The Malibu Times office, city facilities closed Monday
The Malibu Times office will be closed Jan. 2 in observance of New Year’s Day.
Deadlines for submitting people, sports and calendar items will be early. For the Jan. 5 issue, submissions must be sent in by noon Fri., Dec. 30.
Additionally, Malibu City Hall and city parks and facilities will be open for shorter holiday hours.
Both Malibu City Hall and the Senior Center will close early, at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 30 and will be closed Jan. 2.
The Malibu Community Pool will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, and will open again Jan. 2 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Offices and facilities at Malibu Bluffs Park, Charmlee Wilderness Park and Trancas Canyon Park will also operate under certain restricted holiday hours. Visit www.malibucity.org for more information.
Planning commission seeks new member
The City of Malibu’s Planning Commission is looking to fill the seat vacated by Commissioner Lisa Toledo, who recently stepped down. Applications for the position are being accepted until Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Applications are available at City Hall or online at www.malibucity.org.
Completed applications can be turned in to Lisa Pope, city clerk, City of Malibu, 23825 Stuart Ranch Rd., by email to lpope@malibucity.org, or by fax to 310.456.2760.
Malibu MPA to be enforced Jan. 1
The stretch of Malibu coastline approved last December as a state-designated marine protected area (MPA) will begin to be enforced Jan. 1. The protected area stretches across Point Dume from El Matador State Beach to Paradise Cove. It was chosen as a site to protect fish populations from overfishing, and to guard a rare underwater canyon and kelp reef.
The Malibu MPA is divided into two separate areas with different regulations. From El Matador State Beach to the westernmost tip of Point Dume allows for limited fishing, while from Point Dume south to Paradise cove all fishing is prohibited.
Enforcement of the new MPA was originally scheduled to begin Oct. 1, but that was pushed back. All 50 of the MPAs approved last December will begin enforcement Jan. 1, according to a Dec. 16 press release from the California Department of Fish and Game.
“On Jan. 1, Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens will begin enforcing regulations in the MPAs,” the DFG press release states. “Wardens will take appropriate enforcement actions starting on that day which could include education, warning, citation or arrest depending on the violation.”
Fish species that may still be fished, beginning in January, include: northern anchovy, barracudas, billfishes (except that marlin is not allowed for commercial take), dolphinfish/Dorado, Pacific herring, jack mackerel, Pacific mackerel, salmon, Pacific sardine, blue shark, salmon shark, shortfin mako shark, thresher sharks, swordfish, tunas, and yellowtail. White Sea Bass and Pacific bonito may also be fished by spear fishing. Limited commercial fishing of coastal pelagic species, including squid, mackerel and anchovies, will also be permitted by round-haul net in the northern half. Round-haul fishing is a smaller operation than the purse-seine boats that frequently fish off Malibu in the winter months.
Final regulations and maps for all MPAs can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/scmpas_list.asp.
Orphaned mountain lion cubs found under car
Two mountain lion cubs were found under a car in Burbank Dec. 20 and later transported to the California Wildlife Center for medical treatment, Cindy Reyes, executive director of the wildlife center confirmed. After reaching stable condition, the cubs were transferred to Zoo to You in Paso Robles, where they will remain permanently.
The cubs were found in a residential area of Burbank and may have come down from a mountainous area near Verdugo Hills, Reyes said. The wildlife center suspects they wandered there in search of food after having been without their mother for a few weeks.
The three-month-old cubs “weighed 10 pounds each when they should have weighed at least 20,” Reyes said.
During their three days at the wildlife center, the cubs were treated for dehydration as well as internal and external parasites. While in stable condition, they will need several months of rehabilitated care, Reyes said.
While the center can’t be sure what caused the cubs to become separated from their mother, the mother’s death is the most likely cause. However, there have been no reports of a dead female mountain lion in the area where they were found. (see photo on the Photos page)
Caltrans crews clear roadway
Caltrans crews clear overgrown vegetation that was encroaching on the roadway along Pacific Coast Highway recently. After being contacted by concerned residents about the potential safety hazard, crews responded by removing overgrown brush along the highway. The clearing has provided enhanced visibility for drivers and cyclists.