A California fisheries bill backed by commercial fishermen and recreational fishing interests has cleared the state Senate and is headed to the Assembly.
Sen. Mike McGuire's SB 1393 passed the Senate on May 28 with bipartisan support. According to McGuire's office, the legislation focuses on fish habitat restoration, steelhead trout recovery efforts and updates to Dungeness crab fishery management regulations.
The bill would strengthen California's steelhead trout fishing restoration program while directing additional funding toward fishery habitat restoration projects. It would also modernize management rules for the state's Dungeness crab fishery and establish clear guidelines allowing vessels to transit through closed crab fishing areas even when fishing activity is restricted.
"The commercial fishing fleet is the lifeblood of rural coastal communities here on the North Coast," said McGuire. "From Crescent City to Half Moon Bay, we depend on the success and sustainability of California's commercial and recreational fishing fleet. SB 1393 advances the modern management needed to protect our natural resources, strengthen our fisheries, and keep our coastal and rural economies strong for years to come."
The legislation has earned support from industry leaders, including the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA).
"SB 1393 has been long thought out by Fleet representatives and Senator McGuire. This legislation gives California's commercial fishermen the regulatory certainty they need to plan their seasons and protect their livelihoods," said PCFFA President George Bradshaw. "Fishermen in every port of the Golden State are grateful to Senator McGuire for his continued leadership and advocacy on behalf of the men and women who make their living from California's multi-million-dollar fishing industry."
According to McGuire's office, California's commercial fishing fleet and recreational fishing sector support more than 100,000 jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity annually. The Dungeness crab fishery alone contributes tens of millions of dollars each year and remains one of the West Coast's most valuable fisheries.
SB 1393 now moves to the California Assembly for consideration.
