Two bills (SB 1148 and AB 2402) have been introduced in the California legislature that together will effectively remove recreational anglers from fisheries management and conservation discussions in the state. Take action today to ensure that you can continue to fight for your right to fish.

The Situation

With anti-fishing groups trying to stop you from enjoying the sport that you love, your voice in the regulatory process is more important than ever. SB 1148 and AB 2402 were initially introduced into the California legislature to improve how the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) functions, but special interest groups have succeeded in amending the bills to include provisions detrimental to anglers like you.

Among other things, these two bills will:

• Authorize “nonprofit partnerships” between well-financed organizations and the DFG,allowing these special interest groups to further their agendas within the DFG. Many of these nonprofit groups are out to stop recreational fishing under the guise of fisheries management.

• Remove the Fish and Game Commission’s regulatory power over marine protected areas and listing of threatened and endangered species and instead put it in the hands of the DFG. This could result in “nonprofit partners” making important decisions that further limit fishing access to public waters without any public forum or transparency in the process.

Image courtesy Keep America Fishing