Divers Deplore Marine Life Protection Act – Spear Fishers Gather in Santa Barbara

From The Santa Barbara Independent, written by Todd Prodanovich, Sunday, July 19, 2009

 

 

Southern California’s free-diving community united on Thursday evening, July 16, for the Watermen’s Alliance Santa Barbara Social in order to discuss the future of the sport, especially the looming effects of the Marine Life Protection Act. The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum served as a melting pot for some of the biggest names in spear fishing, from outspoken conservationist and underwater videographer Dr. Terry Maas, to world-record-holding spear fisherman Bill Ernst.

 

Although the mood was light at the social gathering, the topic of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) was hotly discussed by individuals who have spent their lives at the water’s edge. “This is a fishing/no fishing law which is trying to cure the ocean’s ills by restricting [noncommercial] fisherman, when there are much greater influences impacting the marine environment,” Maas said.

 

To read more, click the following link: http://www.independent.com/news/2009/jul/19/divers-decry-marine-life-protection-act/

 

 

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