MPA Petitions Moving Through Regional Meetings

Marine Protected Area petitions are advancing through a series of regional meetings along the California coast, including the San Mateo to Monterey region on April 21. These meetings are part of the Fish and Game Commission’s ongoing process to review MPA petitions following the decadal review of the program.

Across the state, many petitions under consideration would expand MPA boundaries, change designations and create new closed zones that would restrict fishing activity in areas that are currently part of active commercial fisheries.

PCFFA has been engaged in this process and has submitted letters for the April 21st meeting as well as the 04/15 Commission meeting and the 04/14 Tribal Committee meeting outlining concerns with both the substance of the proposals and the structure of the petition process.

PCFFA Position:

• No expansion of fishing closures.

• Without a clearly defined problem, additional or expanded MPAs are not a solution.

• Decisions that impact commercial fishing must be based on science, evidence, and demonstrated need, not assumptions, precaution, or optics.