MLPA Implementation-crucial info from our fearless Director of KFACA, Paul

Kayak fishing friends,
Here’s a big thank-you to all of those who will attend an MLPA public workshop this week. Please share this message with your friends who you’ve recruited to hit a workshop.
As a reminder, here are the venues. All of them are open 5:30 to 8:30; go any time within that period.
· Santa Barbara on Monday, June 23, 2008: Louise Lowry Davis Recreation Center, 1232 De La Vina St., 805-897-2568
· Oxnard on Tuesday, June 24, 2008: South Oxnard Center, 200 E. Bard Road (located next to the South Oxnard Branch Library), 805-385-8362
· Santa Monica on Wednesday, June 25, 2008: Ken Edwards Center, 1527 Fourth St., 310-458-8300.
Our collective goal is to keep kayak fishing awareness at a high level among MLPA staff, ensuring we get a seat at the stakeholder’s table. It’s critical if we are to have any say in the upcoming closure talks. We’ve done excellent work to this point; let’s sustain the effort.
In case you are unsure of what to do at the workshops, here are a few suggestions.
If there’s a sign-in sheet, please be sure to use it and put kayak fishing in there wherever it seems most appropriate. Consider listing the Kayak Fishing Association of California if there’s space for an affiliation or organization.
There are two very important MLPA staffers to look for. The first is Ken Wiseman, the Executive Director. The second is Melissa Miller-Henson, the Program Manager. Please be especially courteous and positive as you educate them on the importance of kayak fishing in Southern California. Here are some “Talking Points” to start with. If you think of others, please share them with the group.
CONSERVATION: Kayak fishing is low-impact fishing. We care about the health of the resource. We’re right there at water level; muscles are our motors. A high proportion of us are careful catch and release anglers. Keeping us on kayaks is good for the resource, just as it is healthy outdoor exercise for us.
SAFETY: Kayak anglers are limited to where we can get on the water safely. We require friendly surf, current, wind, swell, etc. Good launch sites are in short supply. We have limited range. Closing popular launch sites may cause kayak anglers to range farther afield, increasing exposure to hazards. Poorly sited MPAs may indirectly cause injury by forcing kayak anglers into less than ideal launch sites.
CULTURAL: Southern California is the birthplace of modern kayak fishing, the epicenter of the sport. The roots grow deep at Malibu, Dana Pt, La Jolla (Santa Barbara?). There’s history here, going back into the 1980s at a minimum.
NUMBERS: There are a heck of a lot of us, and our ranks are still growing fast. We’re part of the recreational fishing mainstream – but unique. We need our own representation on the Regional Stakeholder’s Group – other recreational sectors don’t understand the factors that limit our ocean access. Because we are no longer a tiny fringe element, there will be real economic impact if we are knocked from the water.
WORK: We’re committed to participating in the public process. Reminder – the MLPA staff are true believers in what they are doing. Please don’t needlessly insult them or the process, but do speak your mind and express your concerns in a positive, problem-solving light. Give them credit for their public accessibility – they are making it easy for the public to communicate with them.
These are just starting points. Be confident and friendly – if your passion for the sport comes through, you’ve done terrific work.
San Diego and Orange County come up in early July. Some locations may have changed. Here they are:
Huntington Beach on Tuesday, July 8, 2008: Huntington Beach Harbor View Club House, 16600 Saybrook Lane, 714-536-5486
Carlsbad on Wednesday, July 9: Hilton Garden Inn, 6450 Carlsbad Boulevard, 760-476-0800
San Diego on Thursday, July 10: Holiday Inn Express Old Town, 3900 Old Town Avenue, 619-299-7400.
Thanks again, and please share a report if you make it to a meeting.
Paul

I neglected to mention an important point.
The MLPA staffers who will be at the workshops run the day to day operations. They don’t decide what gets closed, but they do influence who gets to participate in the process. Lobby them for a spot on the Regional Stakeholder’s Group. Please don’t devote much time to arguing to keep this or that particular spot open – it’s not up to them. Focus more on the generalities. Now, questions concerning HOW the MLPA works, those are a different story. Fire away.
Thanks again,
Paul