ocean picture

Monterey and the MLPA

Monterey, CA - This is a quick summary of how the MLPA will affect Monterey dive site. Thanks to Berkley White for compiling this list.

Breakwater fishing: Commissioners approved some no fishing hours on the weekends, but pushed off determining the exact times to a future meeting.  (Handicap fishermen will be exempt from the no fishing hours.) 

 

Ed Ricketts Conservation Area (Breakwater to Hopkins): No commercial or spearfishing, but will allow sport hook and line fishing.  No kelp harvesting from Breakwater to Charthouse.  Kelp harvest will have monthly take limits, but looks like the limits were determined by the harvesters.

Hopkins Marine Reserve (now runs all the way to Lovers!): No-take area.  Ed Coopers' ashes are now swimming in a reserve!  Very cool!  Might have it's name changed to Lover's Point Reserve.

Pacific Grove Conservation Area (Lovers to Pt. Pinos): No commercial fishing, but allows spearfishing and sport hook and line.  Kelp harvesting allowed with monthly limits.

Pacific Grove Marine Reserve (Pt. Pinos to Asilomar): Boundaries still not defined, but will be a no take area.

Pinnacles Marine Reserve: The small postage stamp boundaries on the Carmel Pinnacles from Package P.  No-take area.

Carmel Bay Conservation Area: No commercial fishing, but allows sport fishing and kelp harvesting.

Point Lobos Marine Reserve: A huge victory for this jewel of the Pacific.  Adopted package 3R boundaries... now includes Mono Lobo wall and further expansion south.


Read LA Times full story...
Department of Fish & Game MLPA info...

See package comparisons below: Note some changes were made in the final Package P.