Summary of Meeting on January 15, 2005 at SF Cow Palace with Assemblyman Isenberg and Director Ryan Broddrick

·        Speakers included Isenberg, Broddrick, PFMC President Roger Thomas, DFG Commission Chairman Jim Kellogg, ASA Chairman Mike Nussman, UASC Chairman Tom Raftican, Tim Alpers, and other people involved in fisheries management.

·        Speakers (especially Isenberg and Broddrick) responded to questions from the audience … many of them critical and controversial.  It was clear from the question/answer session that Isenberg (Head of the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force) is very astute and knowledgeable about the MLPA mandate contained in the MLPA legislation.  He does not appear to be a “lackey” for environmental groups.

·        Jim Kellogg announced that a member of the Fish & Game Commission is leaving the commission and the Governor has already appointed a “friend-of-fishermen” from Santa Barbara to fill the vacancy.  This means that if Marilyn Hendrickson is confirmed, we will have 4 out of 5 members who are “friendly” to fishing interests.  This is a fantastic improvement for the Commission.

·        Ryan Broddrick conceded that DFG has struggled to improve the gathering of science and data about the nearshore fishery.  He admitted that fishermen are suffering because he does not have the staff or money to gather essential fishery information.

·        Isenberg said that the efforts on the Central Coast will first focus on existing MPAs to see how they can be improved.  This will be done before any consideration of new or additional MPAs.

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