Letter writers in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones Both of the letters [published last week (“Oceans need protection from overfishing, armchair biologists,” “Southern Californians must stand up for our oceans’, wildlife’s health,” Feb. 2, Page 6)] were written by WiLDCOAST personnel, the first by Dr. Dedina, executive director, and the other by Ms. Casteneda, communications director. The clear inference is that since both of these people represent a nonprofit environmental organization that they have formal training in marine science-related disciplines. Dr. Dedina has an undergraduate degree in political science and graduate degrees in geography. Ms. Casteneda has a degree in communications. Therefore, the argument that Mr. Carl Lind is an “armchair biologist” is spurious at best, and slanderous at worst, since the personnel making this accusation have, themselves, apparently received no formal training in the marine sciences. The examples cited as proof that establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) will allow ecosystems to rebound is an old concept. It is obvious that if you do not harvest a given species, individuals will live longer, become larger and reproduce more. No one argues that. The concept of restoring an ecosystem by restricting the take of ALL species rather than establishing season, size and bag limits on harvested species effectively destroys any hope of rational ecosystem management Both WiLDCOAST writers cited the restoration of Cabo Pulmo at the tip of Baja California. There were some conceptual flaws in the manner in which the data from this site were evaluated; if one read and understood the original paper, these actual or potential flaws would have been seen. But why use an example from a tropical reef system in Baja California to make a point when there has been a no-take reserve off La Jolla for a quarter century? Is there no good example in our backyard? There are several excellent examples of small Mexican villages recognizing they have been overfishing their resources and have initiated bag, season and size limits on exploited species, thus guaranteeing the replenishment of the marine resources upon which they survive. This has occurred at Bahia Tortugas and La Bocana on the west coast of Baja California. The major cash crops of both villages are lobsters and abalone. Both villages have abalone hatcheries, allow controlled fishing and have effective marine game wardens to prevent poaching. Let’s get away from the “sky is falling” and look toward effective, yet balanced, management strategies. Much can be accomplished with rational, flexible controls. — David W. Valentine, Ph.D, La Jolla Setting the record straight on community controversy In a letter written by Kim Whitney, published in a recent edition of the Noticias de La Jolla Village (“Custodians of La Jolla’s codes must be up to code themselves,” Feb. 2, Page 6), my name is mentioned and there are a few misstatements that I believe justify some clarification. Mrs. Whitney was responding to a letter I wrote that was published in another newspaper (La Jolla Light, Jan. 26). Editing errors in the Kim Whitney letter assert that I am a trustee of the LJCPA. I am not a trustee of LJCPA, nor do I sit on any LJCPA or La Jolla Shores committee. Another editing error makes it seem as if I am a neighbor of the Whitneys and at sometime acted as their architect. This is not correct. I have never met the Whitneys and, although I was born and have lived in La Jolla for 60 years, I do not reside in La Jolla Shores. With regard to the matter of code compliance issues at the Naegle residence, it is my understanding the Whitneys first complained about the acquisition of building permits issued many years ago. I believe it has been determined that the permits were properly issued and that matter was resolved. The Whitneys are now upset about the conversion of one tandem parking space into an elevator space. This conversion was necessary to allow second-floor access for Dale Naegle, who suffered from polio and had been finding negotiating stairs more and more difficult. I most certainly can forgive the Naegles for making this necessary alteration. The American’s With Disabilities Act may have figured in the city’s decision to allow the conversion. I also believe the letter misrepresents Mike Stepner’s part in the creation of the La Jolla Shores PDO. Mr Stepner was not the sole author of the document. I think he had a little help from a few others. In my letter, when I asked, “Who is Mike Stepner?” I was being a bit facetious, posing a metaphorical question; pondering Mr. Stepner’s appointment as expert on La Jolla Shores lifestyle and spokesman for the community. In closing, I would like to urge the Whitneys put their bitterness aside, quit picking on invalids and widows, and begin working with the community to find a successful resolution for their project. — Fritz Liebhardt, La Jolla