November 16, 2011
Mr. Jim Kellogg, President
California Fish and Game Commission
1416 Ninth Street
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, California 94244-2090
RE: California Department of Fish and Game’s proposed striped bass regulation changes.
Dear President Kellogg and Commission members:
I oppose the proposed striped bass regulation changes. I am an angler and advocate for fisheries.
Scientists of major standing have opined that the population level effects of striped bass on salmon are small to none. The arguments for impact with respect to the federal Endangered Species Act can be shown to be without merit.
The proposed changes will put public health at risk as more fish will be eaten by Californians. Consumption of striped bass has been the subject of DFG public health warnings for years.
Does the Commission have evidence to counter the warnings?
Fish and Game Codes on the books now are not respected by this proposed change.
The federal Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) is still in effect and must be respected. These proposed changes run counter to the law. In my view it is actually time to respect that law and increase populations.
In addition, I believe it can be demonstrated that a depleted and less attractive fishery for a premier game fish, long established legally in California, and with great economic value, will effect the long term viability of the goods and service industries that derive their income from striped bass anglers. It will remove a long term source of great personal recreational satisfaction from those anglers. I believe the long view is important and the anglers are too.
With law and best available science in mind, I urge that you not adopt the regulation changes.
Thank you.
Respectfully submitted,