California Department of Fish and Game Director Ryan Broddrick announced today a panel of science advisors to assist in redesigning marine protected areas along the north central California coast. The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Master Plan Science Advisory Team (SAT) will provide scientific support for the MLPA Initiative.

"Establishing a network of marine protected areas along the north central coast is a next step in implementing the provisions of the MLPA," Broddrick said. "The scientists I have appointed to the advisory team have experience and expertise in marine resources conservation and will work to ensure the actions taken to implement the MLPA continue to be science-based."

The appointed members of the SAT include:
?Ģ Dr. Sarah Allen, Point Reyes National Seashore
?Ģ Dr. Eric Bjorkstedt, NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center
?Ģ Dr. Mark Carr, University of California, Santa Cruz
?Ģ Dr. Chris Costello, University of California, Santa Barbara
?Ģ Dr. Steve Gaines, University of California, Santa Barbara
?Ģ Mr. Dominic Gregorio, State Water Resources Control Board
?Ģ Dr. Caroline Hermans, U.S. Geological Survey
?Ģ Dr. Ray Hilborn, University of Washington
?Ģ Dr. John Largier, Bodega Marine Lab, University of California, Davis
?Ģ Mr. Gerry McChesney, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
?Ģ Dr. Steve Morgan, Bodega Marine Lab, University of California, Davis
?Ģ Dr. Karina Nielson, Sonoma State University
?Ģ Dr. Pete Raimondi, Long Marine Lab, University of California, Santa Cruz
?Ģ Dr. Astrid Scholz, Ecotrust
?Ģ Mr. John Ugoretz, California Department of Fish and Game
?Ģ Dr. Carl Walters, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia

Members of the SAT are charged with assisting DFG and the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force in reviewing and commenting on scientific papers relevant to the implementation of the MLPA, reviewing alternative marine protected area (MPA) proposals, and addressing scientific questions raised by the Task Force or the regional stakeholder group.

"The advice of the SAT will be critical to the work of the Task Force and regional stakeholders," said Susan Golding, chair of the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force.

The MLPA directs the state to redesign California's system of MPAs to aid in the protection of marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems, and marine natural heritage, as well as to improve recreational, educational and research opportunities provided by marine ecosystems. MPAs include state marine conservation areas, state marine parks, and state marine reserves.

The California Fish and Game Commission is the ultimate decision-making authority for implementing the MLPA. The principal mission of the Task Force, SAT and regional stakeholder group is to provide information and recommendations to the Commission to facilitate sound policy decisions in implementing the MLPA. The Commission will be asked to adopt MPAs in each study region along California's coast. Recommendations for the current north central study region, which spans from Alder Creek in Mendocino County, just north of Point Arena, to Pigeon Point in San Mateo County, will be developed between now and December 2008.

On April 13, 2007, the Commission adopted regulations to create MPAs for the central coast region, which extends from Pigeon Point in San Mateo County south to Point Conception in Santa Barbara County. These MPAs were the first to be designated and implemented under the MLPA. The regulations will go into effect later this year after the appropriate approval from the Office of Administrative Law and filing with Secretary of State.