Ventura County Wary of Sanctuary Expansion

Ventura County may ask Federal officials to consider impacts on boating, dredging and commercial fishing as they study updating the boundaries of the Channel Island National Marine Sanctuary. Under consideration are five boundary alternatives, including one that would extend the Marine Sanctuary to the shoreline from Point Sal to Point Magu. While the Ventura County Harbor Commission has stated its support for the sanctuary's ecological health, it favors keeping the boundaries three miles offshore to avoid additional regulations on harbor dredging and restrictions on commercial fishing.