California is in the process of creating a Marine Protected Area along the southern coast region from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border. At the October 12 Dana Point City Council meeting, Dana Point will consider three proposals which have been brought forth. The proposals were created by a stakeholder group made up of members of Newport Beach and San Clemente City Council, Laguna Beach city staff, a local commercial fisherman from Dana Point, a commercial passenger fishing vessel captain from Newport Beach, a member of OC Coast Keepers, among others.
On Tuesday, three proposals will be considered. Compromise Proposal 1 has a State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) for Dana Point running from the jetty to Aliso Creek in Laguna Beach. The recreational catch of all species except California Sheepshead will be allowed in the area. The commercial taking of lobster, sea urchin and squid would be allowed. Fishing Interest Proposal 2 has a SMCA for Dana Point starting at the jetty and running to approximately Victoria Street in Laguna Beach. All species could be taken with the exception for a few tide pool creatures. Conservation Proposal 3 has the SMCA for Dana Point beginning at the jetty and going north to the border between Dana Point and Laguna Beach. The recreational catch of all species except California Sheepshead, rockfish, sharks, and rays would be allowed, as would the commercial take of lobster and urchin.
These proposals have impacts outside the boundaries of any SMCA and are part of a larger effort by the Department of Fish and Game to create the Orange County Marine Protected Area as part of a larger protected area.
The staff reports from Dana Point City Council are available here. Download 13. MLPA Brief Agenda Report
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