not necessary for the protection of our ocean resources. As a
community, our goal from the very beginning has been to maximize the
conservation of our oceans with the least impact on the economy. Proposal 2 does
just that."

The PSO encourages recreational anglers and boaters to attend the December 9,
2009 FGC meeting in Los Angeles where the BRTF will present its preferred
alternative to the FGC. Lebowitz said, "Anglers should attend and voice their
support for Proposal 2 and against the preferred alternative."

The 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
Media Direction
Bob Brown, 714-524-1755
or
American Sportfishing Association
Patty Doerr, 703-888-7796

Copyright Business Wire 2009