Bill to Further Limit Commercial Fishing Introduced In CA Assembly

A new bill that would greatly limit gillnet fishing in California, as well as end hauls for certain types of fish, was introduced in the Assembly this week.

According to Assembly Bill 2220, authored by Assemblyman Steve Bennett (D-Ojai), the Department of Fish and Wildlife would adopt and enforce regulations to require any commercial fishing vessel operating with a validly issued permit from the state to carry an independent third-party observer onboard the vessel while operating within state fisheries. In addition, all incidental take exceptions to catching giant sea bass and great white sharks would also be ended, putting in a full ban on catching those species commercially. Finally, the use of gill nets and trammel nets, which is typically netting that uses a ‘wall’ of vertical netting to help better catch fish, would be completely banned from all California ocean waters beginning on January 1, 2025.

Assemblyman Bennett wrote the bill because gillnet fishing is generally seen as destructive, with the nets catching everything, including endangered species. He also hopes that the bill will improve seafood quality in California as a result, with less waste and more fish overall being made available without gillnets.

“There are alternative methods of fishing proven to diminish harm on marine life and reduce bycatch while producing higher-quality seafood,” said Bennett this week. “AB 2220 aligns Southern California waters with Northern California by prohibiting gillnets in all ocean waters of the state, broadening protections for marine life and encouraging sustainable practices for all who enjoy and make a living from our ocean.”

A new fishing bill in the Assembly

While AB 2220 did not receive any backing or opposition from any other lawmakers this week, environmental groups did approve of it due to the extent the bill goes to protect fish. Many also see it as the next step to the federal Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act, which is set to end more larger scale gillnets in 2027.

“The diversity of ocean life off California rivals any other place around the globe, but the state’s set gillnet fishery is threatening the very ocean animals that support a healthy ocean ecosystem, drive tourism, support robust fisheries, and are valued by Californians,” said Oceana California Campaign Director and Senior Scientist Geoff Shester. “Californians have already said they don’t want these nets off our shores, having voted to ban them more than 30 years ago.”

However, many in Sacramento have stressed that they would want to see the costs associated with AB 2220 before making a decision. No figures have been released yet on just how much the state and local counties stand to lose if the bill goes into place.

“There are many lawmakers who would be hesitant to sign a bill like this, especially in the uncertain times we are in now,” Dana, a Capitol staffer, told the Globe on Wednesday. “A lot of people would be for fishing preservation, but this sort of bill raises a lot of monetary questions. And if this bill costs a lot, or takes away a lot of commercial fishing, you know, that would add to the state budget woes. We’re $68 billion in the hole. We need a price tag on this one.”

“Environmental issues are important, but right now, we need to fix this budget so that we can still have a state to keep running. And if this bill costs a lot of money, people will want to know that. It’s not the environmental part of this that will be the deciding factor, but the cost of it.”

AB 2220 is expected to be heard soon in Assembly committees.