Letter from Assemblymember Ted W. Lieu in Favor of MLPA Proposal #2

October 9, 2009

Dear Blue Ribbon Task Force Members:

I fully support the Marine Life Protection Act and the goals of improving our marine ecosystems statewide. I am writing to support Proposal 2 presented to you by the South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group in September, 2009. I am very concerned that Proposals 1 and 3 will have immediate and devastating impacts to our community.

More specifically, I request that the Blue Ribbon Task Force exclude the Rocky Point area of the Palos Verdes Peninsula from consideration for a Marine Life Protection Area for socioeconomic reasons.

According to the Recreation Marine Research Center at Michigan State University, the King Harbor Marina generates $46,755,000 in economic activity and many jobs within a 30 mile radius of King Harbor in Redondo Beach. It has been determined that fishing at Rocky Point is responsible for $17,317,000 of this economic activity.

In addition to economic loss, there will also be significant social and cultural impacts such as ending the at-risk youth fishing programs conducted at Rocky Point, which serves thousands of youth annually.

Also, according to the 2008 States of U.S. Fisheries report published by the National Marine Fisheries Service, there are no “overfished” species in the Southwest Region.

Furthermore, Santa Monica Bay from Rocky Point to Malibu is already closed to commercial net and trap fishing with 14 species regulated as to size, catch limits and seasonal taking in the Rocky Point area.

There is no scientific evidence suggesting a deteriorating ecological environment in the Rocky Point area, but significant anecdotal evidence that this area continues to rebound since the commercial fishing ban took effect.

There are adjacent areas that offer similar opportunities to enhance the marine environments without bringing devastating economic and cultural impacts to the local communities of the South Bay.

Please consider the socioeconomic impacts to our community, especially during this devastating recession, when choosing the array and recommendations the Task Force forwards to the Department of Fish and Game. This area is adjacent to the most densely populated area on the California coast and the most populous county in the country.

Proposal 2 allows continued recreational consumptive uses while creating a Marine Life Protection Area in the Point Vicente area.

Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, please contact me at (310)
615-3515.

Sincerely,

TED W. LIEU
Assemblymember, 53rd District