LOS ANGELES -- In a heated meeting Nov. 10 -- marked by an audience scuffle, in which an angler was forcibly removed by security -- members of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Blue Ribbon Task Force decided 5-0 to close prime fishing areas off Laguna Beach, La Jolla and Point Dume but allow fishing in other popular locations off Point Loma, Palos Verdes Peninsula and areas of Catalina Island.

Photo by: Bobby Gowin Controversial Process -- The entire MLPA process for determining no-fishing zones off the California coast has been long been mired in controversy, and it has been the subject of numerous angler rallies, such as this demonstration in Los Angeles in September.

The unanimous decision did not appear to be “clear cut” for task force members, as they asked many questions regarding the areas proposed for fishing closures, took public comment and watched as many in the audience decried proposed closures as unwarranted and unfair.

“We are here to talk about a preferred alternative,” said chairwomen Cathy Reheis-Boyd. “Everyone is not going to be happy with what we do, but it is the best that we could do.”

The panel backed option 2 for the San Diego region, which included agreeing to not create a protected area off Del Mar but voting to create a protected zone off south La Jolla, and discussed the closures of 9 square mile kelp beds off Encinitas.

In Los Angeles County, areas off the back side of Catalina Island would remain open to sportfishing for yellowtail and swordfish. The kelp forest and rocky reef habitats off Palos Verdes Peninsula would also remain open to anglers.

In Orange County, the panel recommended a ban on fishing along 6 miles of the Laguna Beach coastline. The decision also places restrictions on Bolsa Chica, placing a fishing ban on the site.

The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO), which represents California recreational fishing and boating interests, denounced the panel’s decision, arguing that it would have a devastating effect on the state’s economy and the public’s right to gain access to California’s coastal waters.

“By making this decision, the Blue Ribbon Task Force passed over the three proposals it earlier voted to send to the Fish and Game Commission that were created by 64 stakeholders, who worked 14 months to create these three proposals under an ever changing set of guidelines,” said Bob Fletcher, former president of the Sportfishing Association of California, a regional stakeholder group member and PSO member.

“Proposal 2 has a high conservation value that is relatively the same as other proposals but would have the least economic impact on southern California -- particularly San Diego, where fishing and boating is an integral component of the local economy,” Fletcher said. “The Blue Ribbon Tack Force chooses to ignore Proposal 2, in favor of its own version.”

For the past several months, rallies have been held throughout Southern California, where those in favor of retaining open-take areas joined together to show their support for Option 2, which has the fewest closures when compared to Proposals 1 and 3. Three groups were created to oversee specific elements of the act: the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force, the Science Advisory Team and the South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group.

“This is a dark day for California’s recreational anglers.” said Steve Fukuto, president of United Anglers of Southern California. “Most disappointing is the fact that anglers provide approximately $70 million each year to California for marine fisheries management, and countless hours of volunteer time to support fisheries in the state. For example, United Anglers of Southern California was instrumental in creating the white seabass hatchery program. No other user group even comes close to this level of investment -- and certainly not the people who support closing our state waters to California’s residents.”

The Blue Ribbon Task Force’s recommendation will be presented to the Fish and Game Commission on Dec. 9.