- Joined
- Mar 11, 2001
- Messages
- 70,011
- Reaction score
- 1,003
News Release: For Immediate Release
May 22, 2003
DFG Implements Interim Policy for Marine Collecting in Pacific Grove Refuge
Contacts: Carrie Wilson, Associate Marine Biologist, (831) 649-7191; Fred Wendell, Nearshore Ecosystem Manager, (805) 772-1714; Paul Reilly, Senior Biologist, Marine Region, (831) 649-2879
Effective May 21, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will implement a policy that will offer increased protection for intertidal organisms within portions of the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Fish Refuge while allowing limited collecting for scientific, educational, and other authorized purposes in other parts of the refuge.
"This policy balances the legitimate needs of scientists, educators and other qualified persons with the need to conserve the state's public trust resources in a sensitive and heavily used marine area," said Fred Wendell, DFG's nearshore ecosystem manager.
Scientific collecting permits for the refuge are issued by DFG under the authority of the Fish and Game Commission. The policy will be implemented through existing Fish and Game regulations and, unlike previous permits, will specifically apply to the collection of marine organisms within the refuge.
Under this new policy, DFG will evaluate applications for scientific collecting permits on a case-by-case basis. Barring unusual circumstances, collecting in the refuge south of Point Pinos will not be allowed, but may be allowed to the north and east. This provides additional protection for the majority of tide pools within the refuge.
In response to local concerns over the general health of the rocky intertidal area, DFG temporarily ceased issuing new permits for collecting within the refuge in May 1999. The one exception to this moratorium was for the nonprofit Monterey Bay Aquarium, which voluntarily suspended its permitted collecting activities beginning in 2000. Also in 2000, with funding from the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation, Tenera Environmental Services was contracted to begin an independent study on the extent of human impacts on rocky intertidal areas within the refuge.
The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), which took effect in 1999, directed DFG to improve the design and management of marine protected areas like the refuge through a master planning process. As a result, seven regional working groups with broad stakeholder representation were formed, including one from the Monterey-Santa Cruz region.
In an effort to balance these interests, DFG will implement this new policy until such time as the MLPA process makes a recommendation to the Fish and Game Commission concerning the status of the refuge.
A map of the refuge is available from DFG biologist Paul Reilly at (831) 649-2879 or preilly@dfg.ca.gov.
May 22, 2003
DFG Implements Interim Policy for Marine Collecting in Pacific Grove Refuge
Contacts: Carrie Wilson, Associate Marine Biologist, (831) 649-7191; Fred Wendell, Nearshore Ecosystem Manager, (805) 772-1714; Paul Reilly, Senior Biologist, Marine Region, (831) 649-2879
Effective May 21, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will implement a policy that will offer increased protection for intertidal organisms within portions of the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Fish Refuge while allowing limited collecting for scientific, educational, and other authorized purposes in other parts of the refuge.
"This policy balances the legitimate needs of scientists, educators and other qualified persons with the need to conserve the state's public trust resources in a sensitive and heavily used marine area," said Fred Wendell, DFG's nearshore ecosystem manager.
Scientific collecting permits for the refuge are issued by DFG under the authority of the Fish and Game Commission. The policy will be implemented through existing Fish and Game regulations and, unlike previous permits, will specifically apply to the collection of marine organisms within the refuge.
Under this new policy, DFG will evaluate applications for scientific collecting permits on a case-by-case basis. Barring unusual circumstances, collecting in the refuge south of Point Pinos will not be allowed, but may be allowed to the north and east. This provides additional protection for the majority of tide pools within the refuge.
In response to local concerns over the general health of the rocky intertidal area, DFG temporarily ceased issuing new permits for collecting within the refuge in May 1999. The one exception to this moratorium was for the nonprofit Monterey Bay Aquarium, which voluntarily suspended its permitted collecting activities beginning in 2000. Also in 2000, with funding from the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation, Tenera Environmental Services was contracted to begin an independent study on the extent of human impacts on rocky intertidal areas within the refuge.
The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), which took effect in 1999, directed DFG to improve the design and management of marine protected areas like the refuge through a master planning process. As a result, seven regional working groups with broad stakeholder representation were formed, including one from the Monterey-Santa Cruz region.
In an effort to balance these interests, DFG will implement this new policy until such time as the MLPA process makes a recommendation to the Fish and Game Commission concerning the status of the refuge.
A map of the refuge is available from DFG biologist Paul Reilly at (831) 649-2879 or preilly@dfg.ca.gov.
