Personal Watercraft Use in the Monterey Bay National Marine

Sanctuary

Joe Peterson

Should Personal Watercraft be allowed unrestricted access to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary?

Monterey Bay National Marine SanctuaryEstablished by Congress in 1992

1 of 16 NMS

5,300 square miles of open ocean

360 miles of coastline

Largest federally protected area in the lower 48 states

Jet-Ski vs. PWC

PWC and the MBNMSPWC- Personal Watercraft

1992 ban vs. 2008 ban

Code of Federal RegulationsTitle 15 Section922.132(a)(7)

Designated Operating Zones

Zone 5

Policy ContextPublic access and use of communal resourcesProtection of marine ecosystems

MBNMS Management Hierarchy

Environmental GroupsConcerned about impacts to ocean

environmentValue undisturbed natural environment for

marine speciesCommon Tern colonies

PWC UsersEconomic stimulus to Monterey regionValue lifesaving capabilities of PWCSion Milosky & Gerard Butler

Policy Option Effectiveness Community Acceptance

Continue ban of PWCs except in designated operating areas

Pros: Limits negative effects to marine species

Cons: Small number of marine species can be negatively affected

Pros: Most people are not affected

Cons: Surfers are unable to use PWCs

Lift ban on PWCs, allow full access to Sanctuary

Cons: Marine species at risk of being disturbed

Pros: Increase in local economy

Cons: Many people upset at disturbance to marine species

Limit the number of PWCs through a permitting system

Pros: Marine species not disturbed

Cons: Possibility of disturbance to marine species

Pros: PWC users are held accountable

Cons: Increased cost of permit system

RecommendationAllow a limited number of PWCs, through a

permit system, unrestricted accessBest solution for all stakeholdersNo increase in negative impacts to marine

speciesEconomic stimulus to Monterey regionSafety net for big wave surfers