An their Sept. 15 meeting, the Lompoc City Council approved a letter of consideration be submitted to the California Fish and Game Commission in a 4-1 vote, backing a change to the Vandenberg Marine Reserve that would permit fishing at Surf Beach.
Mayor Jim Mosby, Mayor Pro Tem Dirk Starbuck and Councilmembers Victor Vega and Steve Bridge voted yes. Councilmember Jeremy Ball voted no.
The proposal concerns hook-and-line fishing in part of the marine reserve. During discussion, Mosby said the request was the latest step in an effort the city had been pursuing for about seven years.
He said the state commission’s review of the marine reserve was now reaching a stage where the city’s request could be taken up, with additional discussion expected in October.
Mosby also responded to questions about snowy plover protections and the extent of the proposed change, saying it would apply only to a limited section of the reserve and would not remove existing bird protections.
Several residents spoke about the environmental importance of Surf Beach and about the possible consequences of allowing fishing there again.
One longtime Lompoc resident said she had spent years at Surf Beach and supported protections for snowy plovers. She said she had fished there before and recalled the impacts such as trash, plastic and fishing line that could harm marine life.
“I would hate to see it come back, because we’ve done such a good job in protecting an invaluable marine environment,” she said.
Another resident, Aaron Crocker, said he often visits Surf Beach and had no view on reopening it because he didn’t have enough information. He questioned whether the council had adequately consulted residents before choosing to send the letter.