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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-78 - Marine Life Protection ActRESOLUTION NO. 2004- 78 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH 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; and WHEREAS, only 3.5% (140 nautical square miles) of California state waters are set aside as genuine no -take marine reserves; and WHEREAS, 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 "; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, the California Department of Fish and Game has disbanded seven local working groups statewide. For the time being, the Department of Fish and Game will be focusing all resources on implementing the MLPA in the Central Coast region; Beach: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Newport 1. Endorses the implementation of the MLPA in Southern California 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. ADOPTED, this 24th day of August 2004. ATTEST: CITY CLERK 1 2 MAYO STATE OF CALIFORNIA } COUNTY OF ORANGE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH } I, LaVonne M. Harkless, Citv Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do hereby certify that the whole number of members of the Citv Council is seven; that the foregoing resolution, being Resolution No. 2004 -78 was duly and regularly introduced before and adopted by the Citv Council of said City at a regular meeting of said Council, duly and regularly held on the 24th day of August, 2004, and that the same was so passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit: Ayes: Heffernan, Rosansky, Adams, Bromberg, Webb, Nichols, Mayor Ridgeway Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of said City this 25th day of August, 2004. (Seal) City Clerk Newport Beach, California