California to Restrict Ocean Fishing

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2006/nov/19/111909535.html

MONTEREY, Calif. (AP) - Flying over California's rugged Central Coast, Mike Sutton pointed to kelp forests and rocky reefs just below the water's surface that will soon be off-limits to fishing under one of the nation's most ambitious plans to protect marine life.

"We're trying to make sure our oceans are protected as our land," said Sutton, a marine expert at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Despite intense opposition from many fishermen, California wildlife regulators are creating the nation's most extensive network of "marine protected areas" - stretches of ocean where fishing will be banned or severely restricted.

The first chain of refuges, covering some 200 square miles and stretching from Santa Barbara to Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, is due to take effect early next year. The state plans similar protected zones along the more intensely fished coasts of northern and southern California.

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[brook]

1. This has put

the last nail in our town's fishing industry. We're left with a single economy - tourism. I like people as much as the next guy - but having your town invaded every weekend gets old. And, of course, they come to see "the quaint old fishing village" which now features "quaint" McMansions and SUV's. ooooy!