Posted by Dr. Bill Bushing on May 26, 2003 at 18:08:44:
In Reply to: Why should I give a rats ass what you think? posted by Eric Frasco on May 07, 2003 at 23:13:19:
Will-
I haven't heard such nonsense since I graded a freshman paper 35 years ago.
I do care what you think... as long as you likewise respect the views of those of us who are non-consumptive "users" of our State waters. However, your posting does not suggest you do.
You asked Will if he were a diver. Well, so you don't need to ask me, I have been a diver for 41+ years, 35 of them in southern California waters. I wonder if you are even that old based on the "logic" in your postings.
I have seen first-hand the degradation of our marine environment. It is not a myth. If you need to be convinced, dive the Casino Dive Park and then comparable areas nearby where fishing has been allowed. If you don't see the difference, simply open your eyes.
I am a tax-paying diver. I own property in LA County. I elected 28 years ago to stop taking marine life because of my observations.
My scientific research over 35 years has been used in proposals to set aside MPA's for Catalina waters. I am well-qualified to give such input since I have been a kelp forest ecologist for decades and have studied the effects of MPA's on conserving species AND in stocking adjacent areas so fishing there can improve.
I hear from many uninformed people like yourself that MPA's don't work. Today I was diving the Casino Dive Park and for the umpteenth time I saw the "sport" fishing boat Freelance anchored right off the Dive Park. If MPA's don't work, why do charter boats fish right adjacent to them.
Go do your homework and leave this debate until you have something intelligent to add.
Dr. Bill