Fishing may be regulated by spring

Proposals on how to regulate fishing and protect marine life along the Southern California coast, including Newport Harbor’s, are making their way through the state and could be implemented by the spring, state officials said Thursday.

As part of a statewide move to create uniform Marine Protected Areas along the coast, a blue-ribbon task force from the California Fish and Game Commission has held meetings throughout the summer to hear concerns from the public.

Three “stakeholders” — interest groups that represent professionals who would be affected by regulations on fishing and marine protection — are expected to issue their recommendations this winter, state officials said.

Regulations are already in place for Northern California and are in the works for the Central region, but the South Coast region, from Point Conception to Mexico, is the last to be reviewed.

Among the waters that could be hit with changed or new laws are Newport Harbor and the Back Bay.

Laws aimed at protecting and replenishing wildlife could be implemented in Upper Newport Bay, which the state recognizes as a regionally important estuary.

According to the state’s policy overview, the goal of these Marine Protection Act Networks, or chain of protected waters along the coast, is to protect animal diversity, structure and function.

The laws should help sustain, conserve and protect populations, their economic value and rebuild depleted populations.

Any new or changed regulations would also aim to improve recreational, educational and study opportunities marine habitats could offer.

Thousands of people in the state have been meeting at hearings through the summer to throw in their two cents on the matter.

State officials said the final proposals are nearing completion and should be available to the public in December.

The proposals will be each stakeholder’s idea of how they would like to see Marine Protection Act laws enacted along the South Coast, with final approval coming from the Department of Fish and Game next year.

While fishing regulations might not affect Newport Harbor much, because of the heavy traffic, protections in the Back Bay could, officials said.

For more information, go to the Fish and Game Commission’s website at www.fgc.ca.gov.