It was great to see the Malibu community actively engaged at a recent town hall meeting on marine protected areas. As a scientist, I believe establishing these protected areas is long overdue. Our oceans face many pressures, and coastal fish populations are in decline. As evident by other regions in California, local marine protected areas restore coastal ecosystems. Still, residents naturally have questions about what this means for Malibu.
I’m currently a member of a stakeholder panel deliberating on the best locations for protection. At the recent meeting, some residents raised concerns about access to favorite spots, such as Point Dume.
As a resident of Malibu and a surfer, I don’t want to see my favorite places completely shut down either. It needs to be clear that there has been no talk among the stakeholders or decision-makers about limiting or opening additional access to our local special places. This process addresses the pressures on habitats and marine life from fishing. It still allows for surfing, swimming, kayaking, tidepooling, and other ocean activities.
Many of us live in Malibu because of its rich coastal environment. Marine protected areas replenish fish populations by providing a safe haven to grow and breed. A successful plan will protect key locations, while leaving the majority of coastal waters open for fishing. In the long run, fishermen will benefit by catching more fish that spill out of protected areas, and the rest of us will enjoy a coast that teems with life. The time is now to protect our oceans.
Sarah Sikich