3….2….1…. Put down your spears. Starting Sunday, January 1st,
2012 eleven new areas including Laguna will become completely off limits to
fishing commercial or otherwise. The controversial fishing restrictions have
been pushed back several times but now will officially become implemented.
These new, expanded, and enhanced areas are established with the hope for
marine life rejuvenation. Marine protected areas have proved successful
throughout the world. In one example Cabo Pulmo National
Park in Baja Californiaresearchers there believe there has been a 463
% increase in fish in that area from 1999 to 2009. Especially they point out a
dramatic increase (tenfold) in top predators like sharks. Memo to Seal
Rock! This would be great news though when the marine populations due
recover, historically once they have been implemented, the fishing restrictions
are rarely reduced or rescinded. A tough choice between supporting thriving
marine parks rivaling any built on land and protecting a person’s right to hunt
food for their own consumption. Some had believed that a middle of the road
approach would have been more reasonable with such restrictions applied to only
commercial activity, considering the significantly lower amount of marine life
taken by recreational fishing. Many of us regular divers enjoy alternating
activities depending on the season, conditions, and our moods. In Southern California we ramp up for the opening of
Lobster season in October while exchanging our bags for underwater cameras in
November when the visibility can reach 70 ft as recently reported in some
spots. So while this significantly limits or eliminates one of those enjoyable
underwater activities and inconvenient to those of us whom enjoy just an
occasional underwater hunt and the taste of fresh local fish, we can divert
that effort toward our underwater photography, and save on island charters with
hopefully more marine activity in our own backyards.

Here is a summary of some of the new areas and
restrictions in Southern California:

The northern section of Point Dume becomes a
State Marine Conservation Area (fishing/harvesting of some marine resources is
permitted).

The southern section of Point Dume becomes
a State Marine Reserve (all fishing/harvesting of marine resources is
prohibited)

Point Vicente becomes a No-Take State Marine
Conservation Area (all fishing/harvesting of marine resources is
prohibited).

Abalone Cove becomes a State Marine
Conservation Area (fishing/harvesting of some marine resources is permitted).

Laguna
Beach becomes a State Marine Reserve (all
fishing/harvesting of marine resources is prohibited)

For a complete list and details visit California
Fish and Game website: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/scmpas_list.asp

-Marco Costa, PADI Divemaster #301284

Also, member of local dive group NBTT ("No
Beach Too Tough")
Dive with NBTT - http://www.divebuddy.com/club.aspx?ClubID=282


About N.B.T.T.
No Beach Too Tough is an informal dive club formed
in June of 2010 by two divers Javy Martinez and Marco Costa. Together they met
and involved many other divers they encountered with the goal of frequent
diving to build knowledge, experience, and maintain dive fitness. The core dive
focus of this group are local Southern California dive
sites. Some sites which are more challenging then just hopping on a boat or
climbing some stairs but which are usually unfrequented and therefore thriving
marine sites ideal for diving. Further details regarding N.B.T.T. and scheduled
dives and events with this group can be found on divebuddy.com or visit http://www.divebuddy.com/club.aspx?ClubID=282