Jeff Crumley

The Marine Life Protection Act was designed to act as conservation tool to protect marine ecosystems.

Instead, it has become a tool for progressive preservationists. Special interest groups, funded by big private corporate foundations have seized on the opportunity to advance the agenda for their ideals.
In a published scientific paper, three things were cited as the main issues for dealing with ecosystems and species management…Human take, Marine Mammal take, Water Quality. The current flavor of the MLPA process has evolved into a bashing of any fishing activities, blaming fishing totally, for any perceived decline.

Are you aware the Blue Ribbon Task Force, that Gov. Schwarzenegger assigned to “fast-track” the MLPA, is of “PRIVATE” peoples? The MLPA implementation is being paid for by private, progressive corporate environmental, NON-governmental foundations. There is a facade of a diplomatic, democratic approach to the decision making process…leading one to believe that the citizens of the state are involved in the process.We are NOT!

It seems the Greenpeace corp. has shown that green is big business…and VERY profitable. Lies, cons and greed…the years of not producing results(and telling lies that they have) are coming full circle. The truth has now become public. Greedy profiteers secrets are now out in the open for all to see.

In this video, Vern Goehring, Representative of the California Fisheries Coalition and Executive Director of the California Sea Urchin Comm., explains very simply to the Dept. of Fish & Game the lack of full oversight in the MLPA implementation. Yet, they do not listen.

This hits the nail right on the head !

The debate over implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act of 1999 (MLPA) and Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) has become the hot marine resource debate of the year. It seems for the past few years, each year there is a new crisis of one sort or another heaped on commercial and recreational fishermen Meeting after meeting after meeting must be attended, all over the state. And even thought the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) knows what days they allow fishermen to fish, meetings always seem to be scheduled for those few work days. It’s amazing how often this happens.

Each year, new laws are imposed, yet, time isn’t given to see how they work, before the next new law is introduced.

The State of California has approximately 90 marine parks, reserves, preserves, etc. Most have been around for decades. At Pismo Beach, for example, we have had an Invertebrate Reserve since 1977 and a Pismo Clam Preserve since 1985. DFG established these next to areas open to clam fishing to measure human use versus sea otter predation. Locals and DFG know the results: sea otters have eliminated most legal clams in both areas. While this result remains a subject of debate, DFG has published these findings by several scientists.

In the rush to impose even more restrictions on commercial and recreational fishermen, DFG, environmentalists, politicians and others seem to ignore two even larger impacts on coastal fish: pollution and marine mammals.

Commercial fisherman Tom Capen raised these issues with DFG marine biologist, John Ugoretz in Morro Bay July 17th. Mr. Ugoretz responded by explaining that DFG had no jurisdiction over water quality (pollution) and that marine mammals were protected by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and so DFG had no authority there either. No, but what they can do is regulate fishermen.

To me, restricting sewage disposal, dog and pet waste, urban run-off, etc. would do far more to protect the nearshore marine environment. My marine reserve would run along the coast for miles and extend inland, not out to sea.

As for marine mammals, one species, California sea lions are now thought to be above historic numbers. There are probably more California sea lions now than 500 years ago. The lack of mainland predators– grizzly bears and wolves– has allowed sea lions to occupy habitat not formerly used. And, there are five other species of seals and sea lions common to California.

In 1995, DFG estimated the California sea lion population at 186,000 and consumption at 500,000 tons (1.billion lbs.) annually of squid, salmon, anchovy, rockfish and flatfish. Commercial fishing for these species in 1995 totaled 281.million pounds or 28% of California sea lion consumption. Yet, the MLPA does not address marine mammals, it only targets humans use fisheries when it can be demonstrated humans take less than some marine mammals.

If these laws are truly to address suspected declines in fish stocks, they must be holistic, meaning they address all sources of fish mortality. Unfortunately, the current examples of good intentions and wishful thinking by politicians will predictably continue to fail, just like the Pismo clam preserve failed.

Stop the MLPA Initiative! Join the Public Ocean Access Network‏
by Dan Bacher
Wednesday Dec 23rd, 2009 6:19 PM
Responding to a need for a statewide organization to expose and oppose privatization of California public fisheries management, while at the same time supporting the work of seafood providers in the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative process, this is a call to organize from John and Barbara Stephens-Lewallen of the Public Ocean Access Network:
Stop the MLPAI! Public Ocean Access Network‏
From: john lewallen (oceannetwork [at] mcn.org)

Dear friend,

Responding to a need for a statewide organization to expose and oppose privatization of California public fisheries management, while at the same time supporting the work of seafood providers in the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative process, this is a call to organize!

In consultation with seafood providers, we invite people to join the Public Ocean Access Network , a network of individuals and Independent Groups with no officers, committed to stopping the MLPAI and ending privatization of California fisheries management, using legal and nonviolent means.

Public Ocean Access Network

Network Goals: Stop the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative Now!
Expose and Oppose Privatization of California Resource Management!

Group Structure: Individuals and Independent Groups of like-minded friends who support the goals of the Network, and whose members commit to working both legally and nonviolently when acting as members of the Public Ocean Access Network.

Network members are free to make statements, testify, demonstrate, etc. without Network group approval. The Public Ocean Access Network has no officers. Network group statements and activities will be approved by Network consensus. The Network may form a Spokescouncil of individuals and Independent Group spokespeople, to share ideas/information and make Network decisions.

Group Commitment to Legal and Nonviolent Means:

Commitment to Legal Actions: Following the law, we expose and oppose the illegality of the MLPAI.

Nonviolence Commitment–to do no damage to people or property, to strive for nonviolence in word and deed–is a fundamental commitment of all members acting as part of the Public Ocean Access Network.

