Abalone and Marine Sanctuaries

My brother HDW is visiting and we will be Abalone diving and live blogging this weekend. There is a brewing controversy on expanding marine sanctuaries on the North Central Coast. It is probably needed to protect the resource, but exactly where and when will be a difficult and contentious decision.

Coastal controversy
"Outcry over state marine sanctuary plan that would declare prime spots along Sonoma, Mendocino coasts off-limits to fishing, diving
By DEREK J. MOORE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Fishing has been a way of life in Arch Richardson's family ever since his ancestors used gold to purchase property on Sonoma County's northern coast.

But that 130-year legacy will vanish, the retired store owner said, if state officials move forward with a proposal to declare the waters off Stewarts Point off-limits to ocean-going activities.

"No more taking the kids fishing. No more getting abalone for dinner. No nothing," said Richardson, whose family owns nearly 5 miles of coastal land.

Stewarts Point is among several areas along the Sonoma and Mendocino coast under consideration for permanent fishing bans or other restrictions as a way of protecting marine life.

About 80 square miles from Santa Cruz to Mendocino County could fall under the most severe restrictions, including many areas on the North Coast that are beloved by abalone divers, fishermen, kayakers and others.

The state Fish and Game Commission will study four proposals put forth this week by a blue ribbon task force that was convened as part of the Marine Life Protection Act.

Passed in 1999, the legislation envisions a network of protected marine areas from Mexico to Oregon. Based on recommendations from another task force, the commission last year established 29 reserves along 110 square miles of the Central Coast from Half Moon Bay to Santa Barbara."

More on this in future posts, but this weekend, we are going to get some abs.