The problem with the Interim Regulations is they fail to address the most serious threats to the fishery, highly efficient commercial gear, blanket harvest, and illegal catch, while at the same time create economic havoc for the sportfishing and coastal tourism industry.

Regulations enacted without effective enforcement and severe penalties will prove futile. Unfortunately the history of CDFG enforcement is not encouraging. They are simply understaffed for the challenges they are facing. Unless manpower is increased and the agency is better organized, whatever regulations are adopted, are doomed to failure.

For Example:

An interim rockfish species quota has been adopted by the California Fish And Game Commission, however, the CDFG has yet to establish verification methods or obtain the funding to pay for them.

Meanwhile, the commercial livefish boats are systematically cleaning out the nearshore fishery. "On Friday, October 27, 2000, five commercial livefish boats were working 50 traps in a kelp bed the size of a football field inside Noyo Cove. The traps were set five or ten yards apart," a Fish Sniffer Reader reported.

A 1996 NMFS study showed that most of the live fish sold in their sample of San Francisco fish markets and restaurants were sub legal and/or undocumented.

At this moment we are heading into another season where the documentation of the commercial catch will be spotty at best, while the unreported illegal catch goes completely undocumented. Current lack of enforcing reporting statutes for commercial passenger fishing vessels, party boats, also brings into question the validity of that source of data.

But rest assured, the fishery will be hammered for another year while we attend endless hearings to develop another set of temporary regulations, which the State can't enforce. Unless California can find the courage and determination to make meaningful change stick, the future of the groundfish species in California is bleak.

Where do we go from here?

Immediately end the use of traps for catching fish.

Restrict commercial fishing to the use of rod-and-reel gear in waters less than 60 fathoms, and radically reduce the number of fish caught per day per vessel.

Require all rockfish catches be landed at designated landing sites where DFG employees are present to monitor and sample the catch. Documentation of the catch by CDFG would be provided. Charging commercial vessels would fund the program.

Require all merchants to document purchases and sales of rockfish so they could be tracked back to the fisherman.

Seasonal closures should be timed when the majority of species in an area are spawning, such as banning ling cod fishing in water less than 20 fathoms in December and January.

Begin recruitment and training of an enforcement staff large enough to make the regulations effective.

Dramatically increase penalties for any violation of Fish & Game regulations associated with groundfish; including poaching and possession of undocumented catch, to include seizure of assets.

These emergency measures, if enacted and enforced, may allow us to save this valuable public resource while the while the long-term solutions and regulations required to create a sustainable fishery are established.

Help restore the California groundfish fishery by urging the California Department of Fish & Game to adopt the emergency measures outlined here, by sending the following letter.

California Department of Fish & Game
Director, Robert Hight

Marine Life Management Act
Marija Vojkovich

State of California
Governor Gray Davis

California State Assembly Natural Resources Committee
Howard Wayne, Chair
Dennis Hollingsworth, Vice Chair

California State Senate Natural Resources and Wildlife Committee
Sheila James Kuehl, Chair
Thomas Oller, Vice Chair

It will be quoted in its entirety prefaced by your comments (should you wish to add any) and:

I, as a California recreational angler, find the increasing body of evidence indicating the severe depletion of California's groundfish stocks alarming. I believe the interim CDFG regulations will prove inadequate to stop further deterioration of the stocks and urge the department to implement the following measures.

Immediately end the use of traps for catching fish.

Restrict commercial fishing to the use of rod-and-reel gear in waters less than 60 fathoms, and radically reduce the number of fish caught per day per vessel.

Require all rockfish catches be landed at designated landing sites where DFG employees are present to monitor and sample the catch. Documentation of the catch by CDFG would be provided. Charging commercial vessels would fund the program.

Require all merchants to document purchases and sales of rockfish so they could be tracked back to the fisherman.

Seasonal closures should be timed when the majority of species in an area are spawning, such as banning ling cod fishing in water less than 20 fathoms in December and January.

Begin recruitment and training of an enforcement staff large enough to make the regulations effective.

Dramatically increase penalties for any violation of Fish & Game regulations associated with groundfish; including poaching and possession of undocumented catch, to include seizure of assets.

These emergency measures, if enacted and enforced, may allow us to save this valuable public resource while the while the long-term solutions and regulations required to create a sustainable fishery are established.