This is SO typical of the methodology of the pro MR/MPA folks as to be laughable if not so serious.

First, lets set forth some indisputable facts albeit old news to most here. Prior to becoming a Commissioner Mr. Jennings is on record as wanting half of Puget Sound in a no-take zone which is, per Mr. Baker, a Marine Reserve (MR). NO fishingI! NO crabbing! NO NOTHING!!!! (well, a MR does not preclude diving does it???)

Furthermore, Mr. Jennings, knowing he was to be appointed as a Commissioner, submitted a number of rule change proposals just before the cutoff in June 2009 to include one to create a "world class dive site" by putting much of this same area off limits to fishermen effectively making it a Marine Reserve. (sound familiar??) For reasons not officially documented, that proposal was pulled by Staff and did not receive review/comment by interested parties prior nor was it included in the proposed rules made public and subject to four public meetings. However, during this period Commissioner Jennings unabashedly promoted his proposal on several diver oriented web sites requesting that readers write the Commission in support of that proposed rule change BEFORE IT BECAME PUBLIC! This was all accomplished under the alias Biodiversity Guy and without acknowledgment that he was a Commissioner. Talk about devious! Why would we trust him now and why would we trust those who makes excuses for him and his behavior?

Sorry Mr. Baker, no excuses for Commissioner Jennings. He is a perfect example of the type of zealot who needs to be contained.

As to the need for any further closures keep in mind that all areas deeper than 120 feet are off limits to bottom fishing and are effectively an MPA which will allow rock fish to grow old and big and reach maximum fecundity with dispersal of larvae to adjacent near shore waters. Also, let us not forget the huge MPA just off the NW coast presumably having the same effect. At the last public meeting which was held in Olympia WDFW Staff had NO data on the current or future effectiveness of those areas as sources of rock fish replenishment to near shore areas. I know because I asked the question.

Finally, as for this specific proposal the supporting information from WDFW cites improvements to non-consumptive users' experiences rather than to any biological need. Yup, just Jennings' initial proposal reconstituted.