VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE ECOTRUST SOUTH COAST MLPA SURVEY

[PAL]

I am new to kayak fishing and frankly, don't yet know where most of the best locations are. I would hate to think that my rookie status makes my desire to retain access less important.

Not at all Bob - your desire is every bit as important. And there's nothing keeping you from signing up, although as you say you don't know the best locations, maybe this is a time to give your survey spot to someone else. While there is no limit to the number of volunteers, the number of kayak anglers Ecotrust will survey will add up to 50 or 100 or so. That's not many to go on.

Experience and the skill it develops play more of a role on the waters accessed by a particular kayak angler than they do for boaters or shore and pier anglers. Many inexperineced kayak anglers stick to the bays or water in close proximity to launch sites until they gain confidence. As a matter of policy, the KFACA is committed to preserve the full spectrum of kayak fishing opportunities. Open ocean access is threatened much more so than sheltered water, hence the importance of motivating the most experienced among us.

I welcome further discussion of this issue.

Rather than making our coastal waters off limits to people like me and you, maybe we should do more to encourage catch and release practices for recreational fishers. If we need to limit the catch, put the breaks on commercial fishing in the endangered locations.

Bob, I think most of us feel that way. I do. However, the MLPA is not part of traditional fisheries management. It is a habitat protection plan, altogether separate, and something we must deal with as best we can. To me, that means participating in the process. If we walk away, we'll have our worst nightmares shoved down our throats.

BTW, you can be sure we're arguing the same points you bring up about a lighter footprint. You obviously care deeply; I hope we'll see you at a future workshop or meeting, giving polite but impassioned testimony.