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Marine Protected Areas
(MPAs)
Tribal Co-Managed Marine Protected Areas
(MPAs)
Through the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)
Initiative Wishtoyo and its VCK program is advocating to best ensure a
network of MPA’s are established that protects the ecologically
integrity and fisheries of the Southern California Bight (SCB).
Designating MPAs with tribal co-management
components, within the Southern California MPA network, is a way to
best ensure that Southern California’s marine and coastal ecosystems
are protected and to maintain and restore Southern California’s
marine fisheries, while preserving and learning from the Chumash
culture that understands how to live sustainably with our coastal
resources. The foundation for Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper
program's advocacy for MPAs with tribal co-management components is Wishtoyo Foundation’s
White Paper: Tribal Marine Protected Areas:
Protecting Maritime Ways and Cultural Practices
(please click to view)
Wishtoyo is currently advocating for a
Chumash co-management MPA in the MLPA Initiative Proposal generating
process. Please click
here for Wishtoyo
Foundation’s Proposal for a Chumash Co-Managed State Marine
Conservation Area (SMCA) MPA (Sequit MPA) with a
moderate high level of protection from Leo Carrillo State Beach to
Zuma Beach (Trancas) in Malibu, California. For information about how Wishtoyo's Proposed Chumash Co-Managed SMCA fits into Wishtoyo's priority to establish a network of ecologically protective MPA's that includes a Marine Reserve off of Point Dume,
please
Click Here.
Wishtoyo’s proposal has evolved following Wishtoyo’s and
its Ventura Coastkeeper program's:
1.) April 9, 2009 MLPA Comment Letter
2.) April 28, 2009 public comment at the
SCRSG MLPA meeting
3.) Work with and feedback from the SCRSG
workgroups on April 29, 2009
4.) The hosting of and Chumash
co-management presentation to SCRSG members, MLPA Initiative Staff,
and representatives from the California Department of Fish and Game at
Wishtoyo’s Chumash Discovery Village.
The Chumash Co-Management component of the
proposal is supported in full by the Federally recognized Santa Ynez
Chumash. VCK’s proposal best meets the goals of the MLPA to protect,
conserve and restore California’s marine life, habitats, natural
heritage and ecosystem functions, while supporting and cultivating
recreational, educational, study, efficient management, and
enforcement opportunities.
As proposed by VCK, the Sequit SMCA MPA
would be co-managed by Chumash Native Americans and would allow
traditional and ceremonial utilization of the oceans natural
resources. The Wishtoyo Foundation’s Chumash Demonstration Village
would provide invaluable enforcement/monitoring, educational, and
cultural preservation opportunities and capabilities to the Sequit
SMCA.
The Sequit SMCA MPA with a
Tribal Co-Management Component led by the Wishtoyo Foundation, and
other Chumash government and non government organizations will help
best achieve the MLPA goals for seven reasons: (1) It provides for
sound management and enforcement of the SMCA; (2) It provides a
powerful educational platform to promote sustainable ocean ecosystem
and fisheries management and to redefine our relationship with the
ocean; (3) It protects and preserves Chumash maritime culture and
traditional connection with the ocean and its resources in accordance
with the mandates of the MLPA regarding cultural preservation; (4) It
best protects submerged cultural and sacred resources and
archeological sites; (5) It satisfies nine “Design Considerations”
approved by the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force that will be difficult to
achieve without its inclusion; (6) It facilitates all of the
“Implementation and Management Activities” to be included in
regional MPA plans as set forth and approved by the MLPA Blue Ribbon
Task Force; and (7) it protects sensitive, diverse, and ecologically
important ocean and coastal habitats. |
