A Plea To Completely Open Up Recreational Fishing

The following is courtesy of the Coastal Conservation Association of California:

May 28, 2020: The Coastal Conservation Association California (CCA CAL) has sent a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom requesting that recreational fishing be added to the State’s maintained list of allowable recreational activities that Californians are able to partake in while the state continues re-opening. 

The State of California’s website states: “It’s okay to go outside for a walk, to exercise, and participate in healthy activities as long as you maintain a safe physical distance of six feet and gather only with members of your household.” Following is a list of allowable outdoor activities, which includes activities like badminton, canoeing, crabbing, and trampolining to name a few. Recreational fishing continues to be left off that same list. 

“Many counties and cities across the state have already opened up their harbors, bays and waterways to certain recreational activities. Beaches are now open for walking, running, and other forms of exercise,” said CCA CAL Chairman Bill Shedd in the letter to the Governor. “Unfortunately, fishing has been excluded by some local governments and continues to be a gray area for many counties and cities wishing to ease restrictions. In part, this is because the State has left recreational fishing off its list of allowable outdoor activities.”

For more information or to view the letter, please visit www.ccacalifornia.org.

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The Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA CAL) was created in 2015 when recreational anglers and outdoor enthusiasts came together to work for the conservation and enhancement of our marine resources and coastal environments.

Today, we are working to protect not only the health, habitat and sustainability of our marine resources, but also the interests of recreational saltwater anglers. Our goal is to protect your access to the marine resources you cherish and enjoy everyday. CCA CAL consists of 2,300 members spread across 6 local chapters in Southern California.