Recreational Fishing Industry Wins Battle

San Diego - Yesterday the California Fish and Game Commission heard a proposal to change rules that would have been so costly to implement and enforce that all of the privately owned and operated hatcheries in California would have had to close down. 

 

In the midst of the worst unemployment crisis since the 1930s, this big win for the recreational fishing industry has saved thousands of jobs.

 

An intriguing report about the decision and some of the issue's background can be found HERE. One excerpt I want to share is the cost analysis.

As expected, Fish and Game showed the cost to be in the hundreds of dollars, while the representatives of the fisheries and hatcheries said the cost will be, on average, around $133,000.

Dixon Lake in Escondido was one of the four lakes studied for cost by the independent Sapphos Environmental, Inc., and Dixon came in at $181,000 for the biological assessment to keep stocking fish. The breakdown was $25,919 for fish assessment, $15,490.74 for birds, $139,677.06 for herpetofauna.

Special thanks to Orange County's own State Senator Tom Harmon who began public comments by advocating for the small businesses that make up this large industry. 

 

California's Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts can once again count on their favorite fishing hole to be a round a little longer. 

Press-Enterprise: State looking at regulating private fishing ponds, lakes

By DAVID DANELSKI
The Press-Enterprise

Owners of private pay-to-fish ponds and lakes are stewing over new rules the state is considering that would require them to conduct environmental reviews to determine whether their operations harm local wildlife.

The private fishing holes usually operate on a slim margin, said Craig Elliott, owner of Corona Lake, which charges $22 for a day-long chance to catch catfish, trout, tilapia, crappie or bluegill.

If adopted, he says the rules could force him and other operators out of business.

Read the Press-Enterprise story HERE.

Burdensome regulations endanger California fishing industry

By CRAIG ELLIOT

Many Californians are not aware of a very serious and looming threat to recreational fishing. Fish farmers who stock California lakes and grocery stores are threatened by a legal case moving through the courts as well as the costly regulations being drafted by the California Department of Fish and Game.

As a result of a lawsuit several years ago against California's fish hatcheries, the department staff drafted an environmental impact report to include private aquaculture in its regulations, even though the lawsuit and ruling only applied to state facilities, and not privately held fish hatcheries and stocking ponds.

Given that California grows some of the healthiest and safest fish in the world under existing regulations, one can only assume that the state's actions were not motivated by a public need, but merely by a political agenda, one that anglers know has led to significant limitations on ocean fishing off the coast of California.

As a result of new regulations being drafted by Fish and Game, fish stocking could be a thing of the past once costly regulations are mandated for every fresh water hatchery, fish farm and stocking pond, imposing crippling regulatory costs annually on California businesses to perform all kinds of inspections and monitoring for various species, many of which are not even endangered or threatened. Such costs will lead to businesses closing and popular fishing ponds and lakes simply abandoned altogether.

And for the first time in more than 30 years, new regulations will require fishermen to purchase fishing licenses to catch privately stocked fish on private property as well as private fee for fishing lakes such as Corona Lake.

If private fish hatcheries become a thing of the past, who will stock California's many lakes and ponds? Simply put, when there are no fish, there will be no fishing. Without fresh water fishing, California's $224 billion outdoor industry will take a hit, and so will its tourism industry as fewer vacations are planned and fewer outdoor sporting goods are purchased.

This threat also impacts communities dependent on recreational tourism, namely sporting goods companies and retailers, boat sellers/manufacturers, marinas and bait and tackle shops. Moreover, the price of fish at your favorite restaurant or grocery store will go up as fish is imported from other states or countries.

Californians need to contact Gov. Jerry Brown and state legislators and ask them to urge the Fish and Game Commission to abandon new regulations that threaten a lifestyle shared by some 1.7 million recreational fisherman and an industry that protects California's jobs.

Craig Elliot is president of the California Association for Recreational Fishing and the operator of Corona Lake.

