Size of Channel Islands No-Fishing Zones May Double
Under a plan unveiled by federal officials, about 20% of the waters around five islands off Ventura and Santa Barbara counties would be closed to fishing.
By Gary Polakovic, Times Staff Writer
August 12, 2006
Moving to ban fishing fleets from some of California's richest waters, federal authorities unveiled a plan Friday that would double the size of no-fishing zones around the Channel Islands to protect marine life and restore a depleted ocean. The proposal marks a major expansion of an existing network of marine protected areas and a recognition that closing large tracts of ocean to commercial and recreational fishermen may be necessary to help fish populations rebound.
Under the plan, about 20% of the waters surrounding five islands off Ventura and Santa Barbara counties would be closed to harvest. It doubles existing no-fishing zones to 309 square miles and sets aside an additional 12 square miles as a marine conservation area where fishing is sharply restricted. The reserves, under federal jurisdiction, would be established in deep water to complement the shallower refuges California created around the islands three years ago. The strategy ensures protection for a variety of species — including lobsters, rockfish, abalone and other creatures — that inhabit reefs, mudflats, kelp forests, sea grass beds and sandy bottoms.
"When you close areas, the data is clear that the fish and lobster are bigger and more abundant, there's a wider variety of species and kelp is richer," said Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Supt. Chris Mobley. "We hope these closures … produce more fish and larvae that spread beyond the closure areas and provide more sustainable and better fishing opportunities."
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