A suggestion to those that plan to attend these meetings:

Don't just go there to protest and voice your opinion. Make sure you learn what this MLPA is before you go and get all the info you can about your local proposed areas. The law has been passed and the only way to stop it is an injunction, and that's not likely considering you'd be fighting the state of CA. So IMHO the best thing to do is push for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)instead of Marine Reserves. In MPAs, fishing may still be allowed with only certain species designated as "no take." Find out what the target species are for the area of your concern and if it's primarily rockfish or some type of isopod, fishing for pelagics in the area obviously would have no effect on the target species.

Here's a couple of links to read before you go and possibly print and bring along for reference:

<A href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=fgc&group=02001-03000&file=2850-2863">Marine Life Protection Act as it appears in the F&G code</A>

<a href="http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/index.html">Marine Life Protection Act Website with info about proposed closure areas and more</A>

The best way to make an impact at such a meeting is to conduct yourself professionally, be respectful, and know your stuff. Let us all know how the meeting goes.

TL,
Adam