Conservation Group Urges Hunters, Anglers To Voice Concerns Over AB-3030
The following is courtesy of the Coastal Conservation Association of California:
June 22, 2020: The Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA CAL) urges anglers, hunters and other sportsmen throughout the state to take action immediately to oppose California Assembly Bill 3030, aggressive legislation that threatens recreational access to 30 percent of the state’s coastal waters, as well as 30 percent of land areas and inland waters.
CCA CAL has made it easy to tell your state senator that you oppose AB 3030. Visit www.ccacalifornia.org. Click on the link on the home page to send an unequivocal message to your state senator to squash this unwarranted intrusion on your right to fish.
The time to act is now. AB 3030 is racing through our legislature. What started as an international environmental plan to restrict the use of 30 percent of all land and water is now being driven to the extreme here in California with an ocean focus on additional marine protected areas (MPAs).
Aside from pushing for MPAs, AB 3030 has several other problems including:
1. It does not recognize any of the existing protections and management already in place. California is already a global leader in marine conservation and managed at both state and federal levels.
2. California already has a wide network of 146 MPAs, reflecting the most restrictive marine environmental management policies in the world.
3. Fishing closures will reduce state revenues from fishing licenses and boating fees, and in turn reduce much needed funds for scientific study and fisheries enforcement.
4. This bill lacks clarity. It uses the term “protection” but does not specify what exactly that means. In addition, the bill states that the current protections are inadequate, but fails to specify why.
5. AB 3030 would severely restrict recreational activities at a time when more, not less, open space is necessary for the enjoyment of all Californians.
6. The recreational fishing community has proposed amendments to correct the ills of AB3030 but those amendments have largely been rejected.