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Residents, environmental group urge council to back Laguna Blue Belt marine protected area petition
Summary
A public commenter representing the Laguna Blue Belt Coalition asked the council to support a petition to add 1.3 square miles of kelp and nearshore habitat to California’s marine protected areas during the state’s ten‑year review of MPAs.
At the June 24 meeting the Laguna Blue Belt Coalition asked the city council to express support for a local petition to expand marine protected areas (MPAs) off Laguna Beach by roughly 1.3 square miles to protect kelp habitat and nearshore species. The speaker, Mike Beena, described the decadal review process now underway and urged council support to guide the California Fish and Game Commission.
Beena cited science advising larger MPA size for ecological effectiveness and noted the petition’s goal to protect critical kelp habitat that supports fish and invertebrate populations. Several council members asked staff about prior letters the city sent requesting a process for local government engagement during MPA review; staff reported the city previously sent input to the Fish and Game Commission asking for a formal local engagement process and that the commission will consider process options at its July meeting.
Council did not take a formal vote on the petition at the meeting; members asked staff to continue conversations and provided verbal support for a process that would give local governments a clear role in evaluation of MPA changes.
