MARINE PROTECTED AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES

[Russell A. Jost]

If any of you guys-rec fishermen or commercial- think for one minute that our goverment, their appointees, and conservation groups, are not hard at work trying to create MPA's then you are mistaken. Check out the link that I have attached called "Marine Protected Areas of the United States" http://mpa.gov/mpafac/fac.html
One interesting document on this site is the mpa framework dated Sept. 2009. Would love to hear some responses.

[Fishypantsmagoo]

Interesting site.

Though I am against the designation of the full blown MPA's, such as in California. I do believe that MPA's can work, but not all areas need the total abolishment of all fishing pratices. Rod and Reel whether recreational or commerical does not in anyway have the same drastic impact on the marine evironment as a whole, that bottom trawling, mid-water pair trawling, longlining, and purse seinging do.

This committee and the other committees and departments, asssociated with it, must realize this. In order for them to make the sound decisions needed, information from both the science community and the fishing industry has to reviewed equally. Some areas of the oceans do need relief, that is obvious, but, as with each case a medical doctor takes, the remedy varies on the patient.

The biography section of the site does a good job of explaining the background of each committee member. Though we are the minority, we- the fishermen- are represented.

Thanks for providing the link Russel.

[BarryTurano]

Looked at the link. Could someone distill it down to something a little more brain friendly. Other than they are trying to prevent us from fishing. I started to read it and went into information overload and confusion. I will be more than happy to help if I knew what I needed to do, other than signing petitions and sending funds to organizations. Basically I don't understand "legalese". I need a translator

[Russell A. Jost]

Heres a link to a map of all MPA's in the US
http://mpa.gov/images/helpful_resour...erSitesMap.gif

[BarryTurano]

Heres a link to a map of all MPA's in the US
http://mpa.gov/images/helpful_resour...erSitesMap.gif

Thank you. So in other words what is in red is now protected. And they are going to propose that all of the other sites turn red?
BULLSH*T!!!!!!

[Russell A. Jost]

Thank you. So in other words what is in red is now protected. And they are going to propose that all of the other sites turn red?
BULLSH*T!!!!!!

Barry, not exactly. All colored areas are already MPA's. Red are federal MPA's, and yellow state MPA's.

Check out the attached link and go to page 14 and you will see the areas slated for future MPA's
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/defa...Task-Force.pdf

[BarryTurano]

So if I interpret this correctly we have a wall around the continent the EEZ. Are we not allowed to fish inside the EEZ? I was under the impression that the EEZ was to keep foreign trawlers 200 miles off shore. I thought that was the original purpose of Magnuson Stevens. Is it now morphing into this monster? I apologize for my ignorance. I never kept up with the politics of the situation. But now that I am a the end of my career. I will have a lot more time and would like to get more involved.

[whowantstoknow]

Official MPA's were established for the first time in 2000 and out of 5000 the united states has .8 of 1% of that 5000. The more and more research i do the bigger and bigger all of this gets - This would be one of the largest implementations on MPA's ever issued.

They say they have to give us proper notification and will take in to consideration all individuals effected by this proposed "spatial" plan, they will offer incentives and tax credits, etc for those effected in coastal industy, aquaculture, etc....but what kinda tax credit can you really offer a coastal town drivin by tournism with a 90% rate of individual (who live there all year) on welfare??

After reading transcript after transcript - i see there are few voices on our behalf - and many are barely even rememorable or heard over the extremist point of view (who by the way shown up in large numbers to support the plan) .... Im am cusious to see how this moves forward - There are multiple phases with full implementation (hoped for) by 2015...And to be honest with you i dont think there is not much more our industry can take - more regulations and seasonal shut downs (best case MPA scenerio) are not what we need right now....I urge everyone to read and get informed...research and dont just look at the surface - dont over react just be aware.

The temp shut down of sea bass hugely impacted our charter guys and put them out of work for over a month - perfect example......how many guys will buy boats, own boat, rent slips, buy new tackle if they can only now fish 4 out of the 7 months they could before?

Again i urge you not to just look on the surface...this will effect all of us - and even more so people like me who make a living off this industry - i just dont think the recreational voice is being heard or being takin in to consideration at all....and its a shame.

[whowantstoknow]

So if I interpret this correctly we have a wall around the continent the EEZ. Are we not allowed to fish inside the EEZ? I was under the impression that the EEZ was to keep foreign trawlers 200 miles off shore. I thought that was the original purpose of Magnuson Stevens. Is it now morphing into this monster? I apologize for my ignorance. I never kept up with the politics of the situation. But now that I am a the end of my career. I will have a lot more time and would like to get more involved.

These are the areas they would like to regulate and asses and creat in to MPA - specifically areas of high spawning, breeding, LARGE AREAS OF BAIT, FEEDING....they arent saying we cant fish.........yet......until we know what type of MPA they want and are planning to put in plce we can not be sure - but as i stated above - i dont think this industry can afford even temporary closures and shut downs........hope this helps

[whowantstoknow]

Interesting site.

Though I am against the designation of the full blown MPA's, such as in California. I do believe that MPA's can work, but not all areas need the total abolishment of all fishing pratices. Rod and Reel whether recreational or commerical does not in anyway have the same drastic impact on the marine evironment as a whole, that bottom trawling, mid-water pair trawling, longlining, and purse seinging do.

This committee and the other committees and departments, asssociated with it, must realize this. In order for them to make the sound decisions needed, information from both the science community and the fishing industry has to reviewed equally. Some areas of the oceans do need relief, that is obvious, but, as with each case a medical doctor takes, the remedy varies on the patient.

The biography section of the site does a good job of explaining the background of each committee member. Though we are the minority, we- the fishermen- are represented.

Thanks for providing the link Russel.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/defa...Transcript.pdf

this is the link to the transcript from the meeting up in your neck of the woods - there were a few voices on our behalf but not many.....i ecspecially like the comments/concerns by the individual on page 25......resident of cape cod....