Hearing Alert! - Costly Regulations Threaten Recreational Fishing

At an August 3rd-4th Sacramento hearing of the California Fish and Game Commission, the Fish and Game Department will be introducing unprecedented and costly regulations that threaten the very existence of fresh water recreational fishing, an industry that stocks California lakes and ponds and supplies your favorite restaurant and grocery store with fresh and affordable fish.

What's more, recreational fishermen will be shocked to learn that they may be required to hold a fishing license at privately owned and stocked fishing lakes!

If you are a recreational fisherman, lake operator, fish farmer or just a concerned citizen, please visit our website at www.SaveCalFishing.org to learn how you can have your voice heard at this important hearing!

You can also download a hearing flyer that you can post at your favorite bait and tackle shop, lake, or share it with a fellow fisherman. Fishing clubs and lake operators are encouraged to post the flyer on their websites. In addition, please visit our website's "Take Action" page to learn what more you can do to protect recreational fishing.

With the second highest unemployment rate in the nation California can't afford to lose more jobs, drive up the cost of California grown fish, and deny Californians access to recreational fishing!

Protect Recreational Fishing by Having Your Voice Heard - Attend this Important Meeting!

PROTECT FISHING!

Oppose unfair licensing requirements and costly regulations all designed to generate revenue, a.k.a. NEW TAXES!!!

After more than 30 years, the California Department of Fish and Game is trying to require recreational fishermen to purchase a fishing license (a.k.a. PAY TAXES) to catch privately stocked fish (currently NOT taxed) on private property (already paying property taxes) as well as at private fee for fishing lakes (small businesses) - and proposing, unnecessary and very costly regulations that will be mandated for every fresh water hatchery, fish farm and nearly anybody that purchases and stocks fish in California.

Such regulations will put small business owners who stock fishing holes out of business - and deny access to recreational fishing! Without affordable local fishing, how long will it be before all the fish in California are GONE?  Will Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts ever be able to earn their respective merit badges?

Please contact Governor Jerry Brown and the Department of Fish and Game today. Let them know that California's economy can't afford this plan! To do this, visit CARF's "Take Action" page. Your voice needs to be heard - it's quick and easy - and VERY IMPORTANT!

 

To learn more how these new plans threaten your favorite fishing hole and jobs, visit http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=weyj8qeab&et=1104986341688&s=71&e=001w0DtEcem7yv7kcCoIUDCSd6Tc9iepJVm47Ak3kHYNLdVjNd4aNowjpljuPCp-tUp3dZigOR7qU6hHtDAE-ZnjX08MPUSDDDhTwLKIvQKTMfyQYW-z4ojNA==.  

PS: Attention fee for fishing lake operators - visit the "Take Action" page to learn how you can help too.

FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS QUESTION MERITS OF NEW REGULATIONS

(a message from CARF)

CARF prevails at hearing!  

On March 3rd, members of CARF testified before the California Fish and Game Commission urging Commissioners to reject proposed regulations that will have a profound economic impact on California fresh water fishing industry and recreational fishing. To read more and to watch the hearing video, click here.

 

For the first time in over 30 years, proposed regulations will require fishermen to purchase fishing licenses to catch privately stocked fish on private property as well as private fee for fishing lakes.  

In addition, these new regulations will impose crippling costs on an annual basis to perform genetic and disease testing on every single fish hatchery and pond in California. These unprecedented regulations could cost property owners thousands of dollars annually for even the smallest body of fresh water and even more for fish hatcheries.

Fortunately, a majority of the Commissioners agreed that more information is needed before any new regulations are considered. It is encouraging that Commissioners are seeking a greater understanding of how unprecedented and costly these new regulations would be for California employers, property owners and fishermen! However, the threat to recreational fishing and jobs still remains, and our fight continues.

 

If you are interested in watching the hearing video click here and don't forget to visit the "Take Action" page to learn how you can have your voice heard today!

CARF letter to Fish and Game Commission

California Association for Recreational Fishing

www.savecalfishing.org | info@savecalfishing.org

Phone 877.898.1315

Your Favorite Fishing Hole is Threatened - and so are Jobs!

