Divers in central California know if you want to get away from it all and experience true ocean wilderness, heading south of Monterey will get you there. Exchanging the backdrop of Cannery Row for rugged granite cliffs gives one the feeling of true exploration. But where exactly is Mono Lobo? Look no further than the southern end of Carmel Bay just outside the eastern boundaries of Point Lobos State Reserve. The rocky reefs extending from the Granite Point area of the reserve wrap around to Monastery Beach, a great shore diving site featured in the March/April issue. As MonoLobo belongs to the greater Point Lobos State Marine Reserve, no fishing or collecting of any kind is allowed. So grab the camera and leave the spear gun at home for some unforgettable dives!

Despite being accessible by shore, kicking out to the furthest extremes of this area is not advisable. The best way to access Mono Lobo is either by kayak, a small boat, or one of Monterey’s many commercial charters. Kayakdiving offers the most flexibility due to the unrestricted access from Monastery Beach. Kayaks and small boats may also launch within Whaler’s Cove in Point Lobos. Just remember that reservations are required on most weekends with the reserve filling up weeks ahead of time.

Once on the water, divershave some decisions to make regarding where to go. If the swell is up, head towards the outer reaches of the kelp forests and avoid the surge. A wide variety of rock formations can be found here. Closer to Monastery Beach, small pinnacles offer plenty to look at while allowing for longer bottom times. The further from the cove, the closer you get to deeper reefs with more vertical relief for that true sense of three dimensional space. Pinnacles peak around 40-50’ and reach depths in excess of 100’. Spires covered in various hues of club-tipped anemones, sponges, and tunicates rise up from the boulder fields which are filled with fish-eating anemones. Surge channels and current swept rock faces can be loaded withCalifornia hydrocoral. This delicate hydrozoan takes years to grow and prefers areas with plenty of water circulation. The occasional school of mixed rockfish can be spotted hanging still in the kelp forest; a scene hopefully more commonly encountered in the years to come as the reserve status takes full effect. The proximity to open ocean offers opportunity for pelagic encounters such as egg yolk and sea nettle jellies. I have personally rubbed elbows with the ocean sunfish, Mola mola, here. Marine mammals often frequent Mono Lobo, both in the kelp forest and just outside it. Keep your eyes peeled for passing sea lions, dolphins, and even humpback whales.

If the weather permits, be sure to visit the shallow reefs for a full blown kelp forest experience. Dense canopies in shallow water make great backdrops for sunlight filtering through the surface. The leafy understory of various algae create an almost jungle like experience. In the spring and summer, harbor seals use this area to raise their pups, and it can be an excellent place for close encounters of the furry kind. The warmer months also mean schools of señoritas can be seen swimming serenely past this carpet of green. Keep your eyes peeled for plentiful macro subjects as well. Painted greenlings and crevice kelpfish hide amongst the coralline algae and umbrella crabs can often be found here. My one lone sighting of a grunt sculpin, a peculiar and rare fish for this area with a snout similar to a seahorse, occurred in the shallows.

Wherever you decide to dive, Mono Lobo will offer a wide diversity of options for even the most discerning diver. The mix of shallow and deep habitats and the possible element of a surprise encounter will keep you coming back time and time again.

 –Jim Patterson
http://jimpattersonphotography.com

Special thanks to Jim Patterson for this story. Jim is an accomplished photographer based in Santa Cruz and has regularly contributed to California Diver. Check out his website here and check out his upcoming photography workshops.

Mike’s Camera and Nikon are presenting an underwater photography Seminar on Wednesday May 22 in Sacramento and Thursday May 23 in Berkeley.

The coral reefs are the basic building block of the world’s oceans and are brimming with life and photographic opportunities. Scott Frier, Nikon’s underwater expert and photographer for over 30 years, will walk attendees through their importance and the techniques used to capture stunning images in such a unique setting.  Those attending the seminar will gain the skills to operate a camera underwater and to photograph images successfully in a challenging underwater environment.

Who Should Attend
Photographers who are inspired by the world’s oceans and want to become more confident in creating images in an underwater environment

Scott Frier

About Scott Frier
Scott Frier has been involved in photography for more than thirty-five years.  He graduated with Master’s degrees in History and Visual Education from the State University of New York.  He subsequently taught public school and later photography in college.  During this time he traveled extensively on photographic assignments to over fifty countries.

