On the Line: California's MPA Network

School of Fish: Federal Fishery Management

MSA 101: Corey Ridings introduces us to the Magnuson Stevens Act, the primary law for managing fisheries in the United States. We discuss its history, purpose, and impact through the lens of Corey's role on the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The conversation delves into the complexities of fishery management, covering topics such as navigating fishery advisory bodies, the concept of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), and community involvement in fishery decision making. Learn more: Magnuson Stevens Act [https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/laws-policies] Pacific Fishery Management Council [https://www.pcouncil.org/] Council Roster [https://www.pcouncil.org/navigating-the-council/membership-groups-and-staff/council-members/]

On the Line: South Coast MPAs and Laguna Beach

What went into creating California's Network of Marine Protected Areas and what was it like to be a part of the process? Ray Hiemstra takes us through his experience from creation til now---the science, challenges and bargaining that formed our MPAs as we know them, on to this adaptive management process he's waited over 10 years for. This conversation sheds light on the stakeholder process that established the MPAs on the South Coast and lays out a current proposal to expand one of those MPAs off of Laguna Beach. Learn more: Orange County Coastkeeper [https://www.coastkeeper.org/] Support Laguna Beach SMCA expansion [https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-extend-the-laguna-beach-mpa-to-the-city-s-southern-border] Contact Orange County Public Works [https://pw.oc.gov/contact]

On the Line: California's MPA Network

There are many claims about what the science says about California's MPA Network. Dr. Kerry Nickols takes us through what we've learned from the first decade of this world-renowned Marine Protected Area Network, what we don't know, and how we should go forward. The conversation explores the role of MPAs in the context of climate change, the effectiveness of MPAs and the need for data to help decision-making. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities for enhancing the MPA network in California. Kerry's co-authored report on the California MPA Network [https://www.opc.ca.gov/webmaster/_media_library/2023/01/NCEAS_MPA_Report_Final.pdf] Meet Gordita [https://www.instagram.com/p/DRxgE-BEmBV/], Heal the Bay's resident giant black sea bass

On the Line: Pt. Sal

Pt. Sal is a beloved wild space for local community members and visitors alike, many of whom hike the 11-mile round-trip trail to the point and its beaches to gaze upon panoramic vistas, experience land and sea in its natural state, and fish from its undeveloped shores. The Point Sal State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) proposal is co-sponsored by the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, and seeks to enhance Tribal co-stewardship of our coastal waters. Veronica Mendoza helps us understand the significance and opportunity of protecting, and respecting, this special place. Support Pt. Sal SMCA [https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/1OjJ_ca41ROwQqTI29nugDScEnN7sfF-uejkg5psoXiE/viewform?edit_requested=true] Sign-up for MPA meetings [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJOUYzGItWHpsB48rI8QAVbouoBr1NtQxe_IoyqycfZVcAJw/viewform?usp=dialog] on May 5th and 6th About the Northern Chumash Tribal Council [https://northernchumash.org/]

On the Line: Duxbury Reef

Changes to Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area: There's a proposal to expand and strengthen the Marine Protected Area at Duxbury Reef in California. As with most conservation issues, the policy process gets complicated and confusing, making it difficult to understand what's actually being proposed and what the opportunities may be. Ashley Eagle-Gibbs helps us understand what's being proposed and what potential compromises can help protect this unique habitat and all the ways people like to enjoy the area. More information on the proposal: https://www.eacmarin.org/ [https://www.eacmarin.org/] Sea Sketch Mapping Tool: https://www.seasketch.org/california/app [https://www.seasketch.org/california/app] Sign-up to join the MPA meetings with Fish On: https://forms.gle/fgz2ipsSyRkbsBzi6 [https://forms.gle/fgz2ipsSyRkbsBzi6]