On August 5th, the California Department of Fish and Game Commission approved the adoption of 21 new marine protected areas on the North Central Coast.  These 21 new MPAs span from Pigeon Point in Half Moon Bay to just north of Point Arena in Mendocino County.  The MPAs cover about 155 square miles of sea and will come into effect on January 1st, 2010. 

This is a great victory for ocean conservation and we want to thank everyone who was involved in helping to get this proposal passed.  Kate Purcell of Save Our Shores was at the Department of Fish and Game commission meeting on August 5th.  She made a statement to the commission of how important these MPAs will be for the future of California fisheries as well as our own futures as people living on the California coast.  If we don't do something now to protect our coastline, it could be too late.

June 12th at the Rio Theater at 7:30pm.

This documentary film chronicles the rise and fall of Northern California's once great salmon and steelhead rivers through the eyes of famous anglers such as Russell Chatham and Lani Waller, the Department of Fish and Game, and distinguished fisheries professor Peter Moyle of UC Davis.  The rivers are looked at from the beginning of the 20th century to present day conditions highlighting the lessons we have learned along the way and what we must do if we are interested in not only saving these fish, but saving our relationship with nature.  You can see more about the film at the website www.riversofalostcoast.com.

Email your support for underwater state parks, or speak your mind on April 22 or 23 in San Rafael. California is in the process of creating Marine Protected Areas along the North Central coast, from Half Moon Bay to Point Arena. These underwater state parks and wilderness sites will help protect diverse habitats and let fish and marine wildlife thrive. On April 23, the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force will recommend a network of protected areas for our coastal waters.

We need your help to make sure they choose the best plan that includes the most important places along our coast — Package 4, which gets the highest marks from scientists and provides the highest level of protection to special places like the rocky reefs along the Sonoma Coast, seabird nesting areas at Point Reyes, historic Fitzgerald Marine Park and the Farallon Islands. Package 4 offers the most protection to the best places in the region, while still allowing small boat fishermen access to the sea to sustain traditional fisheries. Designed with input from local residents, conservationists, and fishermen, Package 4 offers California a true ocean legacy.