CenCal represents divers in northern and central California. What's it good for? It's good for Access -

Ever dive Carmel River Beach? The Monterey Land Use Plan wanted to ban divers from crossing the beach except at either end. Constant and persistent CenCal testimony to the Coastal Commission prevented access restriction.

Ever dive Fort Ross? CenCal kept the Park open early for divers when Parks and Rec wanted to open at 10 am.

Ever dive Lovers Point Cove? The City of Pacific Grove passed an ordinance preventing diving in the Cove for five months each year. CenCal initiated successful litigation to prevent total closure.

Ever dive Stillwater Cove on the 17 Mile Drive? You can thank CenCal for collecting the usage data and being persistent before the Coastal Commission. The result was not only access but bathrooms, parking and a pier. Issues at 17 Mile Drive are continuous.

Ever dive Monastery Beach? Again the Monterey Land Use Plan would have closed all parking or built parking on the far side of the highway - sometime. CenCal kept the parking open and is still working with Parks and Recreation on better and safer parking.

Ever Want to Dive the Farallons? Well maybe not, but you can if you want because CenCal worked when a nine mile closure was planned.

Its good for information: Ever get a ticket for your inflatable boat? Some years ago the Coast Guard began ticketing - with every right - inflatable boats for many irregularities. CenCal got all the regulations on paper, created a pamphlet and sent it to all stores selling inflatables, all dive stores, all dive clubs, so boat owners now know! Pamphlets are available on request.

CenCal has produced informational pamphlets on diving Stillwater, Lovers Cove and inflatable boat regulations. These are free and always available.

Current access issues concern the 17 Mile Drive, Monterey and San Simeon.

It is good for regional diving activities: CenCal purchases insurance yearly which allows diving tournaments, educational events, u/w hockey games and so on. CenCal Committees could purchase insurance to hold these events, but the cost would be prohibitive. The same is true for the clubs, and clubs holding special events may 'ride' on CenCal's insurance policy. For details, cost and information, contact the Council.

It's good for Marine Resources: Some issues cover both access and marine ecology: There was concern over access and inflatable boating in the New Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The boating issue is solved, and a diver now sits on the new Sanctuary Advisory Committee.

CenCal worked for the Prop 132 Reserve Initiative. This initiative banned inshore gill nets in Southern California and provided for four reserves. After a bad bounce from the Attorney General, CenCal worked and achieved locations for the new reserves that have little impact on recreational diving.

On the Marine Resources front, its good for abalone.

CenCal collected thousands of signatures opposing any commercial abalone fishery on the north coast. There is now a law preventing such a fishery! CenCal sits on the DFG Recreational Abalone Advisory Committee working to solve problems. CenCal did not give up hope of an Abalone Stamp to provide funds for enforcement and research for abalone.

In 1997 CenCal worked tirelessly to gain passage of SB 463 which provided for the Abalone Stamp, closed recreational and commercial abalone harvest south of the Golden Gate Bridge (including off shore Islands) and provided for recovery of the abalone resource. The Measure passed and was signed by the Governor!

And for halibut - halibut were under great pressure, and CenCal provided expertise at meetings to change the "experimental" halibut fishery that was demolishing the fish population, tearing up the bottom and wasting incredible amounts of "incidental catch."

No one opposes sea otters, but CenCal has worked to keep a balanced perspective on the furry critters and supports zonal management.

Even dive for lobster? CenCal works with the other three California Councils on issues to benefit divers. Lobster season now opens a little earlier for divers.

Nearshore long lining was a hot issue, and proposed legislative action was passed and signed with support and testimony by the council. The current issue is the declining rockfish populations.

And it's good for sensible laws: Divers do not have to "carry their fishing licenses on their person" as a result of a law the councils initiated.

It's good for divers who want underwater photography contests, for free divers who want competition, for u/w hockey players who want to go to world championships. CenCal has all these activities under its umbrella too. These activities are entirely self supporting without benefit from Cen Cal income which is mainly from dues.

It's good for information: main contact with members and others is through the newsletter, Odyssey ,issued six times a year to keep divers informed of the California diving world with some information on the nation and the world. The rules and regulations for Stillwater, Lovers and inflatables and information on abalone regulations are printed annually in the newsletter.

It's good for education: CenCal also has an annual Marine Science Scholarship. A $500 Grant is given to a worthy California diving college student each year.

And for Diver Education - CenCal has hosted a "Warden's Night" to discuss and explain Department of Fish and Game regulations. CenCal Free Diving Seminars proved very popular with all divers. New in 1999 was the CenCal Divers Day Educational Forum; this is an annual, all day forum held in March.

CenCal provides an annual Tide Table for each member.

It's good for dive clubs: CenCal works for divers and marine resources, but there are benefits for dive clubs too. An annual "Where the Clubs Meet and When" is printed and distributed to those looking for a dive club. CenCal believes club diving is safe diving. CenCal has a booth the local Dive Show where dive clubs may have their promotional material available for handout.

If it sounds as if CenCal is a busy organization, it is. Keeping up with the legislature, Fish and Game, Parks & Recreation, Monterey Bay Sanctuary, Pacific Grove, the Coastal Commission, etc. is a full time job, and it is managed by all volunteers. More bodies are always welcome and needed. It takes a lot of work to be wary and beware.

And That's CenCal and What It Does for Divers....