HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-39 Unified marine Protected Area ArrayRESOLUTION NO. 2010- 39
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH ENDORSING THE
UNIFIED MARINE PROTECTED AREA ARRAY
WHEREAS, the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) calls for the
reexamination and redesign of California's Marine Protected Area (MPA) system to
increase its coherence and effectiveness at protecting the state's marine life, habitat, and
ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, it is consistent with the MLPA and good public policy to redesign
California's MPA system in a manner that gives meaningful consideration to the
sustainability of ecological, economic, cultural, and social systems; and
WHEREAS, North Coast fisheries are currently sustainable or rebuilding under
existing regulations'; and
WHEREAS, recent scientific research has demonstrated that the California Current
Ecosystem is one of the most conservatively managed ecosystems in the world 2; and
WHEREAS, Mendocino County, Humboldt County and Del Norte County are
classified as vulnerable to changes in fisheries management measures3 due to factors such
as high economic dependence on fishing, high community isolation, limited industry
diversification, high unemployment, and high poverty rates; and
WHEREAS, the MLPA Initiative Regional Stakeholder Group unified during Round
Three of the MLPA Initiative process to develop a consensus based MPA array (Unified
MPA Array) that meets the goals of the MLPA while minimizing impacts to social, cultural,
and economic systems; and
WHEREAS, we recognize that, due to significantly distinct ecological, social,
cultural and economic conditions in the North Coast, the Unified MPA Array does not
precisely meet all the guidelines established by the MLPA Initiative Science Advisory
Team, yet represents an MPA network consistent with the spirit of those guidelines and the
goals and elements identified in the MLPA legislation; and
WHEREAS, the long term success of MPAs will require acceptance by local
communities; and although many community members do not believe any new MPAs are
warranted, the Unified MPA Array represents a compromise acceptable to North Coast
residents, including recreational fishermen, commercial fishermen and conservation
advocates; and
WHEREAS, California Indian Tribes and Tribal Communities are traditional and
active stewards of marine ecosystems, and their continued gathering and use of marine
resources is an ongoing and essential part of their culture and survival.
' National Marine Fisheries Service. 2009. Our living oceans: report on the status of U.S. living marine
resources, 6`" edition. U.S. Dep. Commerce, NOAA Technical Memo. NMFS-F/SPO-80.
2 Worm et al. 2009. Rebuilding Global Fisheries. Science 325: 578-585.
3 Pacific Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service. 2006. Proposed acceptable
biological catch and optimum yield specifications and management measures for the 2007-2008 Pacific coast
groundfish fishery, and Amendment 16-4: rebuilding plans for seven depleted Pacific coast groundfish species;
final environmental impact statement including regulatory impact review and initial regulatory flexibility
analysis. Pacific Fishery Management Council, Portland, Oregon, 2006.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Ukiah that we strongly
urge the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative Blue Ribbon Task Force and the California
Fish and Game Commission to support and adopt the Unified MPA Array developed by
the Regional Stakeholder Group during Round 3 of the North Coast MLPA Initiative
process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT if the Blue Ribbon Task Force makes the
decision to redesign the Unified MPA Array contrary to the recommendation of the City
of Ukiah, then the redesign must be conducted in collaboration with North Coast
Regional Stakeholders. Regional Stakeholders have worked for months to design a
single cohesive array that incorporates the unique ecological, social, cultural and
economic conditions of the North Coast within the framework of the statewide MLPA
Initiative Guidelines and MLPA legislation. Because the alteration of any single element
of the Unified MPA Array has the potential to undermine its cohesiveness, collaboration
with Regional Stakeholders and local communities regarding any change to the Unified
MPA Array is essential to retaining both its integrity and the support of local
communities, factors that are vital to the long term success of the MPA system.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any approved MPA array design will need
to allow traditional, non-commercial, gathering, subsistence, harvesting, ceremonial and
stewardship activities by California Tribes and Tribal Communities.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of October, 2010 by the following roll call vote:
AYES:Councilmembers Landis, Crane, Rodin, Baldwin, and Mayor Thomas
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Benj Tho as, Mayor
ATTEST:
JaAnne M. Currie, City Clerk
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The Region Stakeholder Group recommends that
traditional, non-commercial gathering, harvesting
and fishing for subsistence, ceremonial or stewardship
purpose be permitted in proposed marine protected areas.
Fort Bragg
Point Cabrillo a Big River Estuary
Navarro River Estuary
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