Selective education Re: “Letters writers in glass houses should not throw stones,” Feb. 9, Page 6. I would like to thank Dr. Valentine for highlighting selected portions of my educational background. Only in La Jolla would the receipt of a doctorate in geography (and doctoral research funded in part by the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission), a discipline involving the study of the natural world that dates back to ancient Greece, be considered wholly unsuitable for working in the field of coastal and marine conservation. Dr. Valentine forgot to include in his review of my career my Master of Science degree in geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. That endeavor included field research on the conservation and management of the Tijuana River Valley and Estuary, a NOAA Estuarine Research Reserve and Fish and Wildlife Serve Reserve I helped to establish. The effort included, among other things, being physically assaulted by thugs at the age of 16 for preventing the illegal destruction of the Tijuana Rivermouth, now a state of California marine protected area. Luckily, that assault, in which I was choked and punched in the head, did not shatter the glass house Dr. Valentine believes I inhabit. It is unfortunate that Dr. Valentine would dismiss the heroic efforts of penniless fishing families from the village of Cabo Pulmo who agreed to stop fishing in order to preserve the only coral reef in the Sea of Cortez and UNESCO World Heritage Site (that is one of a handful of feeding areas for whale sharks in Mexico), as a suitable model for California marine conservation initiatives. These same fishing families are now courageously battling efforts by a Spanish corporation, Hansa Urbana, to build a new mega-city larger than Cancun, adjacent to the world’s most robust marine reserve. In contrast in La Jolla, some residents are unwilling even to provide safe refuge for a small population of harbor seals, espousing a belief that only humans have the right to occupy the coast and ocean. The one issue that Dr. Valentine and I agree on is that the fishermen of the Vizcaino Peninsula in Baja California Surf, Mexico, have successfully managed their lobster and abalone fisheries for the past 50 years. I am proud of the members of our WiLDCOAST Chapters in the villages of La Bocana, Punta Abreojos and Bahia Asuncion, who have resisted efforts to develop their coastline and have valiantly fought off the efforts of armed narco-poachers to raid their fishing grounds. Our chapter members have worked with the staff of the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, Mexico’s largest federal protected area to stop the black market trade in endangered sea turtles and halt the poaching of the nearly extinct peninsular pronghorn. WiLDCOAST helped these fishermen obtain Marine Stewardship Certification for their lobster fishery and prevent the Mitsutbishi Corporation from building a 500,000-acre industrial salt-harvesting facility on the northern shore of San Ignacio Lagoon at the southern end of their fishing grounds. In addition, we helped initiate a revolving eco-loan project, the first of its kind in Mexico, to help fishermen and whale-watching guides switch from two-stroke outboard engines to less polluting and more fuel-efficient four-stroke outboards. Since 2005, WiLDCOAST has helped to conserve more than 440,000-acres of habitat around San Ignacio, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and gray whale birthing area. In addition, we recently helped Mexico’s National Protected Area Commission preserve an additional 150 miles of coastline in the region. These efforts are documented in my books, “Saving the Gray Whale” and “Wild Sea,” and are among the reasons I received the San Diego Zoological Society’s Conservation Medal and the California Coastal Commission’s “Coastal Hero” Award. The success of WiLDCOAST in supporting successfully and globally significant locally based marine conservation initiatives in the Vizcaino region is why next month I will be taking Dr. Carl Safina and a crew from the PBS series “Saving the Ocean” to document the extraordinary conservation work that has been carried out by the fishing families and WiLDCOAST Chapter members of the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve. What has most inspired me to continue my work with WiLDCOAST is the passionate commitment to conservation on the part of the fishermen south of the border that has required huge sacrifices to safeguard a sustainable future for future generations. In California, we would be wise to follow the example of the selfless behavior of these ocean heroes to preserve their coastal and marine heritage. —Serge Dedina, Ph.D., executive director, WiLDCOAST
Don’t shoot the messenger Re: The letter by Peggy Davis to the La Jolla Community Planning Association. Dear La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) and the residents of La Jolla, La Jolla continues to grow and change, but some want to “shoot the messenger” of that change. Architects and designers are the messengers of that change; they sculpt the designs that will grace La Jolla far into the future. The driving force that is behind this change is the unique geography and scenic beauty and amenities that make La Jolla one of the most desirable places to live on the West Coast. La Jolla, through its long history, has always been a community of constant change, just as the waves are constantly changing the beaches and coast. Change will occur — the real question how will that change be managed and under what guidelines? I have served the LJCPA and the La Jolla community for many years, and my view of a narrow interpretation of the Planned District Ordinance and Municipal Code has been consistent over those years. I have always advocated for good projects and fair assessment of property rights. Some seek to silence this diverse point of view. The Gatto home will be one of the “greenest” and “smartest” homes in La Jolla. The home will have a net zero footprint in energy consumption by the use of geothermal well and photovoltaic systems. The sensory system and advanced home energy management system will dynamically adjust as the microclimate changes at the site. Mrs. Davis continues to misstate the facts and misrepresent the true nature of the project. Surveyors and other consultants have certified that their project, as built, fully conforms to their approved Coastal Development Permit (CDP) and this documentation has been accepted by the city. The Gattos have worked closely with their neighbors to address any concerns during construction. They will soon move into their new home and simply wish to continue to be an active part of the La Jolla Shores Community. Mrs. Davis calls for my resignation, leveling accusations against me and my firm. These accusations are totally without merit or cause. I will continue to serve the La Jolla community and the LJCPA and advocate for property rights and the strict application of the PDO and municipal codes. She is simply trying to silence a voice for reason and fair play in the La Jolla Community. —Michael Morton, AIA, principal, Marengo Morton Architects
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