For more than 25 years, Scott worked for Nikon as a technical specialist and photographer in digital imaging, underwater and wildlife photography.  In this capacity he wrote and lectured extensively as well as teaching the Nikon School of Underwater Photography.  He has taught hundreds of classes in all areas of photography.  His photographs and articles have appeared in numerous magazines and books in the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Japan and Brazil.  Scott’s work can be seen at his website: www.frierworks.com

Dates, Times & Location

Wednesday May 22
6:30PM – 9:30PM at Mike’s Camera, 2200 J Street, Sacramento

Thursday May 23
6:30PM – 9:30PM
La Quinta Inn Berkeley, 920 University Ave, Berkeley

Tuition
$20/FREE  Those attending the seminar will receive a $20 Mike’s Camera gift card….making the program FREE!

Registration
Sign up at mikescamera.com/learn

About Mike’s Camera
Mike’s Camera is well known for its comprehensive selection of camera gear, print services and photography educational programming. Founded in 1967, it has become a regional favorite for industry professionals and amateur camera buffs alike. In stocking the most complete selection of photographic and video equipment in Colorado, Mike’s Camera offers consumers and professional photographers a wide range of camera types for every unique picture-taking opportunity, as well as turn-key solutions for imaging, printing, video, scanning and archiving of analog images to digital, commercial output services such as trade show banners and posters and custom framing for display.  Mike’s Camera has 6 store locations in Northern California in San Francisco, Mill Valley, Menlo Park, Dublin, Pleasant Hill, and Sacramento.

Contact

Mike’s Camera
Nichole Shanks (303) 443-1715 ex134
marketing@mikescamera.com

Included in the box is a 4GB micro SDHC card, and this can be expanded to up to 32 GB. A 4GB card records approximately 2 hours of video. The package also includes 4 AAA Energizer Lithium Batteries, a charger, USB cable, carrying case, a tube of silicone grease, and RCA cable. Fully charged batteries last about an hour and a half – good for at least two full dives. Fully loaded (not including accessory lights), the mask weighs 360 grams (12.7 ounces).

Light It Up

 Optionally, the HD324 can be outfitted with one or two LED lights mounted on wings on each side of the mask. They add a negligible amount of drag when mounted, but completely free your hands while diving and considerably improve the quality of both photos and videos at all depths. I dove with Liquid Image’s model 342 and 343 LED dive lights, projecting beams at 40 degrees and 60 degrees, respectively. Each comes with a convenient rechargeable battery and provides a nice, even, clean, white light. Both lights are excellent-quality dive lights on their own and can also be used as handheld lights (as I discovered, they’re the perfect size for gearing up at night on the surface). Mounting the brackets to the mask is easy with a single Phillips screw at the base, and quick-release mounting on the lights makes it easy to place and remove them from the mask in or out of the water.

Operation

The HD324 is turned on and with a simple rocker switch on the top right side—a push towards the inside turns the mask on and off, and a push towards the outside changes between the different shooting modes: Still photos and HD at 1920×1080 or 1280×720. Each mode has its own color LED indicator light on the right side of the mask, which can be seen by looking upwards, and a small LCD screen provides information on the number of shots taken, battery life, etc. With just a bit of topside practice, operation is very easy and intuitive, and switching the mask on and off and changing modes is easy — both underwater and at the surface (even with gloves on). With Liquid Image’s system, there is no menu to read underwater, just a colored light and an audible beep when turning on, off, recording, or changing modes. You won’t waste time on your dive deciphering or navigating through complicated menus.

The exposure is automatically adjusted for the lighting conditions you’re diving in, and optional blue/green color correction filters can be placed over the lens when shooting video for more accurate color. White balance is automatic.

Shooting

Crystal clear and with a wide-angle view, the HD video quality outstanding, and having the same POV as I did during the dive provides an interesting — it follows every head turn, gauge check, and hand signal given to my buddy. This not only provides an accurate recording of your dive experience, but also allows others to “experience” the dive the way you did. The clarity and smooth motion captured by the HD324 looks amazing on an HDTV; this is such a great way to share your dives with others!

