California's Ocean Protectors: Expand or Shrink?

0:00California's ocean protectors are in the spotlight, with dozens of proposals to tweak marine protected areas along the coast. Some want to expand them or add new ones, others to shrink or ease rules. The Fish and Game Commission, five experts, picked by the governor, would decide this summer after reviewing input from tribes, environs, and fishers. These spots ban or limit fishing to let sea life rebound, building on the Marine Life Protection Act from 1999. It took to 2012 to finish the network, now shielding 16% of state waters. Governor Newsom set a goal for 30% protected by 2030 amid warming oceans and diopts. Studies back the winds, protected zones grow bigger fish stocks, with spill over to nearby fisheries, like lobster halls jumping 225% off Channel Islands after 6 years. Southern kelp forest bounced back faster, post-heat wave thanks to predator fish, but northern ones lag without enough sea otters or stars.

1:00And virus push bold moves, like fully guarding Laguna Beach's coast to link habitats and fight urchin overgrowth. Fishers counter that current areas hit prime spots hard enough, boosting lobster, but herding urchin divers, and urge nuance over blanket bands with. Wind farms and warming in play. Public meetings hit April 21 in San Mateo, May 5 in 6 in Galetta, then May 19 in San Clemente, all live streamed. As pressures mount, these calls could lock in resilience for fisheries and kelp, proving protected waters a smart play long term. California News today, powered by AI bringing you what matters. I'm Corey with The Story.