The Laguna Bluebelt Coalition has opened its annual photo contest dedicated to documenting the rebounding of fish and sea creatures in Laguna Beach’s Marine Protected Areas.
At the same time, the group continues to try to rally support from city officials for extending the protections along 1.2 miles of South Laguna beaches and coves.
“Laguna’s MPAs are providing a sanctuary for sea life to recover and thrive in what is now recognized as ‘Southern California’s aquarium,’ attracting scientists and ocean enthusiasts to see first-hand historic improvements in an area that was once unfortunately over-fished,” said Anne Girtz, a Bluebelt member announcing that the Laguna Bluebelt Photo Contest is now taking entries.
The contest, now in its 14th year, is open to professional and amateur photographers. Submissions are due by June 22. For the first time, a kids’ category — open to photographers 13 and younger — will be included. An artist reception is planned for August.
Over the years, Bluebelt members have pointed to the photographs as evidence of how well the protected coves have rebounded with marine life following the designation of the MPAs by the state. There are 124 MPAs statewide, with 50 in Southern California. They were created to help restore heavily fished and impacted sections of the California coastline.
Last year, the Bluebelt Coalition, following the positive results of a review of the first decade of the MPA program, submitted in a petition with the California Fish and Game Commission for a boundary extension from Aliso Beach through Three Arch Bay, to make the area a no-take, no-fishing zone like the rest of the beachtown’s protected shoreline.
Local commercial sportfishing charters and lobster fishermen oppose the idea, saying the loss of access to some of the only allowed nearby fishing areas would negatively affect their livelihood and the legacy of making a living from the sea.
In February, coalition members had hoped the Laguna Beach City Council would lend its support to the effort, giving more weight to their request. But council members, who also heard from speakers representing the fishing community who opposed the idea, asked the commission to conduct more studies on the pros and cons of extending the protections.
Mike Beanan, co-founder of Laguna Bluebelt and heavily involved in obtaining the initial MPA designation for the northern part of town, said he and others from the coalition recently testified on Zoom with the wildlife commission.
“The city’s Environmental Committee has endorsed the petition,” he said. “This is the City Council’s chance to support full cityside sea life protection and make environmental history as the first California city with full protection.”
The state commission is expected to have a full-day hearing on the extension, likely in early summer.
Participants can enter the contest at lagunabluebelt.org. Judges this year include director and cinematographer Greg MacGillivary, a Laguna Beach resident nominated for two Academy Awards for “The Living Sea” and “Dolphins;” Julianne Steers, a marine biologist and conservation photographer; and Rich German, founder of Project O, photographer and environmental advocate.