We Want to Keep California Fishing!

The California Sportfishing Advocacy Campaign is currently focusing on a major effort in California that could have a significant impact on recreational fishing in California state waters. Under the California Marine Life Protection Act, California is in the process of designating marine protected areas, some of which will restrict access to recreational fishing.

The goal of California's sportfishing advocates and anglers is to protect the marine environment while minimizing unwarranted closures California’s coastal waters to recreational fishing.

The purpose of pursuing this goal is to:

• Maintain and improve the conservation of California marine fisheries and associated marine resources so as to improve the overall health of the ocean;
• Assure that the process for future closures or designations under California's Marine Life Protection Act relies on biological and economic information in a balanced fashion; and
• Increase sportfishing opportunities in California from their current economic and participation levels.

At $336 million, California earns more state and local tax revenues from sportfishing than any other state. At $2.7 billion, sportfishing retail sales are equivalent to the value of the state's grape harvest. This is not insignificant.

Deliberation and consensus are the keys to ensuring that conservation and protection of our ocean resources occurs now and in the future while still allowing for continued recreational fishing. We have just one chance to get it right. A decision by the California Fish and Game Commission to implement MPAs – especially no-take areas – without careful consideration and due process could have disastrous consequences for regional economies, recreational anglers and boaters.