On August 24, 2001, the California Department of Fish and Game (Department) and NOAA's Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (Sanctuary) will recommend to the California Fish and Game Commission the formation of a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the Channel Islands. This recommendation represents the culmination of more than two years of concentrated consensus-based discussions and deliberation among a variety of interest groups. Drawing from the work of the Marine Reserves Working Group and their technical advisors, and consistent with the Sanctuary Advisory Council's (SAC's) recommendation calling for agency completion of a proposal, the Sanctuary and the Department have finalized the recommendation contained in the enclosed document.

In finalizing this recommendation, the Department and the Sanctuary worked to honor SAC advice provided on June 19 by continuing to support an open planning process based on extensive stakeholder consultations. A Working Draft Recommendation was distributed to all participants in July, the draft reserve network map was posted on the Sanctuary's web site, and the draft proposal was featured in local newspaper coverage. Sanctuary and Department staff also briefed the Marine Subcommittee of the Fish and Game Commission at a public meeting in July. Additionally, the Sanctuary and Department worked directly with stakeholders at a well-attended public meeting of the SA'õs Fishing Working Group that engaged both recreational and commercial fishermen, and also participated in meetings of the conservation community and with freedivers. A majority of the MRWG members, several SAC representatives, and the general public submitted detailed written comments. In addition, staff have worked daily with stakeholders. All of this work with the community over the past six weeks has shaped the final recommendation.

This document, A Recommendation for Marine Protected Areas in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuay (available below,) presents the preferred alternative visually in the form of a map, along with in-depth descriptions of each proposed MPA. In addition, it contains a detailed analysis of ecological representation and maximum possible economic impacts. These analyses are represented in summary format as well as detailed for the individual reserve sites. The Fish and Game Commission will also receive the full public record at the meeting.

An agenda for the August 24th Fish and Game Commission meeting can be printed from the following web site: www.dfg.ca.gov/fg_comm.