I dove under bright sunlight, cloudy skies, and during a night dive, and the camera did very well adjusting and capturing sharp video and stills under each. Even during night dives, the mounted LED lights provided plenty of light to get surprisingly great exposures. The camera shoots images onto a 1/3.2″ CMOS sensor. Still images are saved as JPEG’s, and video as H.264 MOV files. The aperture is fixed at 3.2. There is also an optional color filter kit – the custom filters simply snap over the front of the lens, and they can be easily removed and replaced underwater.

For recording audio, an integrated microphone captures sound while diving; it captured every breath (and at least one claim that I was skip-breathing), and while diving of Black Rock/Sheraton on Maui, whales swimming offshore could clearly be heard – just as they were underwater. When not moving underwater, the air from exhalation streams over the mask, with the accompanying noise and bubbles captured by the camera. When I first viewed this after the dive I thought it might be a bit distracting to others; friends and family all thought that with the POV video, it added realism to the video and they liked it. Anytime you’re moving forward this is not an issue.

If you’re looking for a way to share your dive with others, check out the new HD324. It’s an easy way to capture great HD video of your dives.

The HD324 Mask retails for $299. Full specs and details on all of Liquid Image’s masks can be found on the Liquid Image website at liquidimageco.com.

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The tragedy took place at Fisk Mill Cove, just North of Gerstle Cove on the Sonoma coastline. It was the same area where another diver died last weekend, and the fourth abalone diver to die in a 7-day period. The diver has not yet been identified, though it was reported to be a middle-aged male from the East Bay.

The victim reportedly wasn’t feeling well when he got out of the water around 8:15 a.m. and collapsed on the shoreline. Bystanders administered CPR and continued life-saving efforts for about 15 minutes until a state park lifeguard was flagged down, followed by additional state park personnel, Timber Cove and Cal Fire medical technicians, and a Mendocino Coast Ambulance crew.

The photograph below taken in the Fisk Mill Cove area about 4 hours after the rescue took place (click to see a larger version). Temperatures were in the upper 70′s to low 80′s with a very light wind and relatively calm ocean conditions. According to other divers also hunting for abalone, visibility was around 5-7 feet. The water temperature is 48 degrees.

Due to favorable dive conditions, many divers were in the water Saturday. Gerstle Cove had a regular flow of divers coming through, as did Ocean Cove and Stillwater Cove. The Sonoma County Lifeguards were also monitoring divers in the water in several locations.

Anyone attempting to freedive for abalone are reminded that even in the best of conditions, abalone diving is a very strenuous activity requiring the diver to be in very good physical condition. Every diver MUST be properly weighted before entering the water and be ready and willing to release their weight belt at any time they may feel they are in distress. It is essential to dive with a buddy and have surface support – such as a dive tube, board, or kayak. Most importantly – be willing to cancel your dive at anytime if the conditions are not good or well matched to your ability.

Dive safe.

The Minno uses replaceable scrolls of synthetic vellum which scrolls back and forth within its housing with two large knobs. They’re easily turnable with one hand, even with thick gloves on underwater. The AquaSketch Minnow is currently being used by the US Navy Seals, NASA, Police Departments and Search and rescue organizations. It can also be used on land, and kayakers, backpackers, and others in need of a very light weight reference tool will find it useful.

 The AquaSketch can either be worn on the wrist for one-handed use, or attached to the diver or gear with an optional retractable lanyard or Velcro. It’s weighs in at just 5.4 ounces and has minimal drag underwater. The scrolls (called “apps” by AquaSketch) can be easily replaced. There are more than a dozen pre-designed apps available for purchase at $9.95, or you can design your own using a reusable blank scroll. Predesiged apps include Fish ID charts, photo logs, instructor tools, dive site maps, and more. The patented Minnow comes with a dive safety checklist, a 5 foot blank roll, cleaning pad, and a coupon for 50% off your next order of supplies. (The red surgical tube shown above attaches a graphite pencil to the device for writing.)

 We first met the AquaSketch team at the 2012 San Jose Dive Expo and you’ll see them at many major dive shows across the U.S. Just look for the booth with a big crowd around it – the AquaSketch has proven to be a hot item.

The AquaSketch Minnow retails for $49.95 and is available at your favorite local dive store. For more information, check it out at AquaSketch.com.

