Personal Watercraft Use in the Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary
Joe Peterson
Should Personal Watercraft be allowed unrestricted access to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary?
Monterey Bay National Marine SanctuaryEstablished by Congress in 1992
1 of 16 NMS
5,300 square miles of open ocean
360 miles of coastline
Largest federally protected area in the lower 48 states
Jet-Ski vs. PWC
PWC and the MBNMSPWC- Personal Watercraft
1992 ban vs. 2008 ban
Code of Federal RegulationsTitle 15 Section922.132(a)(7)
Designated Operating Zones
Zone 5
Policy ContextPublic access and use of communal resourcesProtection of marine ecosystems
MBNMS Management Hierarchy
Environmental GroupsConcerned about impacts to ocean
environmentValue undisturbed natural environment for
marine speciesCommon Tern colonies
PWC UsersEconomic stimulus to Monterey regionValue lifesaving capabilities of PWCSion Milosky & Gerard Butler
Policy Option Effectiveness Community Acceptance
Continue ban of PWCs except in designated operating areas
Pros: Limits negative effects to marine species
Cons: Small number of marine species can be negatively affected
Pros: Most people are not affected
Cons: Surfers are unable to use PWCs
Lift ban on PWCs, allow full access to Sanctuary
Cons: Marine species at risk of being disturbed
Pros: Increase in local economy
Cons: Many people upset at disturbance to marine species
Limit the number of PWCs through a permitting system
Pros: Marine species not disturbed
Cons: Possibility of disturbance to marine species
Pros: PWC users are held accountable
Cons: Increased cost of permit system
RecommendationAllow a limited number of PWCs, through a
permit system, unrestricted accessBest solution for all stakeholdersNo increase in negative impacts to marine
speciesEconomic stimulus to Monterey regionSafety net for big wave surfers