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The Whalers Cove Boat Ramp Should Remain Open to Divers
Marc Shargel, October 2022
One hundred twenty-five years ago, divers launched wooden boats from the Whalers’ Cove ramp in Point Lobos State Reserve. It was probably the first compressed-air diving ever done in California. That ramp was a door to the entire Central Coast for those Japanese abalone divers, and a gateway to riches. Forty-four years ago I followed those underwater pioneers, doing my first dive from a boat launched from the same historic ramp, and it became my door to the natural riches beneath Carmel Bay and the south Carmel Coast as far as Yankee Point, Garrapata State Park, and beyond. I was so compelled to visit those areas over and over that in 2006 I bought a boat which I selected specifically so I could launch it at Point Lobos. That ramp has enabled divers access to the waters south of the Monterey Peninsula for a century and a quarter, interrupted only briefly by World War II.
Until very recently, that is. Point Lobos is managed by California State Parks, who have in recent years become hostile to divers, slowly ratcheting down the number of divers allowed to enter, escalating special fees imposed only on divers and boaters, and most recently placing extreme restrictions on use of the boat ramp at Whalers’ Cove that effectively deny me access to waters from Carmel Bay to Point Sur. This shortsighted and ill-advised decision adversely affects divers who conduct important monitoring, instruction, underwater photography and recreation in the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on the Central Coast.
Some time during the Covid pandemic, State Parks District Manager Sean James
• reduced the number of divers who may dive at Point Lobos from 30 to 20 (15 teams to 10)
• made the optional diver registration system obligatory
• restricted boaters to diving within two tiny coves, and not navigating beyond them
• limited the number of boats launching at the park to two per day, including kayaks
all without any stakeholder process or even notification to the diving community who use the ramp. His rationale is apparently that there have been some bad actors who have threatened the fragile ecosystem in the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve (SMR). That SMR was created and mapped in part by divers (including this writer) and with the vocal support of the diving community. At the time of its creation (2007) there was discussion about the need for stakeholder buy-in and citizen enforcement, both principles that Mr. James has abandoned.
James’ action is ill-advised and possibly illegal, restricting important activities by divers that benefit the MPAs and alienating important allies in the State’s effort to protect and restore marine life on the Central Coast. For example:
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Private divers conduct ongoing assessments of the kelp forests, which are endangered and dying, providing critical data for researchers and state regulators regarding how to preserve this critical natural resource. Restriction of boaters using the Whalers Cove ramp will make these assessments impossible.
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Private divers have been proactive in assisting the State Park employees in maintaining and enhancing both the boat ramp and the sensitive marine habitat. Divers have cleaned and repaired the boat ramp and removed junk tires from the cove.
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Boating divers have also assisted State employees by monitoring and reporting illegal fishing activities in the MPAs, assistance we cannot offer under the new rules.
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Diving photographers have taken photos inside and outside the park’s waters publicizing the rich marine wildlife there.
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At least two dive charter businesses had conducted boat trips from the park into surrounding waters (one boat traveling from Monterey and loading divers at Whalers’ Cove, the other launching from the Whalers’ Cove ramp). Those business activities would now appear to be prohibited.
James’ decision violates at least the spirit of the MLPA. The public was assured during the adoption process that marine protected area designation would not limit navigation nor non-consumptive activities. It undermines a key goal of the legislation:
“[To] improve recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems that are subject to minimal human disturbance, and to manage these uses in a manner consistent with protecting biodiversity.”
Restricting use of the ramp is also counter to the mission of the Parks Department:
“[T]o provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity … and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.”
District Manager James’ decision is a slap in the face to the diving community, which strongly supported the MLPA and who are advocates and partners in protecting MPAs. The fact that there have been a small number of incidents indicates ignorance and inadequate outreach, not malice, and does not justify James’ decision to deny use of the boat ramp. Education and enforcement is the proper response, yet to my knowledge there has been no effort to announce, publicize, explain or enforce the rules with the public and to the diving community prior to this draconian separation of California citizens from their natural resources. Even the Point Lobos website fails to fully explain the restrictive boating rules that are now being enforced.
Please join me in demanding that District Manager Sean James reverse his decision to severely limit use of the Whalers Cove boat ramp and to instead partner with the diving community to conduct an educational campaign to explain environmentally friendly conduct to all boat ramp users.
Signed,
Marc Shargel