COSTA MESA -- Sportfishing enthusiasts familiar with California’s Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) protected zone proposals came together at Glenn’s Tackle Shop to rally against the proposed closure of prime fishing spots in Southern California, Sept. 5.

More than 25 men, women and children filled the tackle shop’s parking lot, where they carried signs and unfurled banners notifying passersby that “extreme environmentalists want to take public access away for your ocean.” Signs were placed on the caravan’s three trailered boats.

Advocates and supporters of maintaining open fishing areas have been speaking out about plans for a network of controlled fishing areas along the coastline, designed to protect against the loss of habitat and species. The choices for Southern California have been narrowed to three marine protected area proposals, some more restrictive than others.

“Many fishermen don’t have any idea what’s going on, and then many think someone else will take care of it,” said Bobby Gowin, owner of Glenn’s Tackle Shop and the organizer of the convoy. “No one was doing anything for Orange County, so I stepped up and said, ‘I’ll do it.’”

Orange County fishing enthusiasts were among those in several cities who held rallies against the proposed regulations. San Diego and Los Angeles counties held similar rallies.

The convoys were held prior to the Sept. 9 and 10 MLPA meetings in Los Angeles, where the MLPA South Coast Regional Stakeholder Groups presented their proposals on the preferred alternatives.

In Orange County, one by one, the vehicles traveled south on Pacific Coast Highway, honking their horns and catching people’s attention. The convoy drove through Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Dana Point. Gowin and a few others spoke to those fishing on piers and jetties, informing them of the proposed closures. They also handed out fliers and spoke to people in the harbors.

“‘Mission accomplished’ to those we did speak to,” Gowin said.

Many sportfishing enthusiasts support of Proposal 2, which has the fewest closures when compared to proposals 1 and 3. Three groups have been 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.

The Blue Ribbon Task Force will make its final determination on the preferred blueprint at a meeting Oct. 20-22. The California Fish and Game Commission will vote on the closures on Dec. 10.

Proposals 1, 2 and 3 -- submitted by the three South Coast Regional Stakeholder groups -- can be viewed at www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa.

The public can comment on the proposals at the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force meeting on Oct. 21 at Hilton Long Beach & Executive Meeting Center, 701 West Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Comments can also be sent to MLPAcomments@resources.ca.gov or mailed to Marine Life Protection Act Initiative, c/o California Natural Resources Agency, 1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311, Sacramento, CA 95814; or via fax at (916) 653-8102.