After every election, California’s recreational fishing community would be wise to assess the political environment in our State Capitol to determine what impact it will have on fishing and an outdoor industry that generates over $4.6 billion in economic activity each year.
For starters, what has not changed over the years is that we still fish in a state where one governor after another has failed to recognize that communities dependent on recreational fishing for tourism and jobs are threatened by their failure to address a very real and troubling trend— California has one of the costliest fishing licenses in the United States. When this is combined with increasing limitations on when and where one can fish, California’s fishing participation rate continues to rank dead last in the country. This distinction is underscored by the reality that annual fishing license sales have declined over 55% since 1980, as the state’s population has increased over 60%.
Sadly, the State Legislature is no more attentive to this crisis. Once again, in 2018 they failed to reform the state’s costly and antiquated license program that has experienced declining sales and revenue. All the while, they rejected real solutions like establishing an annual fishing license that is valid a full 12-months from the date of purchase, as opposed to a failing one that expires on December 31st of each year. If they are deserving of any credit, it should be for stalling an effort to ban lead fishing tackle.
As disheartening as all this is to political observers, there is a glimmer of hope that the state is poised to act in 2019. However, this depends on our newly elected Governor Gavin Newsom. In early 2018, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Director asked for CSL’s assistance in organizing a “R3 stakeholder group,” a panel of sportfishing leaders tasked with developing a strategic plan to Retain, Recruit, and Reactivate angler participation. The director’s report should be released soon and meaningful reforms are possible, provided the report provides a real critical analysis of the problem and offers specific solutions. If not, it will collect dust on some DFW bookshelf, and rightly so.
So, what does the future hold for recreational anglers with the election of Governor Newsom and Democrats gaining two-thirds of both houses of the State Legislature? With this super-majority Republicans can no longer block anti-hunting and fishing legislation, and Democrats can override most any veto by the governor. This means that the importance of political advocacy organizations like the California Sportfishing League will take on added importance if we are to protect your right to fish and enjoy the great outdoors.
The bottom line is this; real reforms are possible only if Governor Newsom takes the initiative. Until proven otherwise, we are going to give our new governor the benefit of the doubt that as a businessman he will figure out what others have not — reforming California’s failing fishing program means more sales and more revenue for fishing and environmental restoration programs. Why not be bold? Real solutions have been tested in many other states and their participation rates are on the rise. If Newsom fails to act, as did his Republican and Democrat predecessors, hold tight. We forecast rough waters for California anglers for years to come.
Governor Newsom Appoints Secretary of Resources Agency
Governor Newsom has appointed Wade Crowfoot, 45, of Oakland, a former political director of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to serve as his California Natural Resources Agency Secretary.
Crowfoot was chief executive officer of the Water Foundation from 2016-2018. He was deputy cabinet secretary and senior advisor to Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 2013 to 2016. Crowfoot also served as deputy director for Governor Brown’s Office of Planning and Research from 2011 to 2013. He was West Coast political director at EDF from 2009 to 2011 and senior environmental advisor to former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom from 2004 to 2007. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $209,943.
2019 Annual California Boating Congress
Marko Mlikotin, the Executive Director of the California Sportfishing League is one of the featured speakers who will be discussing opportunities to increase fishing participation and to protect access to fishing under the recent election of Governor Gavin Newsom.
Mark your calendar for March 6, 2019 and plan to register early. There will be government and industry speakers in the morning and a chance to meet with your legislator in the afternoon. If you are able to come a day early, there will be a cocktail reception the evening before the event on March 5, 2019.
If you want to schedule meetings with your representative you must register by February 8, 2019.
If you want to receive the early registration price, you must register by February 15, 2019.
For more information and to view the schedule, click here.
