Respected Members of the Fish & Game Commission,
Senator Dianne Feinstein,
Senator Barbara Boxer,
Representative Anna Eshoo
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of environmental stewardship.
I am writing today to urge you to support Packages 2R and 3R in Monday’s vote on the proposed Marine Protected Areas in California, and to oppose Package P. Only packages 2R and 3R protect the scenic and economic resources of the Monterey Carmel near-shore areas, allowing maximum benefit to the community.
My family visits Monterey approximately 20 – 35 times/year, primarily for tourism and scuba diving. Our usual budget for a trip is $90 dive-related, plus parking and a $30 – $45 dinner out. While I prefer the maximum conservation approach of Package 2R, I view Package 3R, the staff recommended alternative, as a good compromise between recreational use and preservation. Package P would drop our visits by 2/3 to 3/4.
An important piece of Packages 2R and 3R is the prohibition on commercial kelp cutting. Decimation of near-shore surface kelp also disappoints tourists and kayakers, who have come to see the kelp and the sea otters lounging about in it. Kelp removal turns a uniquely Monterey seaside vista into a generic seaside vista, to the detriment of the experience. A visit to Monterey is always on our agenda when we have out of town guests, and several times I’ve had to apologize!
Both 2R and 3R prohibit spear fishing competitions, which destroy several thousand pounds of slow-growing, commercially and recreationally valuable fish within a 4 – 6 hour period. These fish would otherwise attract snorkelers, divers, glass-bottom boat tours, etc. The diving and kayaking industries in the Monterey area draw thousands, if not tens of thousands, of visitors annually.
Sincerely,
Strata R Chalup
Woman Small Business Owner (Virtual.Net Inc)
California Resident since 1991
US Citizen (3rd generation)
Donor: EFF, Heifer Project, American Red Cross, Grameen Foundation, NRDC, MoveOn
Relentless Inquiry 
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