Quick Take
The California Fish and Game Commission voted Wednesday to deny petitions to expand and create new no-take marine protected areas in Santa Cruz County.
The California Fish and Game Commission voted Wednesday to deny petitions to expand and create new no-take marine protected areas in Santa Cruz County.
The two petitions, proposed by environmental protection advocacy group Environment California and ocean conservation group Azul, sought to create the new protected areas. One would have expanded the marine protected area already in place at Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve by nearly 14 miles, while the other would have created a new approximately 10-mile protected area near Pleasure Point.
The proposals drew opposition from local elected officials, surfers, and the fishing industry.
If approved, the proposed no-take areas would have prohibited fishing and the removal of marine life, plants or other natural materials from the area.
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