By DON DUBUC

Surfer outfits, peroxide blonde hair and Beach Boys music.

Back in the late 60s and early 70s those were fads that started in southern California and swept popularly eastward across the country. Every fisherman in the nation should pray that last week’s action there does not become a national trend.

California Gov. Gray Davis along with the State Fish and Game Commission shut down all fishing in a 175 square mile area in the coastal waters surrounding the Channel Islands off Santa Barbara.

Following the vote, what was once a prime sportfishing area is now a “no-fishing zone” labeled as a Marine Protected Area (MPA).

MPAs, in theory as sanctuaries, benefit fish populations in adjacent areas.

Supposedly they allow target species to grow older and larger, produce more young and ultimately replenish fished areas with juveniles and adults. But the scientific community is split as to whether they will actually help or hurt fishing and fishing economics.

Speaking of economics, according to an analysis by the natural resources consulting firm, Southwick Associates, this closure will result in annual losses of retail sales to the tune of $50 million – not to mention the denial of thousands of anglers the opportunity to participate in their passion.

OK but that is out in crazy California, right? Could not ever happen here in Sportsman’s Paradise? Hardly. There are similar movements already underway in other coastal states including Oregon, Massachusetts and right here in the Gulf of Mexico – Florida.

Tom Raftican, president of United Anglers of Southern California one of many sportfishing groups uniting against MPAs issued a warning following California’s decision.

“California anglers have just been knocked flat by the train leaving the station. Other states need to take notice because they’re next,” Raftican said.

Determined not to allow the California decision to become a precedent, a coalition of sportfishing organizations led by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), is launching a “Freedom To Fish” campaign. Its focal point is getting the Freedom To Fish Act, now pending in Congress, passed.

To join the Freedom To Fish campaign to protect fish and citizens opportunity to go fishing, visit www.FreedomToFish.org. I was never too wild about the Beach Boys anyway.

When is east really west?

As duck season opens next Saturday, it is important to understand the state’s easily confused East/West Zones. For example, the lower Pearl River WMA is in the “West” Zone and areas just north of Lafayette are in the “East” Zone.

Going strictly by geographical positions, waterfowl hunters could unknowingly be violating the law by hunting in closed areas.

Here is the zone description: Beginning at the Arkansas-Louisiana border on Louisiana Highway 3; then south along Louisiana Highway 3 to Bossier City; then east along Interstate 20 to Minden; then south along Louisiana Highway 7 to Ringgold; then east along Louisiana Highway 4 to Jonesboro; then south along U.S. Highway 167 to Lafayette.

From Lafayette eastward is where the confusion comes in. From Lafayette the border becomes actually north and south of U.S. Highway 90 to the Mississippi state line. For a map outlining the zone boundaries and a complete listing of this season’s bag limits by species get a copy of the Louisiana Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations pamphlet available where licenses are sold or refer to the LDWF Web site at www.wlf.state.la.us.

Important changes for 2002-03 to note are: Pintail (1 per day) can only be take during a special 30 period within the season.

Canvasback season is CLOSED statewide (being able to identify them in flight is mandatory).

Goose seasons are statewide not East/West zoned.

DON DUBUC is the outdoors reporter for L’Observateur.