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Home My WebLink AboutSS3 - Marine Life Protection ActCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Dave Kiff, Assistant City Manager DATE: August 6, 2004 RE: Study Session Agenda Item # ss3 Presentation on the Marine Life Protection Act This Study Session item comes to us because Surfrider National has asked us to consider a resolution in support of the state's pending implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). Surfrider has been concerned that the Act, after it has undergone extensive public review and hearings, has been put on hold by the State. I have attached a draft resolution that they have asked us to consider, though not at the August 10th meeting. Council members will want to ask Surfrider representatives how the MLPA may interact with Governor Schwarzenegger's new policy document called: California Ocean Resources Management: A Strategy for Action. Nancy Hastings and Nancy Gardner of Surfrider will be making the presentation to us on Tuesday. City Hall • 3300 Newport Boulevard • Post Office Box 1 768 • Newport Beach, California 92659- 1768 DRAFT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARINE LIFE PROTECTION ACT (MLPA) WHEREAS; • There is increasing evidence that ocean ecosystems are being adversely altered by a combination of human activities, including fishing, pollution, and coastal development; • Only 3.5% (140nmi2) of California state waters are set aside as genuine no -take marine reserves; • Many of the existing marine reserves in California were designated without the benefit of scientific guidelines and were not designed to maximize the benefit of a comprehensive "network'; • There is strong scientific evidence that marine reserves restore and protect the natural diversity and abundance of marine life, and the structure, function and integrity of marine ecosystems; • Marine reserves and water quality protection areas recognize the inherent value of relatively undisturbed marine ecosystems and provide the public incomparable opportunities for non - consumptive recreation, education and scientific study; • Marine protected areas, including marine reserves and water quality protection areas, are important tools in improving fishery management by, among other things: serving as a baseline and control site for population assessments and naturally functioning ecosystems, resolving user conflicts, providing insurance for management errors, and possibly shortening the rebuilding period for overfished species; The California Department of Fish and Game has announced that the MLPA process is on "indefinite hold" and has disbanded seven local working groups of scientists, environmentalists; fishing industry representatives and others because the state currently lacks the funding to finish this process by a Jan. 1, 2005, deadline; THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: 1. That the foregoing is true, correct and adopted. 2. That the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California endorses the implementation of the MLPA as soon as possible and will support creative implementation processes that include input from the science community and every interested stakeholder group, including commercial and recreational fishing interests 3. That the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California urges the Department of Fish & Game to implement the Marine Life Protection Act and Marine Managed Area Improvement Act to better protect the natural diversity and abundance of marine life, and the structure, function and integrity of marine ecosystems in California. 4. That the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California directs the City Clerk to distribute copies of this resolution to the Fish & Game Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Parks and Recreation Commission, Governor Schwarzenegger, and to the City's representatives in the State Assembly and Senate. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, held on the _ day of , 2004. CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA ATTEST: Mayor City Clerk Nancy Hastings Southern California Field Coordinator Sui frider Foundation Request for a resolution from the Newport Beach City Council to support implementation of The Marine Life Protection Act ASS 3 - 3I10 H MARINE LIFE PROTECTION ACT Mandates a redesign of California's MPA system to improve the protection of marine life, habitat, and ecosystems. MPAs must be designed and managed as a "network." MARINE MANAGED AREAS IMPROVEMENT ACT • Condense the existing classification system of Marine Managed Areas down to 6 categories: Water Quality Protection Area, Recreational Mgmt Area, Cultural Area, Reserve, Conservation Area, Park z I . To protect the natural diversity and abundance of marine life, and the structure, function and integrity of marine ecosystems. 2. To improve the recreational, educational and research opportunities provided by areas that are subject to minimal human disturbances. 3. To help sustain, conserve, and protect marine life populations, including those of economic value, and rebuild those that are depleted. 4. Protection of marine natural heritage for its intrinsic value. WHAT IS A MARINE PROTECTED AREA? • The Term "Marine Protected Area" has been used for over 2 decades (with varying definitions). • The Concept of Marine Protected Areas has been around for centuries. • (Executive Order 13158) defines an MPA as... "Any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by Federal, State, territorial, tribal, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein." 3 Habitoll Dcsu'ucdm' Fishing . .......... . ... m pO�ution: Poroic Ures• ft, U;,;, _Ka W., -S C AK(, m.C. � W La1Lr Or We: 01.1, N,m- Reserve Reserve il.Ji:i • IHLtn Iwi • l•hcrc are over 2000 MPAs around the world • "No- Take" Marine Reserves encompass >I % of the world's oceans and >0.01 % of US waters. • 62 MPAs in California (4.9% state waters) • 19 Marine Reserves in CA (3.5% state waters) • Beyond the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary - there are 10 no -take reserves - King Range, Bodega, Hopkins, Point Lobos, Big Creek, Vandenberg, Anacapa, Catalina, Big Sycamore, Heisler Park 5 A. M¢C kt Mann¢ 1. R". NIP,) I.equro9¢arn Meme' Yn'ektuary Enpm.y � L'On Deluge i196R'I 0..¢m.(.BI311 ASB: rp'p'.� / \ Swrn lnPr ^a 6eacn Merle Iun Rnrrgrlts6al • / 1FW.ni k...�'. .Ypuel vblrm Ilk Refgr::9)i) ZJ\ M¢mP WM¢ �• _ ~ lM P^4YIta69r .F Veti. r!tp Present Area of Marine Reserves in CA= 3.5% There are ve7y few places for scientists to study undisturbed marine ecosystems in CA waters no MPAs as a Conservation Tool Scientific consensus — Increased size of individuals — Increased population density — Greater biodiversity — Preservation of ecosystem integrity Additional benefits — Spillover of adults and juveniles — Export of Eggs & Larvae — Relatively undisturbed areas for research (e.g., baseline) — Increased educational and recreational opportunities Marine Reserves Increase Fish Biomass Around the wolid. marine reserve= nave tlempnstrxted me ab&ty to ,nncafie fish bium, ss msmu their batlers. tin, numL +eS on fl;e map bmuw represem the e:a{ 1;.� WV X f ��...1rWk�� . �l a. � "r• eL: '1 ` ••L'• ' � JF rf~ ............. •m 1. n, • Master Plan Team - top -down approach with limited input from the public — Draft maps were controversial — Resulted in negative response overall • Regional working groups — Made up of a broad group of stakeholders — Had momentum until 2003 — Lack of resources - DF &G 8 • Renewed effort to implement the MLPA on a regional basis - starting with the Central Coast only. • Remaining Regions 2006-2011 • Clear, clean, healthy, beautiful water. • More abundant marine life - both plants and animals. • Increased diversity of plants and animals. • Larger individuals within species. • In short: Healthy, relatively undisturbed marine ecosystems -- with greater research, recreational and educational opportunities. 9 10