ANOTHER VIEW: More to be done for oceans

By By Pam Slater-Price - County supervisor | Sunday, June 8, 2008 12:34 AM PDT ∞

As the world prepares to celebrate Ocean Day today, we have our own reasons to celebrate in San Diego County. Few of the world's waters can match the beauty and ecological richness of those off the coast of Southern California.

But even with its seemingly endless bounty, our ocean has been overused. That threatens the ecology, the fishermen who depend on fish for a living, local tourism and interrupts our enjoyment of life in and around the water.

Our watershed and ocean are essential to our quality of life, the resale value of our homes, and our economy. Our beaches and weather are our No. 1 tourist draw. And our ocean is full of environmental riches.

California has taken a series of impressive steps toward a healthier coast since the first global Oceans Day in 1992 ---- both for our ocean and for our communities. Today, our ocean is better protected and managed. We have used sound science and valuable community input to increase our scarce ocean resources.

To their credit, coastal cities have banned smoking on beaches. Beach cleanups are steady and heavily attended.

Yet there is more to be done.

Through a cooperative effort, the region can bring our ocean back to its former health. The state is doing its part with a groundbreaking Marine Life Protection Act. This first-of-its kind measure, passed in 1999, creates a system of marine protected areas much like the parks we have so wisely set aside on land.

Marine protected areas let the whole web of underwater life rebuild itself. They give time for restoration of damaged habitat where fish feed and breed. Scientists have repeatedly noted that as the fish grow in size and numbers, they often migrate out to less protected areas where they can be harvested.

Years ago, when our oceans were viewed as vast and limitless, we took advantage of underwater resources to the fullest extent. However, the consequences of such recklessness brought us to where we are today. In short, we now understand that in order for our abundant fish and wildlife to remain plentiful, we need thoughtful and cautious management.

Otherwise, our ecology suffers alongside our fishing industry and even our coastal economy, which includes recreational swimming and surfing and other water activities. A clean ocean and a clean beach benefits us all.

Today, scientists, park officials, fishermen, educators, conservationists and businesses are working together to combat the serious problems of depleted fish populations, degraded habitat and struggling ecosystems. As a result of this cooperation, a network of protected areas has already been implemented on our central coast, one is in the works for the north central coast, and next, the south coast is up for protection under California's landmark law.

While marine protected areas cannot cure all that ails the seas, they are a useful conservation tool. These "time-out zones" are proving invaluable in keeping our dwindling fish stocks from crashing completely. And these areas are being placed so that they avoid impacting ports, while leaving the vast majority of the ocean open to fishing.

Marine scientists tell us these protected zones are one of the best tools we have to rebuild damaged marine life habitat and fish populations.

California is at a crossroads concerning the care of our ocean. We now have a plan to create a statewide network of protection of our coastal waters through the Marine Life Protection Act. We would be the first state in the nation to do so.

By striking a balance between conservation and use, there is hope for our ocean in the future, for our coastal economy, and for our California way of life.

Pam Slater-Price represents North County's District Three on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.