Council Asked to Put Brakes on Endorsement of Marine Reserves

BY BILL KOENEKER

Former Councilmember Ken Kearsley, a member of Save Our Coast, which had sought unsuccessfully years ago to create a state- sanctioned sanctuary in Malibu, and who is on one of the committees involved in implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act, came to Malibu City Council chambers recently to ask members to put on the brakes for a resolution supporting a marine reserve for all of Malibu. The state adopted the act to provide protection for marine life and marine ecosystems by utilizing some forms of protection of various marine habitats.Kearsley cautioned that all of the coastline of Malibu could become a no-take zone, meaning no sport fishing or surf fishing would be allowed.Kearsley said it is important for everybody to wait for the science report to come back before endorsements are made.“We have no dog in this fight. But we have citizens who like to fish and visitors who use the pier,” he said, warning the council would be endorsing a marine reserve for all of Malibu if it adopted the resolution in front of them.“What you are saying is a no-take. It is premature. Wait for the science,” he added.Councilmember Sharon Barvosky said she would hate to see no fishing off the pier.Kearsley said the council could exercise flexibility by calling for marine protected areas. The council concurred.The resolution before the council “urges the use of fully protected marine reserves to the fullest extent practical to ensure the health of California’s marine resources for future generations.”A representative from Heal the Bay took no exception to Kearsley’s comments, saying it was OK to do so until the commissioned report about California waters is returned.The MLPA will continue its public process to complete recommendations for a statewide network of marine protected areas. The task force is charged with developing recommendations for marine protected areas in the south coast, as well as identifying ways to improve state and federal coordination.The MLPA, enacted in 1999, directs the state to design and manage a system of MPAs in order to protect marine life and habitats and ecosystems as well as improve recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems. MPAs are discrete geographic marine or estuarine areas designed to protect or conserve marine life and habitat, according to the state Department of Fish and Game.