Civil war erupts as Indigenous tribe moves to ban fishing in coastal California enclave

A bitter battle is brewing along California’s Central Coast as an Indigenous tribe pushes to create a protected ocean zone that could sharply limit fishing — sparking fears among local fishermen that their livelihoods are on the line.The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has filed a proposal to create a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) stretching from Morro Rock to the local dog beach near Morro Bay.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.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.“The original petition proposed the allowance of recreational take of finfish and invertebrates except mussels and scallops,” Claire Waggoner, a manager with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Region Habitat Conservation Program, told KSBY News.“So it would’ve still continued to allow some recreational take.”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.The possible restrictions have triggered backlash from fishing families who say the move could devastate a community built around the ocean.“It’s our livelihood,” Lori French, the wife of a Morro Bay fisherman, told the outlet.

“It’s his identity.It’s not like you just go to work and shut the job off.”French said the proposed protected zone covers waters used to fish Dungeness crab, rock crab, halibut and salmon.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.“The fishermen are involved, trying to get the word out,” French told KSBY.

“In ...