Marine reserves protect sea life, may restrict diving

The California Department of Fish and Game is now establishing a series of new marine protected areas. These actions are required by 1999 California Aseembly Bill 993, the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). There are 3 classification of Marine Protected Areas:

State Marine Reserve

Access and use (such as walking, swimming, boating and diving) may be restricted and no commercial or recreational take will be allowed.

State Marine Park

Access is allowed but may be restricted and no commercial take will be allowed. Recreational take for specific species will be allowed but may be restricted.

State Marine Conservation Area

Access is allowed. Certain commercial and recreational take will be allowed.

There are quite a few protected areas which are being suggested, including the following.

Van Damme State Park would increase its protected area, which includes the cove. Commercial fishing would be prohibited. Recreational fishing would be permitted for species which are allowed in state parks. Currently, commericial fishing is allowed in the Van Damme cove. In recent years, the nearshore fish populations have sharply declined.

Salt Point would add South Gerstle Cove to its reserve, where any taking of game is prohibited.

Fort Ross State Marine Reserve would prohibit all taking of game.

In many cases, games has significantly decreased in the last 20 years. On the other hand, a very large number of traditional safe, accessible access points would no longer allow game taking. The Central California Diving Council (CenCal) suggests that some of the sites be reconsidered so that safe recreational game taking is allowing, while still protecting marine species.