Vote No on AB 2787.
This past Friday, Assembly Member Bill Quirk introduced Assembly Bill 2787, legislation that will ban lead fishing weights that can be found in most every California angler’s tackle box. Making fishing too costly and less accessible will have a devastating impact on the state’s tourism industry and communities dependent on outdoor recreation for tax revenue and jobs.
Due to the large size of the lead weights and sinkers identified in the legislation, AB 2787 may be the most far reaching ban on fishing tackle in the country and will clear out the inventory of most fishing tackle shops. Moreover, given the significant restriction placed on lead content, it is not certain whether alternative products exist in the market and by most estimations, if alternative products do exist they can cost up to 20% more than traditional lead weights.
If you don’t take action, AB 2787 will Become Law
1) Click Here to Sign the Petition
2) Click Here to Contact Assembly Member Quirk (Email Mr. Quirk if you live in the greater Hayward area, and call his office if you don’t)
3) Click Here to Share on Social Media: SHARE this Facebook post
When it comes to the merits of fishing tackle bans, the Oroville Mercury Register said it best, “We need proof, not suspicion, before further harming the once-great sportfishing industry in California and the tourism that goes with it.”
To this date, no scientific study has ever been conducted in California that would justify the merits of this legislation and most notably, weights of such large size. Wildlife found in Canada and other parts of the U.S. are not common in California, and no study has determined that where fishing takes place in California lead fishing weights have harmed wildlife.
Therefore, before causing significant harm to communities dependent on outdoor tourism and needlessly drive up the cost of fishing, studies should be required to determine whether fishing practices are having any significant impact on California wildlife.
The California Sportfishing League’s executive director will be discussing AB 2787 on Angler’s Chronicles Saturday morning, and the Rod and Reel Show Sunday evening. To listen online, see the upcoming events below.
Here is an excerpt from the Oroville MR:
“Why would a ban be a big deal? Well, there are no low-cost options. Small brass weights can cost five times more than lead. Other options are copper, bismuth and steel. All are more expensive. Few are produced because who wants to buy a single weight for $2.50 when you can buy a lead one for 50 cents?
If the law is passed, it would make fishing more expensive and drive more people away from the sport.
Quirk claims the ban is needed because birds eat the lead weights and die. We’d like to see the science proving that. Five other states have banned lead weights to protect bottom-feeding and threatened loons. We have diving ducks in California, but no loons — and no proof any birds are dying from eating fishing weights.
We need proof, not suspicion, before further harming the once-great sportfishing industry in California and the tourism that goes with it.”
In addition to Assembly Member Quirk’s fishing weight ban, Assembly Bill 2787, another sportfishing related bill was introduced late last week by Assemblyman James Gallagher, a friend of California anglers. Gallagher’s legislation, Assembly Bill AB 2465, would establish a panel of sportfishing leaders tasked with developing a strategic plan to Retain, Recruit and Reactivate angler participation, otherwise referred to as an “R3 Stakeholder Group.” When California’s fishing participation rate has declined to dead last in the Nation, developing solutions to declining participation rates is long overdue!
2018 California Boating Congress
Attention California anglers and boaters! Please join the California Sportfishing League at the annual California Boating Congress, taking place in Sacramento, February 27th -28th.
This annual event will include an impressive group of speakers who will be addressing the outdoor recreational community on important public policy issues, both regulatory and legislative, that impact recreational fishing, boaters and marina operators.
As anglers, we are particularly interested in a presentation by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF). David Chanda, RBFF’s vice president, will be discussing “Growing Participation in Boating and Fishing.” As you may know, RBFF works with state agencies to increase boating and fishing participation rates and their successful “R3” program is now coming to California.
Click Here to register.