PR02: 549
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/23/2002
GOVERNOR DAVIS ANNOUNCES CREATION OF LARGEST
MARINE RESERVE ON WEST COAST 10/23/2002
Protected Waters around Channel Islands
Will Help Rebuild Fishery Stocks, Biodiversity
SANTA BARBARA
Governor Davis today applauded the vote by the
California Fish and Game Commission to formally create the largest network of
marine reserves off the West Coast. The decision sets aside 132 square nautical
miles (175 square miles) within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
into 12 separate areas where fishing is not allowed.
"Today's action will allow all Californians
to enjoy this diverse wildlife area, while restoring and preserving marine
populations for future generations," Gov. Davis said. "As Governor,
I've been pleased to provide record funding to purchase and preserve
environmentally-precious land. I'm delighted that today's vote advances our
goal of preserving California's natural resources for our children and our
children's children."
The creation of the marine reserves establishes
"safe zones" to reverse the alarming drop over the past decade in the
population of several marine species that were once plentiful off the
California coast. Examples of those depleted species include red snapper, angel
sharks, and abalone.
The plan for a network of reserves (also known
as Marine Protected Areas) was first proposed in 1998 by a group of
sportsfishermen. In response, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the
Sanctuary launched a process that drew upon a group of stakeholders (known as
the Marine Reserves Working Group) that developed a range of approaches to
address the problem.
The stakeholder group included representatives
from fishing groups, kelp harvesters, academia, environmental groups, and State
and federal government. An independent blue-ribbon panel of experts advised the
Working Group. Four large public forums were also held to receive public input.
More than 9,000 public comments were received; the majority supported a reserve
network in the Channel Islands.
The marine reserves extend around portions of
state waters surrounding the five islands that form the Channel Islands
National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Santa Barbara: Anacapa, Santa Cruz,
San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa Barbara Islands.
The alternative adopted by the Fish and Game
Commission also includes a recreational-only fishing zone off Santa Cruz Island
and an area with limited commercial and recreational fishing off Anacapa
Island.
The next phase of this project would expand the
network of reserves into federal waters - those lying beyond the three-mile
boundary of state water that encircle each island. The full system of marine
reserves would cover 322 nautical miles (426 square miles) and once adopted by
the federal government would make California the home of the largest network of
marine reserves in the continental United States.
California has a strong record in preserving its
environment. Through efforts from Gov. Davis, California has purchased or
preserved 6,200 acres of urban park land, 16,600 acres of San Francisco Bay
wetlands, and 7,500 acres of the "Headwaters" forest.