December 13, 2004
12/13 - California Ocean Clash: troubling signs of the coming storm
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has placed the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) as the centerpiece of his administration environmental agenda. But does he know what he's in for? The future of Marine Protected Areas in the U.S. is probably going to hinge what transpires around this. It's becoming clear that the Governator/Oceanator is in for yet another major challenge to his leadership skills as fishermen of all kinds begin to band together in opposition, as reflected by the excerpt from an article in the Fish Sniffer:
At the meeting, it was decided that we would form the "California Fisheries Coalition" with the specific purpose of defending ourselves in the MLPA process. This historic coalition brings together fishing interests that are traditionally antagonistic - not only between sportfishing and commercial fishing sectors, but between commercial fishermen and processors, aquaculturalists and fishermen - and it presents a special challenge as well as a unique opportunity for
communication.
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