Posted by msblucow on October 28, 2002 at 23:25:06:
In Reply to: MLPA Closures. posted by Steve on October 28, 2002 at 11:54:39:
I guess from an enforcement point of view, a total recreational ban in these areas would be easier to deal with than a partial one, but other than that I see no real advantage to what you propose.
I hold up as an example Casino Point. Now here is a marine park that, using your reasoning, should be a barren wasteland. I know of no other area that gets as hammered by more inexperienced, bouyancy-challenged divers on a weekly basis. Yet the area boasts an abundant kelp forest and a large, healthy population of sheephead, kelpbass, lobsters, octopi, moray eels etc.....
I honestly don't see sightseeing as having the same intrusive impact as consumptive recreational activities so, no, I don't support your idea. If you can find any scientific data to support you hypothesis, I'd be interested in hearing it though.