Last Chance to Speak Up on South Coast Marine Protected Areas--Attend Commission Hearing on Dec 9 in LA

The 'end of the line' for South Coast Marine Protected Areas has arrived!  Dec 9th marks the final meeting in a 'yearlong process', and we need you to attend.  As you know, the Blue Ribbon Task Force unanimously voted to forward a final map to the Fish and Game Commission. The map, called the Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA), is a hybrid map representing diverse Stakeholder views.

The MLPA, as a law, was designed and written to ensure diverse views were incorporated into the final map. Surfrider fully supports the IPA because we believe it contains a balance of conservation and fishing interests--and perspectives from all ocean users. The Commission will base its decision on public support--and that’s why they need to hear from you on Dec 9th! 

Please attend the hearing and express that you are concerned about preserving ocean resources and that you support a 'balanced' proposal that provides strong protection while incorporating diverse stakeholder perspectives.

If you would like help with talking points for the Dec 9^th meeting, please contact Stefanie at:  Ssekich@surfrider.org   To stay updated about Surfrider MLPA efforts and to send an action alert to the Commission here: http://mlpasurfrider.blogspot.com/

Dec 9th  Meeting Information:

Radisson Hotel--LAX 
ABC Ballroom 


6225 W. Century Blvd. 


Los Angeles, CA

**PUBLIC SPEAKER CARDS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT 9:00 AM AND MUST BE TURNED IN TO COMMISSION STAFF BY 10:10 AM FOR CONSIDERATION.  PUBLIC TESTIMONY WILL  BE HEARD FROM APPROXIMATELY 10:15 AM -12:30 PM TODAY.  THE TIME ALLOTTED  PER INDIVIDUAL WILL BE DETERMINED BASED ON THE NUMBER OF SPEAKER CARDS RECEIVED, AND ANNOUNCED AT THE START OF THE MEETING.**

Please take the time to fill out this action alert that will be sent to the Commission. http://action.surfrider.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=428

Thanks and hope to see you at the Dec 9th hearing!

Final BRTF Map Posted

The Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA) as seen above (click to enlarge) has been posted on the MLPA website here: and is also available in Marine Map here: The name of the array for the IPA in Marine Map is: "MLPA South Coast Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA)". You will want to use Marine Map if you are interested in seeing the regulations for each protected area.

As our post says below, Surfrider is supportive of the IPA because we feel it contains a balance of diverse perspectives from all ocean uses. Plus it contains important areas of habitat that will be critical for the longevity of MPAs in So Cal. Furthermore, the unanimous BRTF vote makes it clear that the IPA is getting the strongest possible recommendation to move forward to the DFG.

It is very important that people attend the Fish and Game Commission hearing on Dec 9th to voice support for the IPA. Surfrider will be creating talking points; and if you are interested in testifying in support of the IPA, please contact Stefanie at: Ssekich@surfrider.org

We are going to post an "action alert" next week so that you can personally write to the Fish and Game urging them to adopt the IPA.

Stay tuned....

Final MLPA map (finally) goes to Fish and Game Commission.

This week, the Blue Ribbon Task Force unanimously voted to forward the Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA) map to the Fish and Game Commission.

The IPA is a hybrid map containing shapes from all the Regional Stakeholder Group maps. Surfrider is pleased with the map because we believe some of our recommendations were considered and incorporated into the final map. While it's not perfect, we believe the IPA contains a balance of conservation and fishing interests--and perspectives from all ocean users.

The BRTF will present the IPA to the Fish and Game Commission on Dec 9 and the Commission will make a final decision early in 2010.

Decision makers will be publishing the map on Wed, Nov 18 here.

The IPA is being viewed by decision makers as a compromise proposal. And we agree. In fact, we unequivocally agree because for the past year we have been working with "both sides of the isle"; so we know exactly what that compromise should look like.

The MLPA, as a law, was designed and written to ensure compromise is 'struck in the end'. Surfrider believes we were able to help find that balance. During this process, we made some great friends, encountered some lively debate, and spent a lot of time listening and mulling over the maps. We support the IPA and believe, in the end, it is balanced and includes Marine Protected Areas that will work for years to come.

Stay tuned as we will have further action to take before the Commission hearing on Dec 9th.

Here is some recent news coverage on the issue:

SD Union Tribune:

LA Times:

North County Times:

Orange County Register:

Updated Surfrider Map Recommendations

We decided to change our Laguna map shape so that the lines are facing perpendicular to the coast (as we mentioned in our memo that we submitted on Oct 11 to the BRTF).

In addition, we know there is support from other RSG members to have the lines moved perpendicular. So now it's reflected here: