AB 3030 is bad legislation. We need everyone to call in tomorrow to oppose this bill. Please follow the instructions.
Please help spread the word.
Here is an electronic copy of a letter sent by fishing and outdoor industry leaders in opposition to the AB 3030 legislation that has been proposed and will radically cut off access to even more of California’s public waters and land. Visit the CCA CAL site where they make it easy for your voice to be heard!
“July 17, 2020
The Honorable Henry Stern
State Capitol, Room 5080
Sacramento, CA 94249-0027
Re: AB 3030 (Kalra) – Oppose Unless Amended
Dear Senator Stern:
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we regretfully inform you of our continued “Oppose, Unless Amended”position on AB 3030 (Kalra).
Over the last few weeks, we have engaged in extensive dialogue with the sponsors of the measure. The conversations have been informative about the intentions of the sponsors, the purpose of the bill as they see it, and allowing for dialogue over our interpretation and concerns. Unfortunately, the sponsors have downplayed our concerns and largely rejected the most important amendments that we believe are necessary to move our organizations to a neutral position on the bill. At this point, they have terminated conversations with us and are moving forward with amendments to which we have not agreed.
We remain very concerned about the broad and sweeping nature of the bill. Unless the extent and impacts of existing protections in ocean waters are expressly acknowledged in this legislation, unnecessary fishery closures will likely result, further restricting recreational angler opportunity and possibly setting the stage for another contentious fight around the establishment of these closures. In truth, this bill reads like a resolution supporting an international framework of 30×30 protection, not a bill identifying specific threats to biodiversity or deficiencies in California’s robust environmental framework with clear metrics and actionable items that are grounded in consensus and science.
We, therefore, cannot remove our opposition at this time. We continue to seek clarity and definition around the following points:
• With improved access an alleged goal of the bill, operative language must secure – at a minimum – existing recreational fishing access unless such activities harm biodiversity.
• We have sought express operative language that makes clear that well-managed, sustainable recreational fishing activities with low ecological impacts are compatible with the protection sought in the bill. The sponsors have repeatedly refused to include this clarifying language. The objections have been disingenuous at times, including the supposed lack of definition of the word “sustainable” even while the sponsors use the obscure, undefined term “ecosystem services.” The statute must make clear, consistent with the overarching legislative goal of improving access, that there is no inherent conflict between access and biodiversity protection.
• Reference to international guidance should specify biodiversity protection rather than a reference to unidentified “objectives” and “terms” beyond or different from biodiversity protection.
• Clarification around some of the broad and ambiguous concepts in the bill that, for example, state that existing protections are insufficient (without identifying specifics).
• The bill needs clarity around the definition of “protection” so that we all have a clear vision of what is proposed if the bill becomes law. The existing, imprecise definition could lead to some interpreting the purpose of this bill as a means to restrict or deny take in our marine waters. The uncertainty around these terms – what does it mean to be “protected?”, why are existing protections not sufficient, are traditional outdoor recreational pursuits compatible with “protections?”, lead to ambiguity and confusion and concern among our communities.
The proposed language states that “it is the goal of the state to protect at least . . . 30 percent of the ocean waters off the coast of California by 2030.” No responsible angler would oppose this goal. Similarly, every responsible angler should support healthy biodiversity as well as thriving marine resources. The work our organizations do today is to support robust opportunity for anglers today, and for the generations to come. That being said, while goals of AB 3030 are potentially laudable, this goal has already been accomplished in California’s marine environment. In fact, depending on how “protections” in the bill are defined or interpreted (a matter of some concern because the term is intentionally vague, which we address elsewhere in this letter), California has exceeded the 30% protected standard in our coastal waters. This includes California’s extensive network of Marine Protected Areas, National Marine Sanctuaries, designated Essential Fish Habitat and Habitat Areas of Particular Concern, and other “protected” spaces. MPA’s alone already account for over 16% of State waters by themselves.
California is already a leader in the management of marine habitats and living marine resources. The PFMC, which includes representation from the State of California, works with the National Marine Fisheries Service to manage fisheries in federal waters off the coast of California.
In fact, many species found in State waters, such as salmon and dozens of groundfish species, are managed by the Council. Measures taken by the Council have resulted in the rebuilding of west coast groundfish stocks. Out of 90 groundfish stocks, many of which had been depleted decades ago, all have been rebuilt through strict management measures save for one species (yellow eye rockfish) that is rebuilding well ahead of schedule.
Current management of fishery resources in waters off the coast of California already provides the “protections” being sought in the bill, both in percentage scope and mission. The Council, working with environmental NGOs, has prohibited the take of unmanaged forage fisheries. Vast stretches of the ocean floor have been protected. The Council is guided by a Fishery Ecosystem Plan drafted and revised by the Ecosystem Workgroup. The Council also has a standing Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel to provide advice. Bottom trawling, a high impact commercial fishing practice, is strictly limited in both federal and state waters. Drift gillnets are being phased out (with the support of the recreational community).
Other fishery practices, especially those practiced by recreational anglers, have low ecological impacts and thus already meet the goal of protecting ocean waters.
Further, conversations with the sponsors have illuminated the scope and magnitude of the concerns they are seeking to address with this bill. Those items, among others, consist of pollution by onshore runoff, ocean acidification, rising sea temperatures, and more. The proposed legislative findings also make specific reference to a loss of terrestrial biodiversity, loss of terrestrial natural areas, risk of extinction of terrestrial species, and climate change.
Enacting further fishery restrictions would have no benefit, of course, to terrestrial species or on factors influencing climate change. Marine heatwaves and ocean acidification are real challenges but cannot be genuinely or symbolically addressed by fishery closures.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN) states that fishing is compatible within a marine protected area provided it has “a low ecological impact, [is] sustainable and [is] well managed as part of an integrated approach to management”. Whatever abuses of the ocean ecosystem that may exist around the world, the marine waters of California are already well-protected through a combination of federal and state measures. This protection already exceeds the 30 percent goal of this legislation. We are justifiably concerned that this legislation, if not amended to recognize these existing protections and integrated approach, will serve as a vehicle to introduce additional fishery closures. The irony, of course, is that such go-it-alone closures would be the antithesis of “of an integrated approach to management” contemplated by the IUCN. We are ready to work with you, your committee staff, and other stakeholders on amendments to address our concerns.
Sincerely,
Bill Shedd
President, American Fishing Tackle
Santa Ana, CA
Carey Graves
VP of Sales, Daiwa Corporation USA
Cypress, CA
Mike Lum
General Manager, Fred Hall Shows, Inc.
Fountain Valley, CA
Phil Morlock
VP Government Affairs, Shimano North America, Inc
Irvine, CA
George Blakely
VP, Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Brea, CA
Chuck Buhagiar
General Manager, Western Outdoor News
San Clemente, CA
Mark Lassagne
President, Bass Angler Magazine
Dixon, CA
Marc Gorelnik
President, Coastside Fishing Club, Inc.
El Cerrito, CA
James Robertson
Owner, Outer Limits Sportfishing
Sausalito, CA
Mark Smith
Owner, Charkbait!
Huntington Beach, CA
Dale Hightower
Owner, H&H Outdoor Marketing
Cypress, CA
Ali Hussainy
President/CEO, BD Outdoors
San Diego, CA
Simon Chan
Owner, River2Sea, LLC
Vaacaville, CA
Breck Girot
General Manager, Hogan’s Bait & Tackle
Dana Point, CA
Rich Zeilenga
COO, Tackle Warehouse
San Luis Obispo, CA
Josephine Pemberton
Owner/CFO, Hookup Baits, Inc.
San Diego, CA
Bill Schmunk
Owner, Bait Buttons
Fall River Mills, CA
Jeremiah Dietrich
Co-Owner, Premier Sales Solutions, LLC
Creston, CA
Dick Pool
CEO/Owner, Pro-Troll Fishing Products
Concord, CA
Chris Bonaparte
Co-Owner, Premier Sales Solutions, LLC
Creston, CA
Doug Lasko
President, Okuma Fishing USA
Ontario, CA
Joseph Teleoglou
Attorney, Snell & Willmer
Costa Mesa, CA
Darren Crile
Owner, Southcoast Slayers
Lake Elsinore, CA
Dave Brown
S. Marketing Manager, Soft Steel USA
Ontario, CA
Mary Rogers
President, San Diego Rod and Reel Club
San Diego, CA
Rick Jensen
Owner, Sportfishing Financial
San Juan Capistrano, CA
Gregg Mar
Owner, GMC Sports
Buena Park, CA
Kat Shitanishi
President, Owner American Corporation
Costa Mesa, CA
Ken Elie
President, Outdoor Pro Shop
Cotati, CA
Peter Phu
Owner, Angler’s Tackle
Oceanside, CA
Roman Castro
Host, Roman Castro Vlogs
San Diego, CA
Whitney Uyeda
President, Santa Barbara Sportfishing Club
Santa Barbara, CA
Ali Hussainy
Owner, Blue Seas Fabrication
San Diego, CA
David Bacon
Owner, Hook, Line & Sinker Tackle
Santa Barbara, CA
William Davis
President, Turner’s Rod & Reel Club
Arcadia, CA
Bob Eades
President, Inland Saltwater Anglers Club
Ontario, CA
Jeff Mariani
Owner, Cedros Kayak Fishing
Temecula, CA
Roman Castro
Host, The Spear Fishing Podcast
San Diego, CA
Ray Broadfoot
President, San Diego Anglers Fishing Club
San Diego, CA
Ted Feit
President, Los Angeles Rod & Reel Club
Los Angeles, CA
Anne James
J&T Tackle
Simi Valley, CA
Kevin Nakada
Guide, Sea Samurai Guide Service
Oceanside, CA
Mark Mihelich
Owner, Boundless Boat Charters
San Diego, CA
Ted Donald
Owner, Cobalt Sportfishing
San Diego, CA
Darren Crile
Owner, Onehanded Angler Co.
Lake Elsinore, CA
Jaime Diamond
Owner, Stardust Sportfishing
Santa Barbara, CA
Roman Castro
Owner, SpearoNation
San Diego, CA
Dave Brown
Sr. Marketing Advisor, Fishlab
Ontario, CA
Mike Farrell
Commodore, Channel Islands Yacht Club
Oxnard, CA
Sergio Fainsztein
Host, Angler Chronicles
Anaheim, CA
Ali Hussainy
Host, Local Knowledge
San Diego, CA
Shawn Arnold
Publisher, Fish Taco Chronicles
Huntington Beach, CA
Bill DePreist
Publisher, Pacific Coast Sportfishing Magazine
Newport Beach, CA
Jayson Quimby
President, Fib’ers Christian Fishing Club
Costa Mesa, CA
Liz Vernand
Owner, Channel Islands Sportfishing
Oxnard, CA
Matt Groff
President, South Bay Anglers Club
Torrance, CA
Rosie Flowers
General Manager, Cedros Sportfishing
San Diego, CA
Pete Gray
Host, Let’s Talk Hook Up
San Diego, CA
Jim Hendricks
West Coast Editor, Salt Water Sportsman Magazine
Downey, CA
Ben Florentino
Owner, Coastal Charters
Long Beach, CA
Scott Pastore
Owner, Bent Rod Brigade
San Diego, CA
Matt Groff
President, Trojan Anglers Club
Los Angeles, CA
Matt Hayward
Owner, Chovy Art
San Diego, CA
Colba Uva
Owner, Bullbuster Fishing Line
San Diego, CA
John Edwards
Owner, Small Boat Club
San Diego, CA
Roman Castro
President, Mad Macks Fishing Club
San Diego, CA
Harold Davis
Owner, Davis Boats
Paso Robles, CA
Keith Moret
VP, Marina Del Rey Anglers Club
Marina Del Rey, CA
Ron Owens
President, Socal Sportfishing Club
Orange, CA
Steve Rickard
Owner, Tug Life Chronicles
Ontario, CA
Pete Wolf
President, Big Hammer Lures
Goleta, CA
Jack Kaneoka
Owner, Fisherman’s Access
Brea, CA
Donna Kalez
General Manager, Dana Wharf Sportfishing
Dana Point, CA
Jianwei Li
CFO, Phenix Rods
Bellflower, CA
Steve Huber
Owner, Steve Huber Guide Service
Douglas City, CA
Kenny Priest
Guide, Fishing the North Coast
Eureka, CA
Sandy Estep
President, Dana Wharf Lady Anglers Club
Dana Point, CA
Anthony Cannuli
Manager, Sav-On Tackle
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Brian Park
Owner, Ace Fishing Tackle
Gardena, CA
Steve Pinard
Owner, East County Bait & Tackle
Lakeside, CA
Doug Kern
Owner, Fisherman’s Landing Tackle
San Diego, CA
Ken Corwin
Owner, Ken’s Custom Reel Repair
Oceanside, CA
Dawn Geider
Owner, Smooth Drag
Oak Hills, CA
Denise De Cock
Owner, Virg’s Landing
Morro Bay, CA
Luke Burson
President, Dana Wharf Rod & Reel Club
Laguna Niguel, CA
Jeff Squires
Owners, One Cool Tuna
San Diego, CA
Chris Coletta
Owner, Coletta Sportfishing
San Diego, CA
Morgan Promnitz
Director of Fishing Business Development, Hobie
Oceanside, CA
Seth Mostero
Owner, Cope’s Tackle & Rod Shop
Bakersfield, CA
Ali Hussainy
Owner, Fish Dope
San Diego, CA
Bill Varney
Owner, Fish The Surf.com
Los Alamitos, CA
David Dickerson
National Marine Manufacturers Association
Chicago, IL
Steve Pinard
Owner, Dana Landing Market & Fuel Dock
San Diego, CA
Jerry Desmond
Recreational Boaters of California
Sacramento, CA
David Kennedy
BoatUS
Washington, DC
Marko Mlikotin
California Sportfishing League
Sacramento, CA
Aoibheann Cline
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
Washington, DC
John Atkinson
Golden Gate Fisherman’s Association
Sausalito, CA
Wendy Tochihara
Izorline
Huntington Beach, CA
Jim Pearce
Lead Masters Inc
Hesperia, CA
Jamie Diamond
Owner Stardust Sportfishing
Santa Barbara, Ca
Donna Kalez
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
Dana Point, CA
Frank Lo Preste
Royal Polaris Sportfishing, Inc
San Diego, CA
Todd Burton
TB Metal Art
San Diego, CA
Sharon Bernie-Cloward
President, San Diego Port Tenants Association
San Diego, CA
Bill Shedd
Coastal Conservation Association California
San Diego, CA
James Stone
Nor Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association
Yuba City, CA
Ken Franke
Sportfishing Association of California
San Diego, CA
Jason Schratwieser
International Game Fish Association
Dania Beach, FL
Frank Lo Preste
Shogun Sportfishing
San Diego, CA
Wayne Kotow
Oceanside Senior Anglers
Oceanside, CA
Danielle Cloutier
American Sportfishing Association
Washington, DC
Gary Brennan
San Diego County Wildlife Federation
San Diego, CA
Gene Gilliland
B.A.S.S.
Birmingham, AL
Ernie Prieto
Partner, Oceanside SEA Center
Oceanside, CA
Brian Kiyohara
American Angler Sportfishing
San Diego, CA
Jake Mark
Redondo Beach Sportfishing
Redondo Beach, CA
Tim Ekstrom
Royal Star Sportfishing
San Diego
Frank Ursitti
H&M Landing
San Diego, CA
Linda Palm
President, Red Rooster III
San Diego CA 92106
Courtney Retrum
Newport Landing
Newport Beach, CA
John Yamate
Seaforth Sportfishing
San Diego, CA
Courtney Retrum
Davey’s Locker Sportfishing
Newport Beach, CA
Cc: Assemblyman Ash Kalra
Members, Senate Natural Resources Committee
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency
Chuck Bonham, Director, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Anthony Williams, Office of Governor Newsom
