Last Wednesday night about 40 Oceanside boaters spoke before the Oceanside City Council during the public comment period following a presentation by City Staff recommending a whopping $425,000 increase in fees at Oceanside Harbor.
 
The good news is that a motion to have no harbor fee increases at this time passed by a resounding 4-1 vote.
 
That means that Oceanside slip rental rates will continue well below Dana Point.  For example, here are the published rates for a 29' boat in both harbors:

                                       OH       DPH      Diff

  Rate/Linear foot    $9.60    $12.86     $3.26
  Rate/month        $278.40   $372.90*   $94.50

We should add that Oceanside Harbor is municipally owned and operated at break even with only a $65,000 contribution to the City's general fund.
 
Here in Dana Point, The County "owns" (harbor ownership is technically held in the Tidelands Trust ,for the benefit of the People of the State of California, but we digress) and oversees its operations, with a trust stipulation that no funds earned in the harbor may leave the Harbor.

The important distinction is that OC DPH outsources its day-to-day marina management to three master lessees who in turn operate at a profit, derived from the 20% deduction they receive from the gross marina receipts they collect less their expenses.

Effective starting today, significant permanent commercial and recreational fishing restrictions are being imposed off the Central California Coast under provisions of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA).  To learn more Click Here.
 
Now it's time for the California Department of Fish and Game to hold public hearings on alternative proposals for new MLPA enforcement off the Southern California Coast, including the Channel Islands.  Here too the potential new restrictions to fishing as we know it could be dramatic, as large marine areas may be set aside for conservation, parks and reserves (no catch zones).  To see an array (map) of one of the alternative proposals, MLP.A Alternative C, Click Here.
 
These meetings, known as the Blue Ribbon Task Force, are being held locally for two days this week at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott, Dana Point Harbor.  According to the meeting agenda, "In addition to the six draft arrays (maps) and three draft external proposals, the existing array of MPAs (Marina protection areas) will also be evaluated and reviewed."

Wednesday, April 15, 2009, starting at 9:00 am
Thursday, April 16, 2009, starting at 8:30 am

Public comment periods start at 3:00 PM on Wednesday and 8:30 AM on Thursday.

To see Dana Point meeting agenda Click Here.
To see all the proposals and coverage arrays Click Here.
To see the existing local protected area map Click Here.

About The Dana Point Boaters Association

DPBA is an education and advocacy group for the recreational boaters of Dana Point Harbor. Membership is very inexpensive and open to families interested in the many different kinds of recreational boating in Southern California, from kayaking and fishing to sailboat racing and motor cruising.