The Coastal Conservation Association California (CCA CAL) recently submitted a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom, requesting that recreational fishing be included in the State of California’s list of allowable recreational activities. This list includes very specific activities including crabbing, badminton, and trampolining, but leaves fishing out.
You can find that letter to the Governor from CCA CAL Chairman Bill Shedd below:
Dear Governor Newsom:
The Coastal Conservation Association California (CCA CAL) serves as the advocacy group for all saltwater anglers in California and works with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and non-governmental organizations to help conserve and protect our living natural resources. We also work with those same groups to help phase out detrimental fishing gear and encourage all fishermen and women to pursue ethical and sustainable practices along our coast.
The State maintains a list of allowable outdoor recreation activities. While the list is exemplary rather than exhaustive, efforts to restore recreational fishing access have been stymied at times because “fishing” does not appear on the list. We were very happy to hear you say on April 8th, during your daily update on California’s actions regarding COVID-19, that you were “passionate about fishing yourself and that you were not cancelling the upcoming fishing season.” As the openings of many fishing seasons across the State are fast approaching, we are asking you to please consider adding recreational fishing to the list of allowable outdoor activities in California.
Compliance with the current health guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), including social distancing, is readily accomplished while fishing. Crowding and fishing do not go together. Anglers on beaches or lake shores seek to stake out their own space. On boats keeping distance is necessary to avoid tangles. Recreational fishing incorporates social distancing, and we would like the opportunity to demonstrate our responsible practices.
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. 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
The State of California’s website states that: “It’s okay to go outside to go 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.” This is followed by an extensive list of very specific outdoor activities. We ask that recreational fishing be added to this list of allowable outdoor activities.
