MLPA Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group Facilitation Completed (2005-2006)
In 2005-2006, CONCUR facilitated the MLPA Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group (CCRSG), a 32-member group charged with developing alternate packages of Marine Protected Areas for the region between Pigeon Point and Point Conception. The aim of the program is to build a statewide network to protect biological diversity and rebuild depleted fish stocks, and create educational and research opportunities. The Central Coast Region is the first to be addressed.
Parties included commercial and recreational fishing interests from the Morro Bay and Monterey, the harbormaster of Morro Bay and Monterey, conservation organizations, consumptive and nonconsumptive divers, and coastal business owners. As the first region to establish MPAs under the Act, the Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group was an essential part of the structure of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative and the CCRSG process established the foundation for the later steps in the MLPA process. CONCUR played a key role in facilitating the Regional Stakeholder Group, which developed the initial proposals or “packages.” The CONCUR team also provided strategic planning advice to the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative staff.
The CCRSG worked in tandem with a Science Advisory Team (SAT), a Blue Ribbon Task Force of senior policy advisors, and Department of Fish and Game staff. CONCUR lead the group in adoption of ground rules, a set of regional goals and objectives, and robust deliberation over alternative packages of marine protected areas. The CCRSG met its aggressive deadline to produce alternative packages in seven months. In March 2006, the Blue Ribbon Task Force deliberated on the packages and established a hybrid package 3R as their preferred alternative. The Fish and Game Commission considered the recommendations of the CCRSG, the Blue Ribbon Task Force and Dept. of Fish and Game staff in establishing a selected their preferred alternative. The Commission also directed two alternative packages to be evaluated as part of the California Environmental Quality Act process.
Fish and Game Commission Takes “Landmark” Action on 29 Central Coast Marine Protected Areas
On April 13, 2007, the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously adopted a packaged of 29 marine protected areas (MPAs). Of those, 13 are Marine Reserves where no extractive use is allowed; others are less restrictive MPAs where some types of commercial or recreational fishing is allowed, while. The total area in MPAs comprises about 18% of the study area, which begins at the shoreline, and extends to the 3-mile limit of state waters. The final adopted recommendation is a hybrid of those developed by the stakeholder group, with some minor modifications introduced by the BRTF and the Commission.
As the MPLA Initiative is far more extensive than similar programs in other states, the Commission action received media coverage:
New York Times - “California Adopts First Phase of Ocean Preserves”, 04/15/07 (NYT account needed to view)
San Jose Mercury News - “Marine Protected Areas Shown on Map”, 04/14/07
San Jose Mercury News - “California marine conservation efforts coming together”, 04/23/07
San Francisco Chronicle - “State wildlife officials to create marine preserves”, 04/13/07: “With our action today, California has embarked upon something historic and extraordinary,” said Richard Rogers, president of the Commission. “With this vote, we have taken the first step to return our ocean waters to the place they used to be; an ocean full of sustainable abundance.”
A 6-page document containing links and summaries of more media coverage can be downloaded here: Central_Coast_MPAs_MEDIA.doc<
MLPA Initiative Central Coast Project Facilitator’s Report
The Central Coast project was the first study region as part of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative’s effort
to create a statewide network of marine protected areas. With the aim of learning from experience, the Initiative arranged for a series of “Lessons Learned” analyses reports. CONCUR authored a Facilitator’s Report from our vantage point as lead facilitators for the Central Coast project. In it, we review our approach to stakeholder analysis, convening, and facilitation of the Regional Stakeholder Group. We document the key process choices we made in preparing for the set of seven intensive plenary meetings, the challenges we faced, results achieved, and implications for future study regions. We also reflect on our experience and offer a series of recommendations for consideration by the Department of Fish and Game and Initiative staff as the effort to build a statewide network goes forward. The report can be viewed at: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/pdfs/agenda_090606f.pdf. Two companion studies–one by Jonathan Raab (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/pdfs/agenda_090606e.pdf), and one by Michael Harty and Dewitt John (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/pdfs/agenda_090606d.pdf)–also examine the Central Coast project.