Praise for Council Vote

Editor,

As reported June 19, our City Council courageously approved a resolution asking the state to declare all of Laguna's coastline to be designated a continuous and consistent State Marine Reserve from Abalone Point to the rocky point south of Three Arch Bay. This designation

would provide a five-year period to allow depleted marine fisheries an opportunity to recover. During public testimony some speakers (including our mayor, Kelly Boyd) expressed concern regarding the enforcement of such a Marine Reserve and what Laguna's responsibility would be. I would like to report good news!

Ray Hiemstra from the Coastkeeper Organization and who is a member of the Regional Stakeholder's Group stated, "The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) is a state program and the city of Laguna Beach has no obligation to enforce the fishing regulations at all, even though they support the establishment of a reserve. That is the Department of Fish & Game's job. If the city wishes to help with enforcement they can do that at any level they like. Laguna's mandated costs for enforcement are zero. The city does not own the ocean or intertidal area and the reserve will be a state reserve wherever it is created. It may cover multiple cities, and they are not obligated either." Enforcement obligations and additional expense are no longer an excuse to avoid helping our marine fishery resources recover from years of neglect and overfishing.

Laguna Beach thanks Verna, Toni, Elizabeth and Jane for their brave and visionary vote supporting this Marine Reserve despite heavy opposition from the fishing interests. Charlotte Masarik Laguna Beach