I Provide access and facilities for water contact and non-contact recreation in the Bay. 168 San Diego Bay provides recreational opportunities ranging from boating, wind surfing and fishing to hiking and bird watching. It is a significant draw for the region's tourism industry largely because of these recreational features. Likewise, the ability to enjoy San Diego Bay is a benefit to local residents and enhances their quality of life. However, it is important to balance these recreational benefits with the need to preserve and protect the water quality of San Diego Bay and its associated native plant, animal and marine life.
Many recreational activities have little to no adverse environmental impact.
However, others could potentially lead to pollution or be otherwise disruptive. The following framework seeks to provide guidelines for both encouraging recreation on and around San Diego Bay while maintaining a reasonable balance between recreation and the environment. Strategy A Provide adequate recreational fisheries access and facilities, including pier, shore and vessel fishing in the bay where environmentally appropriate. 169 Tactic Identify areas in the Bay with abundant fish stocks that have little or no body burdens of toxic materials, including existing pier, shore and vessel access and facilities convenient to those areas and existing, or expected recreational fishing demand. Analyze findings to identify areas and types of access and facilities needing enhancement.