The Sonoma County sheriff’s Henri-1 helicopter crew flew all three calls, lifting two bodies from the water and one from the shoreline. They also carried one exhausted diver from the water while responding to Sunday morning’s call at Fisk Mill Cove. The helicopter unit responds to an average of 900 missions annually and performs more rescues than any other program in the country.

A very low minus tide Sunday morning brought swarms of abalone divers to beaches and coves up and down the North Coast. Six state parks officers and lifeguards were on duty along 40 miles of Sonoma County’s coastline and aided several other divers during the weekend.

Gerstle Cove, Salt Point State Park

Kenneth Liu, 36, from San Francisco, had reportedly been diving with a friend south of Fisk Mill Cove, near Gerstle Cove, in northern Sonoma County and got into trouble just before 8am. His dive buddy heard him call out for help while struggling in a strong current. Other divers swam out to the man as he struggled. They got him to rocks near the shore. They were performed CPR on the unconscious man when state parks lifeguard Aaron Pendergraft hiked down to the area. He radioed for help and performed CPR, but the man was pronounced dead after the paramedics arrived.

On Saturday afternoon, Cedric Collett, a 66 year old retired firefighter from Pacifica, was diving with a friend off of a Sea Ranch beach in northern Sonoma County. He was reportedly a strong swimmer and in excellent physical condition. While diving, he failed to resurface after several minutes, and a friend went to a nearby home and called 911 for help. Sonoma’s Henry-1 helicopter and park lifeguards and deputies responded around 1:15pm. After lifeguard Joe Stouffers was lowered in the water from Henry-1, he located the diver about 15 feet underwater. His weightbelt was still in place.

On Sunday, shortly after the call to Fisk Mill Cove, the helicopter crew flew up to Mendocino to assist in the search for a diver who disappeared near the popular MacKerricher State Park beach. A Coast Guard crew helping with the search found a diver’s float tube about 250 yards offshore, with no sign of a diver. Henry-1 paramedic Scott Freedman was lowered into the water, and found the diver 15 feet underwater – the same depth as the diver at Sea Ranch. He reportedly had been missing for 2 hours before being located.

For more information on abalone diving in Sonoma County, and some important safety tips, read our story Abalone Diving on the Sonoma Coast here.

]]> http://californiadiver.com/three-abalone-divers-killed-this-weekend-on-north-coast/feed/ 2 http://californiadiver.com/keeping-legs-strong-for-scuba-diving-is-not-for-sissies/ http://californiadiver.com/keeping-legs-strong-for-scuba-diving-is-not-for-sissies/#comments Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:08:20 +0000 Gretchen Ashton http://californiadiver.com/?p=6314 When exercising the legs to keep them strong for scuba diving it is important to develop  muscle strength, endurance and flexibility.  The legs must be versatile for diving activities which place unique demands on the body.  During this leg workout divers will benefit from imagining themselves: safely rising from a seated position under the weight of gear; climbing boat ladders; traversing uneven shore terrain; turtling distances on the surface, moving against and across currents; kicking into high gear in an emergency; positioning the body for underwater photography; maintaining overall self-control preventing collisions with reefs and other divers with efficient fin-kick swimming.

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Words and Photos by Gretchen M. Ashton, CFT, SFT, SFN, NBFE
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Divers also need to be particularly aware of balanced leg strength to maximize equipment design.  The most ideal set of fins will function better with good muscle balance and biomechanics of the legs.  The focus of this fitness for diving workout is training the muscles of the legs, for strength, endurance and flexibility to aid in proper function of the hip and knee joints.

Body Mechanics

Most leg exercises train more than one muscle group with each movement.  Without getting overly complicated, a close stance targets the outer thigh (abductors), but in the same position simply pressing the thighs together as if squeezing a ball between the knees focuses on the inner thigh (adductors).  A wide stance targets the inner thigh (adductors), yet in the same position pressing away from the center of the body against resistance targets the outer thigh (abductors).  Squats target the front upper thigh while leg extensions target the front lower thigh (quadriceps).  The quadriceps muscles extend the knee joint so resistance against extension of the knee joint trains the front of the thigh (quadriceps). The hamstring muscles flex the knee joint so resistance during flexion of the knee trains the back of the thigh (hamstrings). These muscles of the upper leg also act on the hip joint. In the lower leg the calf muscles assist forward movement when walking and fin-kick swimming.

