The National Oceans Conference, to be held right here in Monterey, is approaching. All the hot-shots will be present, from that bad boy Clinton, to Sam Farr and other local representatives. Local marine research institutes are buzzing with excitement and the agenda is lofty (including talk of inventorying the fishies). So how about the folks of Monterey County? Are they concerned about the oceans and do they think the conference will really make any difference?

Joe Catalano

Resides: Monterey

Occupation: Fisherman

Age: 60

Is there a crisis in the oceans? The main problem now is El Ni¤o. It''s completely destroyed the fish habitat...it was worse than usual.

Have there been any changes? Just recently, the ocean''s warmer...also, sea lions are a big problem for fishermen.

Do politicians care about the ocean? Politicians are politicians. If fishermen don''t have money for them, they don''t really do anything.

"Bonnie"

Resides: Seaside

Occupation: "Tired and retired"

Age: 61

Is there a crisis? Man has screwed up things from day one. Industries, dams... then they blame it on the fishermen.

Has the ocean here changed? Up until this year with El Ni¤o, no.

What should we change? If there''s one thing that should be monitored, it''s the paint on the bottoms of boats.

Wayne Smith

Resides: Salinas

Occupation: Refrigerator Mechanic

Age: 51

Are you concerned about the oceans? Yes. I hear what the fishermen have to contend with.

Any changes over the last decades? Not really...the beaches are cleaner. They didn''t have beach cleanup in the ''60s.

Do the politicians care? They''re going to have to. Oceans play an important part in California''s economy.

Bill Maver

Resides: Santa Cruz

Occupation: Cabinet-Maker

Age: 46

Is there an ocean crisis? People. And garbage of all sorts. Mostly chemical garbage.

Do politicians care? I think politicians are worthless in all respects.

Why are they coming? It makes a show, which is why they do everything.

Are you personally concerned? Some changes need to be made, not on the ocean side, but on the land side. Once stuff gets there, it''s too late.

Tammy Dorsey

Resides: Monterey

Occupation: Executive Assistant

Age: 30 plus

Is there a problem? Too much pollution for one thing.

Are you concerned about the oceans? About the animals in the ocean...like the sea lions and the way they get treated.

You know how fishermen feel about sea lions? I don''t give a damn. They need to get a life.