Months ago I asked the dive community's assistance in getting a particular party fishing boat, the Freelance, to abide by the City of Avalon ordinance that prohibits vessels from anchoring within 300 feet of the dive park. The community responded fantastically and the Freelance, after checking with our Harbor Master on the regulations, agreed to abide with them. I am pleased to say that based on personal observations and reports from local boat operators, the Freelance has done just that. Thank you, Don.
However there have been other boats which have tested this (I assume knowingly). This weekend the "Sport King" anchored within 300 ft. I called the Harbor Master who sent a patrol boat out and the Sport King left the scene. Today the "Patriot" anchored at a distance I felt was within 300 ft of the park. The harbor patrol went out and felt they were an adequate distance away ("what does it matter if they are 250 or 300 ft away?" Well, because the ordinance specifically states 300 ft).
Given these two incidents, I would like to ask the SoCal dive community to keep an eye on party boats that are at anchor within 300 ft of the dive park (or fishing in other restricted areas such as the Lover's Cove or USC reserves) on Catalina. If possible take pictures or video of the encroachment with notes regarding what you observed and any actions taken. Witnesses names and contact info would also be useful.
I intend to maintain a collection of reports on such violations to present to our city council for strict enforcement. I feel our harbor master acts timely and fairly on such issues when they are reported. There are others who may not since they are fishermen and may be more sympathetic to these boats (we do have diving harbor dept. personnel and they are great).
Please report any such violations and include images or video. You can notify me via e-mail at bushing@post.harvard.edu.
I also plan to use such reports when the proposed marine reserves around Catalina are finally brought up for action under the Marine Life Protection Act. I feel the best evidence we have that marine reserves work is the fact that these charter fishing boats are fishing right outside (or even inside) their boundaries. Compelling evidence to refute their charges that marine reserves do not work IMHO.
Thanks again to all those who helped with the Freelance situation. They have shown themselves to be honorable. I hope the other boats will as well.
However there have been other boats which have tested this (I assume knowingly). This weekend the "Sport King" anchored within 300 ft. I called the Harbor Master who sent a patrol boat out and the Sport King left the scene. Today the "Patriot" anchored at a distance I felt was within 300 ft of the park. The harbor patrol went out and felt they were an adequate distance away ("what does it matter if they are 250 or 300 ft away?" Well, because the ordinance specifically states 300 ft).
Given these two incidents, I would like to ask the SoCal dive community to keep an eye on party boats that are at anchor within 300 ft of the dive park (or fishing in other restricted areas such as the Lover's Cove or USC reserves) on Catalina. If possible take pictures or video of the encroachment with notes regarding what you observed and any actions taken. Witnesses names and contact info would also be useful.
I intend to maintain a collection of reports on such violations to present to our city council for strict enforcement. I feel our harbor master acts timely and fairly on such issues when they are reported. There are others who may not since they are fishermen and may be more sympathetic to these boats (we do have diving harbor dept. personnel and they are great).
Please report any such violations and include images or video. You can notify me via e-mail at bushing@post.harvard.edu.
I also plan to use such reports when the proposed marine reserves around Catalina are finally brought up for action under the Marine Life Protection Act. I feel the best evidence we have that marine reserves work is the fact that these charter fishing boats are fishing right outside (or even inside) their boundaries. Compelling evidence to refute their charges that marine reserves do not work IMHO.
Thanks again to all those who helped with the Freelance situation. They have shown themselves to be honorable. I hope the other boats will as well.
