Clockwise from top left : Laguna Bluebelt Coalition ’ s booth at the Coast Film & Music Festival ; foundation volunteers ( from left ) John Ehlers , Charlotte Masarik , Jinger Wallace , Suzi McDuffie and Mike Beanan at the Marine Protected Area information booth ; Beanan , the organization ’ s co-founder , at Thousand Steps Beach |
T he Laguna Bluebelt Coalition brings together organizations and people with a common goal of protecting and restoring local marine life , conserving biological diversity and maintaining healthy , sustainable marine habitats . Developed organically in 2008 , the group works to create and advance Marine Protected Areas in Laguna Beach and restore its marine life and habitat . “ The Laguna Bluebelt Coalition has become recognized as a dynamic example of community collaboration and success . Most of the community now accepts and even promotes Laguna ’ s MPAs ,” says cofounder Mike Beanan . “ For more than 10 years , the City Council and staff have worked with us to perfect the necessary policies and procedures needed for successful MPAs . Support from Marine Safety lifeguards and community activists plays a leading role in overcoming obstacles to
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create citywide enforcement of rules and regulations protecting marine life .”
Beanan says the coalition was designed to promote collaboration among all stakeholder groups , including fishing interests and wastewater agencies , to follow the science in negotiating the boundaries of Laguna ’ s MPAs . The early Laguna Bluebelt Coalition model now also serves as a template for 14 statewide collaboratives managing California ’ s MPAs .
“ The coalition has demonstrated an MPA in a highly urbanized area can succeed by working together with all stakeholders and relevant agencies ,” Beanan says . “ The Laguna Bluebelt is now a showcase example of sea life recovery with widespread community support . However , protecting the ocean and sea life is never done and we continue multiple efforts to improve ocean water quality for sea life to survive and thrive .”
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TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM LEFT : JINGER WALLACE ; TOP RIGHT : ROSEMARY BOYD |
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