CARF is fighting back and has filed a lawsuit against the State of California

We are calling you to join the California Association for Recreational Fishing (CARF) in protecting freshwater fisherman and outdoor industries from a very serious and looming threat.

Private stocking of California waters account for about half of the freshwater fish caught by some  1.7 million recreational fisherman, contributing $2.4 billion to California's economy - a major source of jobs!

This way of life and the jobs dependent on fresh water fishing are being threatened by a legal case quietly moving through the courts and costly regulations being drafted by the California Department of Fish and Game.  Proposed regulations could cost hatcheries and stocking ponds several thousand of dollars or more a year, putting many family operations that stock your favorite water holes out of business. Or simply stated -  less fish, less fishing and less fishing, fewer jobs!

To learn how you can protect recreational fishing, visit CARF's website at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=weyj8qeab&et=1104541512597&s=71&e=001uG7d02jtMwuo8HfS_Dr3Faps080J6AWTUV6AKJ7Y0ygfjC5CLh72Gpo9xz8nycPW8eq-HOwwbfdZfxDxG7lzqRfvqbTLx-Fh017QChWhg4rOKmbr7UpQXg==.  The website has been updated to better serve the recreational fishing community with the latest industry news and what CARF is doing to protect a way of life. And most importantly, how you can help.

What You Can Do to Protect Recreational Fishing:

1)    Visit the website's "Take Action" page to protest proposed regulations.

2)    Help finance CARF's lawsuit and cause by becoming a member.

3)    Forward this email to fellow fishing enthusiasts and businesses.    

Only together can we protect freshwater fishing!

Sincerely,

California Association for Recreational Fishing
http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=weyj8qeab&et=1104541512597&s=71&e=001uG7d02jtMwu72L3DQzcXAHBfx-fevA8iGf28TvcwwMEznuvdiVCuWZXAkIWqlRjMJH35Q7JBGY6D2c3oLHanxpYeVzyyXX8xtt4ueywi5scLl5jENs0WYw== | info@savecalfishing.org
Phone 877.898.1315

NEW DFG REGULATIONS could eliminate most, if not all private fish stocking

Western Outdoor News Editorial

There’s a two-pronged attack from the state to destroy sport fishing in California. Most anglers are familiar with the threat posed by the Marine Life Protection Act, but the latest threat is to freshwater, via the Department of Fish and Game and its writing and implementation of an environmental impact report governing freshwater hatcheries in the state.

     Essentially, private hatcheries  could be  out of business  due to a new layer of expensive, DFG-required testing and regulation. This means most stocking programs, other than those conducted by DFG hatcheries, might cease. The winter trout season as we know it in urban Southern California could become a thing of the past, as well as most of the catfish stocking that occurs in the summer.

     The new regulations are the unexpected and unnecessary ramifications of the lawsuit against the  DFG’s trout and salmon hatchery program.
      In a  lack of foresight, DFG staff wrote the lawsuit-mandated EIR, including the private aquaculture industry in its regulations. The implications are severe.   

     While the DFG’s hatchery environmental impact report (EIR) was mandated by the court, the lawsuit and ruling was only directed at DFG facilities. Currently, private hatcheries and fishing lakes in 37 counties, including most in the southern half of the state are exempt and have been that way for many years.. Those suing the DFG didn’t ask for this, the judge didn’t ask for this and many believe it was the DFG who decided to throw private industry under the bus due to the pressure they were receiving for not getting their court mandated EIR for their own stocking program done in time.

     The DFG staff decided to include private facilities in the new EIR, right along with the state hatcheries. According to the EIR, all of these facilities -- from private hatcheries, to stock ponds, to homeowners associations with their own lakes, to county park lakes, and even golf course ponds -- are going to be required to conduct biological surveys to determine what endangered or “decision” species may exist in their water. The term “decision species” covers almost the universe and goes far beyond what they are legally allowed to do. They will also have to test to determine if the fish being planted in the lake or grown in the hatchery have any diseases or if invasive species like New Zealand mud snails or quagga mussels are present. The invasive species testing would have to be done quarterly and all surveys and testing will have to be done at the expense of the lake or hatchery owner.

