Sacramento – Senator Tom Berryhill (R-Twain Harte) announces his legislation to create a junior fishing license was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee without a vote and is dead for this legislative session. Senate Bill 345 had gone through the legislative process without a ‘no’ vote but had been stripped of a major provision in the Senate. The committee’s action today, while not unexpected, was tremendously disappointing.
“Clearly a setback in my efforts to boost fishing license sales in California,” said Berryhill. “Originally the bill created a year-long fishing license as well as the junior license category but the majority party just kept whittling it down. Now this. Sadly, no one seems to have a Plan B on how to increase license sales and that is the real tragedy.”
License sales in California have plummeted more than 55% over the last 35 years while the cost of an annual license has increased 840%. Today, California ranks dead last for sport fishing participation yet has 4,000 lakes/reservoirs, over 20,000 registered ponds, and thousands of miles of streams and rivers.
“The legislature should be demanding the Department of Fish and Wildlife do something to increase license sales and bring revenue into the state for habitat restoration other important wildlife programs. For example, the Hatchery and Inland Fisheries Fund is operating at an annual loss and will be out of money soon – but instead of supporting innovative approaches to generate much needed money from license sales, the legislature and the Department stick their heads in the sand and do nothing.”
The recreational fishing industry generates almost five billion dollars annually to California’s economy and is an economic powerhouse in rural communities reliant on tourism. Senate Bill 345 originally would have replaced California’s antiquated (and impractical) calendar year fishing license with a 12-consecutive month license – much like car registration or any number of other available licenses in California. According to data in other states that have adopted a 12-consecutive month license, this small change could have bolstered license sales in California.
“Fishing is one of the greatest activities out there. It cuts across ethnic, economic and geographic boundaries. Once you’ve fished…you’re hooked.”
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Senator Berryhill represents the counties of Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Mariposa, Mono, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and parts of Fresno, Madera, Sacramento and Tulare. For additional information about Senator Berryhill please visit his website at www.senate.ca.gov/berryhill or sign up for his monthly newsletter here.