We Can Celebrate!

Laguna and the rest of the South Coast will see their new marine life protections go into effect on January 1, 2012. The Fish and Game Commission continue to show their commitment for our new marine reserves.

 

This decision comes at a critical time. Recent reports from the United Nations and NOAA highlight the urgency of ocean habitat protection, while pointing out the benefits of marine protected areas like the one Laguna is working to create.

 

The South Coast network was designed to protect sea life and habitats at special coastal areas like Laguna, south La Jolla, and Point Dume while leaving nearly 90 percent of the coast open for fishing.

 

The Bluebelt, local environmentalists and community groups are already working to complement state enforcement efforts. Residents and visitors are invited to participate in this exciting opportunity to restore our ocean. Join the Bluebelt and become part of this momentous effort.

 

The science is clear: marine protected areas work.

 

Marine protected areas allow fish, mammals, and other marine life a safe place to breed, feed, and succeed. Extensive scientific research demonstrates that MPAs can help bring back big fish and restore habitats — especially in highly protected marine reserves, where fishing is prohibited.

 

In a scientific survey of more than 100 marine reserves worldwide by the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO), scientists found:

 

446 percent average increase in biomass of animals and plants

166 percent average increase in number of plants or animals

1,000 percent increase in biomass and populations density of heavily fished species

 

Marine protected areas not only harbor more fish—they harbor older and bigger fish that can produce up to 200 times as many offspring as younger ones. These fish can, in turn, repopulate depleted species that migrate out to places where they can be caught.

 

 

Our thanks to Jim Patterson for the use of his gorgeous photograph on this Post.
© Jim Patterson Photography