     Ironically, California’s private hatcheries already grow some of the healthiest fish in the world because of existing rules and regulations, and because growing healthy fish keep growers in business, but this new layer of expensive bureaucracy will simply run most of them out of business.

     The impacts will be broad-based and dramatic. Many stocking programs will cease at county and private facilities because fish will simply no longer be available. It would even impact the DFG’s own stocking programs because the state contracts with private growers for catfish during the summer months.

 This issue was to go before the state Fish and Game Commission for possible adoption  Dec. 16, but because of the efforts being done by a group of sportsmen and industry leaders, the Commission temporally took it off the Commission Addenda for the Dec. 16 meeting, so that the Fish and Game Staff and Industry could have the opportunity to set down together, redraft some of the proposed regulations and come to a mutually acceptable solution that will not put industry out of business and ultimately shut down much of the inland fishing in California. 

Without the stocking of trout and many of the warm water species like catfish, how long do you think it would take for all of the waters in California to become fished out?  The group leading this effort has filed suit against the Department and has hired lobbying, PR and fund raising groups to help their cause, but the most important help they could receive is from those most threatened, the fishermen.

 You can learn more and get involved by visiting the California Association of Recreational Fishing (CARF). website. WON urges the Commission not to approve the current EIR, and applauds the Commission for instructing the department to set down and re-work the proposed regulations with industry, and it encourages anglers to join the new group, CARF. For more information, you can visit http://www.savecalfishing.org/.

*******************************

As one commenter said, California's beef industry is just one lawsuit away from court ordered EIR's and biological reports simply to graze cattle. 

California Association for Recreational Fishing Newsletter

This just in to my email...

______________________________________

Hello CARF supporters!

I would like to first thank you for all the support you have given our organization.  Your involvement is greatly appreciated and we are excited that you are a part of our ongoing mission to preserve our wonderful state’s fishing opportunities.  We have recently updated our website and would be honored if you took the time to view some of the recent news and issues concerning our organization.  Our most recent update is very informative and sheds light on the seriousness of our issue.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support!  We are proud to have you as part of our team!

California Association for Recreational Fishing

info@savecalfishing.org | www.savecalfishing.org

Phone 877.898.1315

40 Constitution Drive, Suite A, Chico, Ca 95973-9927

Join Now!|Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Government Over-Reaction Threatens to Force California Fish Farmers Out of Business

A friend emailed this to me and I thought I should share it.  When will our elected leadership stand up to outrageous restrictions which will surely cost California more jobs?

Screw the People, Save the Frogs!

Below is the text of a paper I received from an industry expert on what the new Fish & Game regulations realy mean.  I have not researched all of the particlars but I have looked at a few of them and found them to be correct. 

Please take a few minutes to read why anyone who has ever cast a line in California should be concerned about what the future will hold for our state.

Fishing Industry Under Attack

A private environmental company seeks to abolish fishing at a popular Del Norte County spot.  It seems like ever day we hear about more rights and liberties being trumped in the name of "the environment".  Before we save the fish, frogs, ore other creatures of God, we must save mankind.  Man must eat and fishing is a simple and timeless way in which to do that.  In fact, man has been fishing for thousands of years!  As the Chinese proverb goes, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Before you get your bait and tackle ready for the weekend, go to savecalfishing.org to learn how you can protect California fishing!

WHERE DID ALL THE FISH GO?

A friend handed me an alarming flyer over the weekend.

After reading that I wondered if it was a real problem or just some angst from a few concerned sportsmen.  After a little homework and a few phone calls it looks like it is real - just like the paper says, "THIS IS NO JOKE!!"

I am sorting through a pile of documents trying to understand the situation better, but this flyer seems to say it best.  As of June 30, 2010, the Department of Fish & Game has reported more than 1.6 million fishing licenses issued with a revenue of $42.7 million.  That number will grow but likely not double before December 31.  With 1.6 million rods in California waters, how much "revenue" will California loose and how many jobs will move out of state?