Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
November 10, 2008
5. Agencies, Programs, People –
COLUMN: Perkins: Farmers must educate
The
Scientists try to lure fishermen into conservation effort
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COLUMN: Perkins: Farmers must educate
The
BOB PERKINS is executive director of the
o
Last Tuesday citizens made a lot of decisions. Surprisingly, we didn't all say "no" to spending money, but we were selective. The mixed results will shape agriculture in many ways. It reminds us that farmers and ranchers must educate non-farm voters about agriculture.
This was supposed to be a pocketbook election, but it looks like people voted with their hearts as well as their wallets.
Measure Z's sales tax for local transportation improvements failed. Monterey County Supervisor Dave Potter led a brave but underfunded campaign that couldn't quite overcome tight money and economic worries.
Agriculture supported the tax because farmers and rural residents would have shared the benefits. It's going to be tough to come up with a better mix of projects that benefit agriculture and can get voter approval. Next time - and there's probably going to be a next time - voters may be asked to OK something smaller, shorter and cheaper.
Agriculture and rural communities need to be at the table when planning starts for the next highway proposal. Our $3.8 billion farm industry provides the cash flow that ultimately goes to taxable sales, even though those sales mostly occur in incorporated cities. We want to be sure our farmers and rural residents will benefit from a future, tax-funded highway program.
We couldn't get a commitment to fix our local roads, but Californians voted for a multi-billion-dollar high-speed train. Sixty-two percent of
With diminishing resources,
Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, tried to stir some movement in
There's reason for farmers to be wary about regional water programs. When water gets really short, as it is in much of the state, agriculture is last in line for what's left. At least local water agencies are talking about the future. Farmers and ranchers have to be part of that discussion.
Last Tuesday's election reminds farmers and ranchers they must educate non-farm voters ahead of future elections.#
http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20081110/BUSINESS/811100314
Scientists try to lure fishermen into conservation effort
CASSANDRA BROOKS - Sentinel correspondent
A year has passed since 29 new marine protected areas were designated off the Central California coast, and while fishermen disagreed with the process, a few are working with Moss Landing Marine Labs to supplement their income and have their voices heard in research.
After seven years of planning by the California Department of Fish and Game, the reserves were created throughout the
The protected areas are spaces set aside to conserve marine environments and animals. Fishing, for the most part, is off limits, which has created tension.
"The big thing with marine protected areas and fishermen is that we were excluded from the process," said David Lemon, captain on the fishing vessel Caroline out of
The reserves account for 18 percent of the Central California state waters, "but this was 45 percent of the prime habitat for fishing," said Steve Scheiblauer, harbor master of
In an effort to understand the effects of marine reserves and to include the voices of fishermen and supplement their income, Richard Starr of Moss Landing Marine Labs, with the help of others, began the collaborative fisheries research project.
"Historically, fishermen felt that their information hasn't been used or was used against them," Starr said. "We want to change the way fisheries are managed to make the fishing community an integral part of management."
Starr's research team charters commercial and recreational fishing boats in
And it seems to be working well, Starr said.
"The fishermen have been outstanding in helping us sample marine protected areas in the area," he said.
Aside from being involved in the research, the financial contribution is helpful for the fishermen. In these economically trying times, every little bit helps, said Tom Mattusch, captain of the fishing vessel Huli Cat out of Half Moon Bay.
Others agree.
"This is the worst year I've ever had in this business because of the salmon closure and everything else," said Lemon. "The charters have been a real plus."
Starr has studied marine resources for more than 20 years and a lot of that work led to the protection of marine areas. His team began the collaborative fisheries work five years ago and this is his second year doing the collaborative work in
The past two summers, Starr charters fishing boats four days a week, bringing out a dozen volunteer fishermen each day to catch fish. The research team then records the location, species, size and sex of each fish and also attaches a small external tag. The fish are then released back into the water.
When fishermen capture the tagged fish at a later date, they call in with details about when and where they caught the fish and then Starr can assess the fishes' movement.
So far, according to Starr, their team has found significantly more and bigger fish in the reserves, indicating the protected areas are working.
The Department of Fish and Game is on board, too. It implemented its own collaborative research project this past summer based on Starr's work and had a successful summer, according to Fish and Game researcher Scot Lucas.
Marine reserves are designed to protect valuable fisheries habitat. When fishing is banned in the reserve, fish populations will grow and spill out into the unprotected areas, creating a higher population of fish overall, according to the National Research Council.
Starr's team and Fish and Game hope to continue their research on marine reserves to understand their effectiveness for years to come.
"Realistically, it's going to be a long time before we know all ramifications of the marine protected areas," Starr said.#
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_10940959
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