The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO), a coalition representing nearly one million recreational anglers and boaters, would appreciate the opportunity to comment on the article, “Fishermen, Enviros Butt Heads Over MLPA Survey Results” by Melonie Magruder.
The PSO has been actively and constructively involved in the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) planning and implementation since early 2007.
Responsible recreational anglers and boaters are the original conservationists, which is why we support proposals for marine protected areas (MPAs) that show clear conservation merit while at the same time seeking to minimize the economic impacts they will impose.
The survey referenced in the article ignores the vast economic contribution made by California’s recreational anglers and boaters and the significant investments these two groups make to conserve the state’s fishery resources. Recreational fishing and boating contribute more than $2.2 billion annually to the state’s economy, including $160 million in state and local taxes while supporting nearly 20,000 jobs, including over 14,000 jobs in Southern California. In addition, the sport fishing industry and anglers invest more than $80 million a year directly to the state via a federal manufacturers excise tax on sport fishing equipment, the federal tax on motorboat fuel and California fishing license sales, all in the pursuit of conservation and sound fisheries management.
For these reasons, a prudent and responsible approach to establishing MPAs that would have the least economic impact on the state‘s economy is the right path to follow. Dr. Pendleton’s comment that “I can’t wait to see the parking lot at the end of Westward Beach fill up with people coming to see the marine reserve” is either naive or disingenuous at best. Contrary to what the article suggests, according to a recent article in Science magazine, California’s fisheries are flourishing.
The PSO’s goal is to continue to work within the MLPA process in order to preserve public access to our public oceans and to keep America fishing.
Patricia Doerr
Ocean Resource Policy Director
American Sport fishing Association