Explore Maps of Marine Protected Areas with the Surfrider Foundation!

After a year of "map-making" and planning, the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process is in the home stretch. Local stakeholders are putting final touches on the maps and will come up with three different proposals. The three proposals will ultimately be forwarded to the Fish and Game Commission where they will vote on one map they think will work best for southern California.

The Surfrider Foundation is holding community forums up and down the So Cal coast to help local communities learn more about the Marine Life Protection Act and to discuss the proposed maps.

This is one of your last chances to give meaningful input on where marine protected areas should be located! Please join us!

After each community forum, Surfrider will compile all constructive comments into a letter that will be sent to decision makers before the final vote. We need to hear from you!

Agenda:

• 7:00-7:10--Welcome and brief overview.
• 7:10-7:20--Summary of Surfrider's outreach efforts over the past year and what we learned from local communities and Surfrider supporters.
• 7:20-7:40--Overview and discussion of each map.
• 7:40-8:00--Questions & Answers.

WHEN: Four different forums will be held in the following areas:Orange County, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego. All forums will be from 7-8pm.

WHERE:

• Sept 23. San Clemente Senior Center: 242 Avenida Del Mar. San Clemente, CA 92672.
• Sept 24. Watershed Resource Center: 2981 Cliff Drive. Santa Barbara, CA 93109
• Sept 29. Santa Monica Library--Ocean Park Branch: 2601 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90405
• Sept 30. Encinitas Community Center: 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Encinitas, CA 92024

Please come early as seating is limited!

More about the Marine Life Protection Act:
The MLPA is a law that requires the state to establish a "network" of marine protected areas from Oregon to the Mexican border. The goals of the MLPA are to: ‘set aside’ areas of the ocean to increase fish populations, enhance marine habitat, and to improve recreational and educational opportunities. Over the past year, Surfrider has been working with diverse groups of people including recreationalists, fishermen, environmentalists, and Chapter activists to ensure the law is effectively implemented.

To learn more about Surfrider's work on MLPA, email Ssekich@surfrider.org

Surfrider's Own Joe Geever Featured in a Film about MPAs

Joe Geever, California Policy Coordinator, talks about his experience as a commercial fishermen and provides insight into the benefits of Marine Protected Areas.

Check out video here!