GOLETA, Calif. — Community members, environmental advocates and fishing industry representatives gathered in Goleta this week for a public hearing on proposed changes to California’s marine protected areas, known as MPAs.
The California Fish and Game Commission is currently reviewing proposals that could expand, reduce or maintain the state’s network of marine protected areas along the coastline.
The hearing is part of a broader statewide review process aimed at evaluating how well current protections are preserving marine ecosystems and supporting ocean biodiversity…