CALIFORNIA FISH & GAME COMMISSION UPHOLDS PINK SHRIMP TRAWL CLOSURE IN STATE WATERS
CALIFORNIA FISH & GAME COMMISSION UPHOLDS PINK SHRIMP TRAWL CLOSURE IN STATE WATERS,
DECEMBER MEETING WILL DECIDE HALIBUT TRAWL FISHERY
Decision to Move Forward With Bottom Trawl Bill Implementation an
Important Victory for Anglers and Californians
CONCORD, Calif. (October 11, 2007) — The California Fish & Game Commission announced it would move forward with the state’s bottom trawl legislation and close the pink shrimp trawl fishery in state waters on January 1, 2008. The decision was announced at today’s commission meeting following testimony from a wide range of stakeholders representing varying viewpoints.
Representatives of United Anglers of Southern California (UASC), an Irvine, California-based sport fishing organization pledged to protect the marine environment and the interests of recreational fishermen, heralded this as an important decision for the health of our coastal waters. “Stopping this destructive commercial fishery is a big win for all of us, and the commission should be commended for moving forward with this closure,” said Tom Raftican, UASC President. The bottom trawl bill (SB1459) — which was signed into law in 2005 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger — established a timeline for examining and potentially stopping destructive bottom trawl practices in California state waters.
UASC played an active role in helping the commission to reach this decision. Raftican and UASC attorney April Wakeman came to the Concord meeting bearing a science-based, 181-page white paper detailing the environmental harm caused in California waters by bottom trawling gear. They also gave the commission an in-depth PowerPoint presentation that graphically demonstrated the destructive nature of the pink shrimp trawl fishery, in terms of specific habitat destruction, bycatch and water quality issues. Noted scientist and aquarist Dr. Dallas Weaver also spoke in support of UASC’s position, providing scientific justification for closing this fishery in state waters.
The bottom trawl legislation provided for the closure of the pink shrimp trawl fishery on January 1, 2008, unless representatives of the fishery could prove to the commission that it could continue without excessive bycatch or damage to the marine environment. In the end, the commission found that those representing the fishery were unable to meet this burden of proof.
While this was an important victory, there is still much work to be done, warns Raftican. “In a short while, we’ll be going through a similar process with the halibut bottom trawl fishery. The commission will be deciding whether or not to close additional state waters to this harmful form of fishing, effective April 1, 2008. We need recreational anglers to attend this meeting and support our efforts to keep this destructive gear out of our state’s waters.” The meeting will take place in Sacramento on December 6, 2007.
There’s a direct connection between destructive commercial fishing gear—such as bottom trawls, longlines and gillnets— and recreational fishing access, explained Raftican. “When these heavy-handed gear types are allowed continue unabated and wreak havoc on our marine environment and resources, we find ourselves facing drastic measures like the proposed MLPA closures up and down our coast. It’s a clear case where the interests of a few people making money on a resource are out of balance with those of low-impact recreational anglers and the public in general. This is why we’ve put so much emphasis over the recent years on the removal of non-selective, destructive, industrial fishing gear from California waters,” added Raftican.
For more information on the upcoming December Fish and Game Commission meeting, or the ongoing activities of United Anglers of Southern California, call (949) 863-9447 or visit the organization’s website at www.unitedanglers.com.
DECEMBER MEETING WILL DECIDE HALIBUT TRAWL FISHERY
Decision to Move Forward With Bottom Trawl Bill Implementation an
Important Victory for Anglers and Californians
CONCORD, Calif. (October 11, 2007) — The California Fish & Game Commission announced it would move forward with the state’s bottom trawl legislation and close the pink shrimp trawl fishery in state waters on January 1, 2008. The decision was announced at today’s commission meeting following testimony from a wide range of stakeholders representing varying viewpoints.
Representatives of United Anglers of Southern California (UASC), an Irvine, California-based sport fishing organization pledged to protect the marine environment and the interests of recreational fishermen, heralded this as an important decision for the health of our coastal waters. “Stopping this destructive commercial fishery is a big win for all of us, and the commission should be commended for moving forward with this closure,” said Tom Raftican, UASC President. The bottom trawl bill (SB1459) — which was signed into law in 2005 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger — established a timeline for examining and potentially stopping destructive bottom trawl practices in California state waters.
UASC played an active role in helping the commission to reach this decision. Raftican and UASC attorney April Wakeman came to the Concord meeting bearing a science-based, 181-page white paper detailing the environmental harm caused in California waters by bottom trawling gear. They also gave the commission an in-depth PowerPoint presentation that graphically demonstrated the destructive nature of the pink shrimp trawl fishery, in terms of specific habitat destruction, bycatch and water quality issues. Noted scientist and aquarist Dr. Dallas Weaver also spoke in support of UASC’s position, providing scientific justification for closing this fishery in state waters.
The bottom trawl legislation provided for the closure of the pink shrimp trawl fishery on January 1, 2008, unless representatives of the fishery could prove to the commission that it could continue without excessive bycatch or damage to the marine environment. In the end, the commission found that those representing the fishery were unable to meet this burden of proof.
While this was an important victory, there is still much work to be done, warns Raftican. “In a short while, we’ll be going through a similar process with the halibut bottom trawl fishery. The commission will be deciding whether or not to close additional state waters to this harmful form of fishing, effective April 1, 2008. We need recreational anglers to attend this meeting and support our efforts to keep this destructive gear out of our state’s waters.” The meeting will take place in Sacramento on December 6, 2007.
There’s a direct connection between destructive commercial fishing gear—such as bottom trawls, longlines and gillnets— and recreational fishing access, explained Raftican. “When these heavy-handed gear types are allowed continue unabated and wreak havoc on our marine environment and resources, we find ourselves facing drastic measures like the proposed MLPA closures up and down our coast. It’s a clear case where the interests of a few people making money on a resource are out of balance with those of low-impact recreational anglers and the public in general. This is why we’ve put so much emphasis over the recent years on the removal of non-selective, destructive, industrial fishing gear from California waters,” added Raftican.
For more information on the upcoming December Fish and Game Commission meeting, or the ongoing activities of United Anglers of Southern California, call (949) 863-9447 or visit the organization’s website at www.unitedanglers.com.