Leg strength and endurance may also be developed with many forms of aerobic exercise such as walking, running, jumping rope, cycling, group exercise classes, dancing, hiking, swimming, and sports activities. Leg muscle imbalance can affect gait, foot, hip and back comfort when performing aerobic activities possibly leading to injuries, pain and interruption of exercise programs.

Stretching is important for flexibility and muscle balance.  For example, tight hamstrings often lead to low back complications and pain, and tight quadriceps may pull the knee cap (patella) out of alignment.  A few minutes of stretching every morning will make a noticeable difference in how divers feel and move.   Stretching is best performed after a warm-up or a hot shower.

Location

The featured exercises are performed outside in a local park but with a bit of ingenuity the workout can be completed at a fitness facility or other indoor location. Some gyms have Sissy Squat apparatus that divers can lock their feet into instead of holding a rope or strap.

Equipment

All that is needed for this workout is a good pair of athletic shoes, a strong cotton jump rope or strap, a dumbbell, and a set of stairs or curb (preferably with a railing).  A sturdy tree trunk works well in lieu of a railing and a large rock might even do the trick instead of a dumbbell. It is not recommended to use exercise cables or jump ropes that stretch, diving weights that contain lead, or scuba tanks that lack good hand holds. It is also very important to hold the rope or strap not just the handles.

Breathing

For all of the exercises in this workout inhale through the nose before starting the exercise and during the downward motion; exhale through the mouth during the upward motion (during exertion).  If additional breathes are needed during hold positions, work to keep the rhythm and timing of the additional breathes in sequence with the exercise.

Form

Distribute body weight evenly throughout the muscles of the lower body and keep the abdominal muscles contracted during all exercises.

Repetitions

Perform as many repetitions of each exercise as possible in one minute.  Repeat the entire sequence one to four times.

Exercise:  Sissy Squat – Close Stance

Sissy squat starting position

Wrap a non-stretch rope or strap around a railing, pole or tree as shown.  With feet in a close stance, rise as high as possible onto the toes.  Lean back slightly and use the rope to suspend the position.  Sit back into a squat as if reaching for a chair that is just a bit too far behind.  Establish a position of right angles at the knees and hips.

Sissy squat beginner

Sissy squat intermediate

Sissy squat advanced

Hold this position for 3 to 5 seconds, return to the starting position and repeat.  For more challenge continue to lean back and press the hips upward by squeezing the glutes.  Be sure to maintain the 90 degree angle at the knees. Progress over a period of weeks from beginner to advanced.

Exercise Wide Stance Squat

Establish a wide stance as shown. Look down each leg to make sure that the hip, knee and toe are aligned. Hold a dumbbell or other weighted object in front of the hips with elbows slightly bent.  Sit back and down reaching for that chair or bench that is too far behind.

Above: Wide Stance Squats starting and squat positions

Once in the seated position, the knee, hip and ankle joints are to be as as close as possible to right angles. At the bottom of the squat, squeeze the glutes (buttocks) to reverse the direction of the squat. Note: Do not lock out the knees at the top of the range of motion. Always look up (never look down) when performing a squat.

Exercise:  Step Down

Stand sideways with one foot on a step or platform and the other foot suspended at the same height alongside as shown.  Hold a railing or carefully balance while bending the knee of the supported leg and lowering the suspended foot toward the ground.

Above: Step down starting and step positions

Hover for a few seconds in the lower position before contracting the glutes and leg muscles straightening the supported leg and returning to the starting position. In the lower position the knee of the supported leg may be over the toes.  If there is any pressure through the knee or the knee moves well beyond the toes, stop the exercise and reposition the supported foot in a more forward position in relation to the body.  Make sure to move the buttocks out behind the body slightly when bending the knee to help with proper form.

Exercise:  Calf Raise

Finish the workout with calf raises. Position a single foot with the heel off of a step or platform as shown.  Press on the toes, contract the glutes and raise the heel high above the toe to contract the muscles of the calf.  With control, lower the heel and repeat.  Bend the knee of the working leg slightly, hold a railing if needed for balance, and pause at the top for a few seconds to maximize the exercise.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said 200 air hoses were involved in the recall.

The hoses are meant to connect regulators to the air tank pressure gauge. But the company has received one report of a leaking hose, which could pose a drowning threat to scuba divers, the agency said.

