Your representatives need YOUR comments!

[linglover]

PLEASE: See my new post down below!!

[sourcreamnjive]

Thanx for sharing!

[phishy]

i had time to browse through most of the documents. Kinda shoddy data if you as me if they are going to base closures on.

[IslandFox]

We need specifics Mitch, in your opinion what is the shoddy data?

And let me encourage any and all of you to plan on attending and voicing your concerns at the Nov 18th and 19th meetings in Santa Barbara.

to quote MLK Jr...

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

[IslandFox]

One thing we noted is the lack of unmapped "off limit" zones. Like those in place off bases and in LA and San Diego Harbors.

Anyone know the specifics of the exclusionary zones off Mugu and San Nic? I personally havent fished the runway reef to radar towers post 9/11.

[ODH33]

i just printed the entire document its about 2 reams of paper. i am going to go through it this weekend.

[phishy]

its kinda difficult giving specifics without knowing the history and the true data that help compile the document. Some of it seems right on..good information, while others kinda seem way out there, based on my own local knowledge of the areas i fish. was there a time frame this was compiled from? what are those dates..and always validity of the data. I can see on the private boater data sheet, and the dfg people at the docks how some of it came to play. Others it just seems hokey...but it is completely informative no matter what i think.
Now the fun begins i assume.

I put those dates in my calender MJ, hope to make the meeting.

[IslandFox]

Thanks Mitch.
The key word in all of this is of course that it is a "Draft" of the regional profile.
Per the Initiative we base our decisions off best readily available science and data, which is why it is so important that we get everyone's help in properly vetting this document before the end of the month.

Comments and concerns about the document can be sent to MLPAComments@resources.ca.gov
Please mention your user group(ie recreational fisherman)

[linglover]

I'm writing this for those folks who did not take the time to comment on the Draft Regional Profile, or perhaps felt too overwhelmed to do so. By all accounts, that is the vast majority of you.

And, no wonder! As the few folks (about 60, including maybe 30 South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group Members) who did so found out, there were a lot of significant errors in the document. A lot!

Those of us on the South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group who represent fishermen really need your help. We can't do it without you!

This flawed document will be the basis of all of our work going forward, and it needs to be fixed. The folks in charge will take all of our comments to fix it more seriously if we have a significant number of anglers present at the very next SCRSG meeting to voice their concerns and constructive comments on the Draft Regional Profile, while the SCRSG is considering modifications and revisions.

We have been told that the Draft Regional Profile is a "living document." Okay, fine--that means that it may be revised at any time during the South Coast phase. But, the MLPA staff expects to complete this first round of revisions by next month, and we the SCRSG will will be relying on them in January. So, the time to fix the darn thing is now, not later.

So, what needs fixing? Anything you think needs fixing--mostly the maps. Even a brief look at the ones where you regularly fish will reveal some glaring errors. You can find them at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/scprofile.asp .

Just to get you started, here's some examples:

Look at the first map, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/pdfs/scprofile/map201.pdf . Do you notice something missing? How about the federal portion of the Channel Islands Marine Reserves that went into effect recently? Yup, well over 100 sq. NM of brand new shiny no take reserves that are not even depicted on the maps.

How about those military closures? Ports that do not exist? Access points that do? Places that your favorite species cannot be caught, ever, like calico bass in 1000ft deep water?

So, you missed the October 31st deadline for public comments, and now you're feeling more than a little guilty? No worries. Your second chance is coming up soon at very next SCRSG meeting in Ventura:

November 18, 9:30 a.m.
November 19, 8:00 a.m.

MEETING LOCATION
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel
450 East Harbor Blvd
Ventura, CA 93001

Just be there! Even if you have nothing to add during the public commentary sessions, to shy to step up to the mic, not enough time to stay for the entire meeting you can at least touch bases with those folks who are representing you. That will help us do our job better, and provide some moral support that we will certainly need to draw on for the task ahead.

Right, MJ?

-Joel