Last Wednesday was a historic day for Malibu. The Fish and Game Commission gave a holiday gift to the ocean by adopting a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) for southern California. The many residents involved can take pride in their support of this process and resulting underwater parks around Point Dume.
As a Malibu resident and ocean enthusiast, I spend much of my time surfing, kayaking or running on the beach. Our coast is unique, and ecologically and economically important. Setting aside parts of the ocean where marine life and habitats can recover will pay dividends in the future. The compromise plan adopted last week still leaves several popular spots in Malibu open to fishing.
As a marine scientist, I know that MPAs work. I have seen first-hand the benefits of MPAs. Diving in and around the protected areas on Anacapa Island reveals stark differences; inside the protected areas there are dense kelp forests, fish larger than those seen elsewhere in southern California, and a diversity of marine life, while just outside there are barren areas and smaller fish. Scientific studies confirm these observations: fish are bigger and more abundant in the MPAs established over five years ago around the Channel Islands, and the local sportfishing industry is thriving. I’m excited about the benefits to our coast.
I realize that there are differing viewpoints within the community, and that change can be unsettling, but MPAs have worked elsewhere, and will work in Malibu as well. I look forward, both personally and professionally, to working with community members to educate beachgoers, ocean users and interested people about our newly minted MPAs.
Sarah Sikich
Coastal Resources Director
Heal the Bay