The phrase, “Scuba Diving High Pressure hose I.D. 3/16 (4.76 mm) W.P. 5000 PSI Exceeds SAE 100RT braid with Kevlar fiber from Dupont,” is printed on the hose’s outside cover in white lettering.

The hoses have metal fittings — one female, one male — at either end.

They were sold from November 2011 through June 2012 for about $35.

Consumers were advised to stop using the hoses and contact Trident Diving Equipment for a free replacement.

Consumers can call 800-234-3483 for information.

California recently completed an historic overhaul of how it manages its coastal waters by revising and expanding its system of marine protected areas (MPAs). This system of MPAs is the largest scientifically based network in the U.S. and second largest in the world. How California accomplished this consequential achievement is the subject of a March special issue of the journal Ocean and Coastal Management released last month. Articles analyze the challenges, achievements and lessons learned in the public MPA planning processes.

Under a mandate from the state’s 1999 Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), California’s network of MPAs designated by the California Fish and Wildlife Commission have greatly increased the proportion of state waters protected. The resulting network designates approximately 9.4 percent of state waters as “no-take” MPAs, and about 16 percent of state waters are now under some form of protection, which is a dramatic increase in coverage. Informed by science and crafted with significant stakeholder involvement, California’s new network of 124 designated areas (including 119 MPAs and five recreational management areas, all managed within the network)  replaced 63 existing MPAs that were mostly small (covering just 2.7 percent of state waters, with less than ¼ percent in no-take MPAs) and considered ineffective. The area covered by the MPAs represents approximately 60 percent of all no-take MPAs within the waters of the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Planning for this network of MPAs yields important lessons for other planning efforts globally.

The special issue of Ocean and Coastal Management includes nine articles by key participants from the MLPA Initiative, an innovative public-private partnership between the California Natural Resources Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation. The Initiative was tasked with helping the state redesign its MPAs in conjunction with stakeholders, scientists, experts, resource managers, policy-makers and the public. The articles have now been made available for free download at the journal website.

“This special issue provides an important record of the MLPA Initiative’s work and how California conducted public processes to design an improved system of MPAs and therefore provides important lessons that can inform other similar efforts,” said Mary Gleason, senior scientist at The Nature Conservancy.

“The network of MPAs was designed by stakeholders with guidance from scientists, managing agencies, experts, members of the public and policy-makers, to meet the six goals of the MLPA, while also allowing for human uses of marine resources – understandably a complicated task that involved tradeoffs and compromises but with the vision that the MPA network will provide long-term benefits to California and our marine environment,” said Ken Wiseman, executive director of the MLPA Initiative.

Informed by scientific guidance intended to increase benefits and ecological connections among individual MPAs, this improved network is also globally significant.

“Completing the nation’s first statewide open coast system of marine protected areas strengthens California’s ongoing commitment to conserve marine life for future generations,” said Charlton H. Bonham, director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. “This statewide system will also benefit fish and fishermen in California for generations to come. And, the science shows that by protecting sensitive ocean and coastal habitats, marine life flourishes and in turn, creates a healthier system overall.”

The California Fish and Game Commission, the decision-making authority under the MLPA, acted on the basis of recommendations delivered by the MLPA Initiative, which conducted four regional public planning processes between 2005 and 2011. California’s MLPA calls for redesigning the state’s existing MPAs to meet specific goals to increase coherence and effectiveness in protecting the state’s marine life, habitats, ecosystems and natural heritage as well as to improve recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems subject to minimal human disturbance.

Critical to successfully completing the new MPA network planning processes were some distinctive elements that are highlighted in the special issue, including:

• Certain enabling conditions were in place in California to support the public MPA network planning: a legislative act, political support and sufficient funding to support a multi-year effort.
• The MLPA Initiative was a public-private partnership structured through formal agreements and charged with working with stakeholders, scientists, experts, resource managers, policy-makers and the public to develop recommendations for an improved network of MPAs.
• The MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF), composed of experienced policy makers, provided oversight to the process and forwarded final recommendations to the California Fish and Game Commission. The BRTF played a crucial role in managing complex and contentious issues, balancing tradeoffs and maintaining momentum toward completing the planning processes.
• The MLPA Master Plan Science Advisory Team provided robust scientific guidance and assessment, including developing simple guidelines for MPA network design based on ecological principles intended to support achieving the six MLPA goals. Marine scientists from many institutions participated in the planning process, including researchers from the University of California campuses at Davis, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz and Ecotrust who developed mathematical models to project the fisheries costs and benefits, in terms of both economics and conservation, of the proposed MPAs. Contract technical support provided additional science capacity and developed new interactive, spatially explicit decision support tools, including MarineMap.
• The MLPA Initiative overcame some of the challenges of prior statewide planning efforts, unsuccessful in part due to the size and complexity of California’s coast, by sequencing the work of the MLPA Initiative into four coastal regions which allowed planning and stakeholder engagement at more appropriate scales.

