If you look closely, you might still see a fishing hook stuck in the craw of Kelly Boyd, former Laguna Beach mayor, original homesteader descendent, and often called “Mr. Laguna.”
After more than 10 years of not fishing in Laguna Beach because of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Boyd, like many die-hard conservationist fishermen, believes it’s time to reconsider.
Reconsider the heavy hand of government. Reconsider how many of Laguna’s spiny lobsters are left fallow. Reconsider the economics of a decimated small fishing business.
“I used to fish this area all the time,” Boyd said. “It irritates me that everyone wants to have control over something. The government is so involved in so many things; it irritates the hell out of me.”
Back in the day, the MPA was needed. Important fish populations were dangerously low. The reefs were nearly barren. Global warming was believed to exacerbate matters.
Within just a few years after the MPA designation and subsequent fishing ban in October 2011, things started to turn around. But there was a cost.
The estimated financial impact of the ban for commercial fisherman out of Dana Point was about 20 percent, according to state documents. For recreational fisherman, the range was 3-30 percent, depending on the fish. Some estimates were higher.
Those relying on lobster, Calico bass, white croakers and California sheephead saw the most financial impact.
There are still areas open to fishing: Crystal Cove to the north of Laguna, and Dana Point to the south.
But there is nothing like doing some free diving at Shaw’s Cove during lobster season and walking home with dinner. That’s not happening anymore, and it probably won’t for the foreseeable future.
“It’s not right,” said Boyd. “I fished pretty much all my life. Leave things alone. Get out of our lives.”
Scuba divers and others say they have never seen so many lobsters.
But according to the MPA, “it is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.”
With Laguna Beach taking control of the southern beaches from the county, perhaps now is the time to revisit some of the details of the MPA rules.
Why not, for example, allow recreational shore fishing at West Street Beach? It’s a wide beach not used for skimming or tourist-intensive activities. There’s plenty of room for a father to teach his son or daughter a lost art – and survival skill.
Let’s be clear, there are some activities in life that are closely tied to “inalienable rights.” Which means people get emotional when you take them away.
The state believes it is doing the right thing by protecting marine resources and allowing species to replenish. But when is it enough?
And would that boy with a fishing pole at West Street Beach really hurt anything?
This is not global commercial outfits slaughtering whales. This is not shark fin soup.
This is the loss of something primal, essential and sacred.
