Ocean protections kick in on Saturday

<p>American Indians are gathering at Stewarts Point today to bless fishing grounds that will close Saturday under new state marine life protection act rules.</p><p>The changes will affect abalone hunters and fishermen used to harvesting in the waters off of Stewart's Point. But beginning Saturday 153 square miles of ocean between Santa Cruz and Pt. Arena become part of the state's new marine preserve system.</p><p>The North Central Coast area is the second region of the state to be designated a preserve as required by the 1999 Marine Life Protection Act. It includes 21 marine preserves, three recreation management areas and six special closure zones.</p><p>Fishing is banned completely in about 56 percent of the designated areas, or about 86 square miles.</p><p>The event at Stewarts Point is at noon on the coastal ranchlands of Arch Richardson.</p><p>Maps and regulations can be found at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/ and clicking on the "North Central Coast" button in the center column of the page.</p><p>For more information, call the California Department of Fish and Game at (916) 322-8911.</p>