• The MLPA Initiative was controversial and confronted a variety of political and legal challenges. Some fishing interests strongly opposed the process and viewed MPAs, which in part limit fishing in specific areas, as unnecessary for fisheries already subject to other regulations. Other stakeholders judged the redesigned and adopted MPAs as insufficient to meet the ecosystem protection goals of the MLPA.
• An important challenge to adaptively managing MPAs over the long-term will be to demonstrate success in meeting the goals of the MLPA, including rebuilding or sustaining marine life populations.

“Science dictated the establishment of these MPAs, and their success will be reflected in data acquired through cost-effective monitoring. We are confident that monitoring will show the same results as elsewhere in the oceans: MPAs work.” said Mike Weber, program officer with the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation.

Design of the MPA network aimed to meet science and design feasibility guidelines to help achieve the identified goals; final decisions in each region necessarily reflected tradeoffs needed to garner public acceptance and support for implementing the MPAs. California is developing mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the MPA network in the coming years, including establishing the MPA Monitoring Enterprise and a process for periodic review and adaptive management of MPAs. The first periodic review will take place in 2013 for the central coast, affording the first opportunity to test the adaptive management aspect of the MLPA.

“This first-of-its-kind network of MPAs in the United States shows how citizens can work with their government to apply the best of science to create a lasting ocean legacy for future generations,” observed Meg Caldwell, executive director of the Center for Ocean Solutions at Stanford University in California.

Two Southern California men recently pleaded no contest to misdemeanor Fish and Game Code violations in Los Angeles Superior Court. They were each ordered to:

• Serve three years’ probation;

• Pay a $2,405 fine;

• Pay an additional $1,000 fine to the Department of Fish and Wildlife to be used to implement wildlife preservation policies;

• Successfully complete a 3- to 5-unit marine biology course at a local college;

• Serve 40 hours of community service, and

• Forfeit diving and fishing gear.

Wade Anthony Curtatola of Rancho Cucamonga was diving off Catalina Island on Sept. 29, 2012, the opening day of lobster season. With no other boats in the area, a warden went into the water near where Curtatola surfaced behind a boat in 30 feet of water and found a spear gun and game bag filled with a horn shark, four abalone and 13 lobster tails. Samples of genetic materials taken from Curtatola’s equipment matched the species found in the dive bag. Curtatola pleaded to misdemeanor counts of taking abalone in a closed area, over-limit of lobster and possession of tailed lobster.

“All it takes is one drop of blood, or a few cells from an animal to make positive identifications of illegally taken species,” said Lt. Eric Kord, CDFW Law Enforcement. “CDFW and our partners are using the latest tools and technology to help protect California’s resources.”

Bruce Allen Boyd of Oceanside was fishing off Catalina Island the same day, Sept. 29, when wildlife officers boarded his boat for an inspection. Wildlife officers found a dive bag with a large abalone concealed in a trash can. The abalone was photographed and returned to the ocean. Boyd was charged with one violation and pleaded to a misdemeanor count of taking abalone in a closed area.

It has been illegal to take abalone since 1997 in the southern half of the state (San Francisco Bay south to Mexican border) due to over fishing, disease and sea otter predation.

“We have seen a pretty sharp rise in abalone poaching here in Southern California over the last 18 months or so,” said Kord. “Most anglers are responsible fishermen and know the laws; the enforcement is to protect resources from the rest.”

Illegally taking abalone has some of the highest penalties in the Fish and Game Code, and can include of up to a year in jail, fines in the thousands of dollars, permanent loss of fishing licenses and confiscation of fishing and diving gear.

Horn Shark, Catalina Island. Photo by Ed Bierman (Creative Commons).