{"id":921785,"date":"2026-07-08T22:16:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T22:16:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/921785\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T22:16:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T22:16:13","slug":"central-california-fishermen-push-back-on-proposed-tribal-fishing-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/921785\/","title":{"rendered":"Central California fishermen push back on proposed tribal fishing ban"},"content":{"rendered":"

A bitter battle is brewing along California\u2019s Central Coast as an Indigenous tribe<\/a> pushes to create a protected ocean zone that could sharply limit fishing \u2014 sparking fears among local fishermen that their livelihoods are on the line.<\/p>\n

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians<\/a> has filed a proposal to create a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) stretching from Morro Rock to the local dog beach near Morro Bay.<\/p>\n

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has filed a proposal to create a new Marine Protected Area stretching from Morro Rock to the local dog beach near Morro Bay. Getty Images<\/p>\n

The proposal was among 20 Marine Protected Area petitions submitted to the California Fish and Game Commission<\/a> in 2023, alongside dozens of other requested rule changes.<\/p>\n

The original petition would have allowed some recreational fishing, but that changed earlier this year when the tribe requested an amendment that would reserve fishing access only for Chumash members.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe original petition proposed the allowance of recreational take of finfish and invertebrates except mussels and scallops,\u201d Claire Waggoner, a manager with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Region Habitat Conservation Program, told KSBY News<\/a>. \u201cSo it would\u2019ve still continued to allow some recreational take.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The proposal was among 20 Marine Protected Area petitions submitted to the California Fish and Game Commission in 2023, alongside dozens of other requested rule changes. Getty Images\/Cavan Images RF<\/p>\n

Waggoner told KSBY that an amendment submitted by the tribe in April changed the proposal by limiting fishing activities inside the protected area to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.<\/p>\n

The possible restrictions have triggered backlash from fishing families who say the move could devastate a community built around the ocean.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s our livelihood,\u201d Lori French, the wife of a Morro Bay fisherman, told the outlet. \u201cIt\u2019s his identity. It\u2019s not like you just go to work and shut the job off.\u201d<\/p>\n

French said the proposed protected zone covers waters used to fish Dungeness crab, rock crab, halibut and salmon.<\/p>\n

The proposed protected zone covers waters used to fish Dungeness crab, rock crab, halibut and salmon. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/p>\n

She claimed local fishermen have struggled to get their concerns heard during the approval process and warned that the economic consequences could ripple through the entire area.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fishermen are involved, trying to get the word out,\u201d French told KSBY. \u201cIn the whole MPA process, we have been, I would say, ignored\u2026 For the fishermen, it would have a devastating economic impact and for the town, for Morro Bay, I think it would be pretty severe also.\u201d<\/p>\n

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said its review process considers several factors, including whether a proposal meets the goals of the Marine Life Protection Act, fits into California\u2019s existing network of protected waters, and whether it involves tribal participation.<\/p>\n

The tribe requested an amendment that would reserve fishing access only for Chumash members.
Getty Images<\/p>\n

Waggoner told KSBY that the agency\u2019s review does not determine whether the proposal will ultimately pass.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s beyond our evaluation,\u201d Waggoner said. \u201cThe commission has a lot of things that they can factor into their decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Chumash tribe defended the proposal, saying the goal is to preserve culturally significant waters and protect marine ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Tribal Chairman Kenneth Khan told KSBY in a statement that the tribe wants to work with the state to protect important coastal areas.<\/p>\n

The tribe has since asked officials to consider changes that would allow some recreational activities while maintaining protections for the area. Joe Sohm\/Visions of America\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal, as the only federally recognized Chumash tribe in the nation, is to help protect the biodiversity and cultural resources in the waters along the central coast through co-management with the state,\u201d Khan told KSBY. \u201cWe filed the Chitqawi MPA petition in 2023 to protect the northernmost coastal Chumash village site that is culturally and historically important to the tribe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Khan said the tribe has since asked officials to consider changes that would allow some recreational activities while maintaining protections for the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recently asked the California Fish and Game Commission to consider adjusting the petition so that it would accommodate some recreational users while still being considered sufficiently protective to qualify as an MPA,\u201d Khan told KSBY. \u201cThis is an ongoing process, and our hope is to find a way to ensure these waters remain protected into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Fish and Game Commission is expected to release its recommendation before its August meeting, but a final decision is not expected until October. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Fish and Game Commission is expected to release a recommendation before its August meeting, but a final decision is not expected until October.<\/p>\n

Even if approved, the new restrictions would not happen overnight. Officials estimate implementation could take two to five years because the proposal would still need environmental reviews, including analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act, along with additional public input.<\/p>\n

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