As a resident of California, I am very concerned about the health of our oceans and want to see special places protected.
I support protecting more of California's coast with marine life reserves than is proposed in the draft plan. There is strong scientific evidence that fully protected marine life reserves, where all extractive activities are prohibited, will protect biodiversity and promote healthy ecosystems. Special places in the ocean deserve full protection, just as they do on land. Just as parks and wilderness areas protect our terrestrial wildlife and habitat, the oceans and coastal zones should include a comprehensive system of protected areas for marine wildlife and habitats, including fully protected marine reserves.
I support the establishment of an effective network of MPAs along California's coast to protect and conserve marine life. I want to conserve California's marine life and waters, with all the economic and intrinsic benefits they provide, for future generations.
I urge you to create fully protected reserves at Ano Nuevo, off the Big Sur coast, in the Farallones underwater pinnacles, off Point Reyes Headlands, and in other scenic or diverse underwater spots along the Central California coast.
Please make sure that the marine reserve network is big enough to help the many species in trouble recover and provide insurance against disasters and management mistakes.
Thank you for considering my views.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