We stand against the violence of the MLPAI, violence to community interests, democratic principles, and scientific knowledge.

Immediate Public Ocean Access Network tasks:

Take a clear public stand: Stop the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative; End privatization of California resource management!

Mobilize presence at key hearings, both in the streets and the speakers line.

Investigate, research, and undertake public information campaigns until all Californians know the truth about the MLPAI and resource management privatization.

To join the Public Ocean Access Network: if you like the Goals and Means of the Network, just get to work!

Barbara and John Stephens-Lewallen, Mendocino Sea Vegetable Company, will facilitate initial Network setup and communication. To announce your membership in the Public Ocean Fisheries Network, or to get Network messages, contact: oceannetwork [at] mcn.org.

Stop the MLPAI!

A very short time ago I was frustrated and confused due to my own ignorance. I have been allowed the tools and the time to educate myself on the things that concerned me. Being somewhat pragmatic and using a God gifted common sense, I’ve found a passion for reading between the lines and assembling incomplete facts. In addition, doing this by myself has allowed a kind of purity…not influenced by anyones personal agendas.

The thing that strikes me most is the incessant drive to prove that just any one ideal is the right one and the only one. Draconian management proposed by corporate environmentalists that have infiltrated the democratic process and are trying to remove your power as a people. There is no common ground! There is only a no mans land dividing two opposing points of view. Does this sound familiar?…it should, it’s only been the demise of every dispute known to man.

It is just the old carrot on a stick…diversion. It’s the oldest trick in the book and it works every time!
Remember what agent K said…” a person is smart, people are stupid.” It is simple mob mentality being used against the masses.

Man is loosing his edge…he has become lazy and complacent in the new age of technology. He doesn’t have to hunt, make fire and shelter every day. We are insulated from the survival requirements once needed for everyday life. We entrust our leaders emphatically, not questioning that they are acting in the best interest of all. Well, guess what…the evil of greed and the hunger for power has not gone away. What is more…we are smarter and can see it much better, yet we still give it power.

We, as Americans, need to stop this in it’s tracks. Just like the regulations that govern conflict of interest, we need to demand a control of ANY special interest trying to influence an outcome.
End opinion…and make decisions based of facts and not under the influence of reward.
This needs to be treated just like a jury in a courtroom. No bias…just the facts ma’am.
Our politicians and decision makers are ALL influenced by and using their own personal interests…
This is just damn illegal !!!

Gore says green is good…and it is!!!
The only green he utilizes is the green in his wallet.

Gore Green

How much money is spent on California and US waterways that could be spent on say…helping out of work Americans?
Did you know that Sea Otters,(that are NOT endangered), just got a $ 25,000,000 bill approved for MORE studies. Right now, we are forcing litigation to stop the lie about Sea Otters. Sea Otters NEVER were endangered! They were listed under “threatened,” the threat coming from the possibility of an oil spill that could threaten their habitat. They were NEVER in any danger of becoming scarce.
THIS IS A MYTH!!!
Sea Otters are doing too well in fact. They have passed the required number of animals allowed to have a sustainable food supply. It is a DOCUMENTED FACT that Sea Otters are starving themselves, due to OVERPOPULATION!!! Just like the Wolves in Yellowstone Park. The US Fish and Wildlife Service still created a new law to allow more Otters…Why? It is a documented FACT that Otters have eaten ALL of the abalone,scallops,clams that are in their “Otter Range.”

The Big Green Machines poster child isn’t the harmless fuzzy little creature they want you to believe, and the truth and the proof of this is now available to the public.

Well the good news is..the White House Office of Science and Technology has announced the new policy to make available the scientific research funded by the Fed. This would mean that you and I could go on the internet and read scientific research results, then watch the peer reviews of this research. This would prompt the private research community to the obligatory transparency required to meet the needs of data to determine any decisions being made in the MLPA process. Full disclosure?…Transparency? Well, maybe.

The bad news is…the back door of the White House is busy with the traffic of Obamas “special appointees” to widen the control of the federal government. Obama has set up EVERY drop of water in this country to be under federal jurisdiction. Do you know how many different entities of government, state and federal, that control the same drop of water? Redundant is an understatement!!!

This is a typical far left Democratic agenda of taking away control from states and building federal control.
There is already too many redundant controls. Occams Razor would apply well right now!!!

Your rights are being taken away every day.
The latest news is that of Senator Steinberg “appointing” the newest member of the California Coastal Commission…An attorney and city council member of Santa Monica, Richard Bloom. Bloom identifies himself with Santa Monica Bay Keepers, a well known propaganda tool for the corporate environmental community. Steinberg himself is the instrumental tool in hacking into the government of California. Force feeding you the private control of your state.
What happened to California Voters Rights? Why isn’t the appointment of civil jobs on the ballots? Yes…civil job!
Sen. Steinberg squashed the investigation of private money financing the MLPA that Gov. Schwarzenegger allowed. Schwarzenegger belongs back on Venice Beach flexing his muscles, just another tool!!!
The dictatorship of California is not the government of the people. It is the mountain of money behind the Big Green Machine. It functions on a state level and a federal level. On our state level the Packard, Moore, Resources Legacy Fund and The Nature Conservancy foundations run the show. And they are doing it without your consent! What’s more…they are telling you that is for another reason all together.
These people of power are making your decisions for you.They do not ask your opinion and they tell you what’s happening after the fact.

Well, I know this is happening in California in regards to the government,universities,corporations,foundations,non-governmental organizations…this is the
“Big Green Machine”…

Well, I know this is happening in California in regards to the government,universities,corporations,foundations,non-governmental organizations…this is the
“Big Green Machine”…