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My name is Doug Vernand. Our family owns Channel Islands
Sportfishing in Oxnard, CA. We have been in the sportfishing
industry for over 50 years. This is our livelihood. Our landing has
up to 12 Sportfishing and Whale Watching boats that serve thousands
of people a month. 

When Covid-19 hit and we were all shut down for several months, we
had no idea what we were going to do. When we were allowed to
resume business, people were eagerly waiting to get back on a boat
and go fishing. Some to escape the stresses of the pandemic, some
for food for their families, some for the love of just being out on
the water. 

As the landing owner, we sell tickets for these privately owned
boats. We employee 12 or more year round. All the boats employee 3
- 8 people year round. These owners, captains and deckhands are
invested in this industry. Many would have no other place to go to
work if they got shut down. This is their LIFE. Their love of being
on the water, helping others to catch fish is obvious.

If you've never seen the thrill on the faces of children who catch
their first fish, or feel the excitement of an old timer, who has
spent many many hours fishing, still feel that same thrill as the
first time they caught a fish, you might want to. Did you know that
fishing on a boat is a special thrill for those who are blind, deaf
or handicapped in other ways? Or the first time, an underprivileged
child or adult gets taken out on a boat? Just being out is their
excitement but add in catching their first fish or seeing a dolphin
or 100. How about the veteran's that go fishing to combat PTSD?
This is what it's about. 

If this passes, you will be eliminating affordable access to those
who cannot afford their own boat. To ask the boat owners to raise
prices will make it impossible for low to middle class income
people.  This is not even an option. Furthermore, to build a new
boat will cost $4million or more which, will be out of reach for
most of the owners. Not to mention the time it would take to build
such a boat times 80 +. The boats will be bigger so docking could
be a problem. I know it would be in our harbor. 

Our company generates a lot of income for the county harbor. With
the sportfishing and whale watching at risk, so will the harbors
income be at risk. Everyone is trying to recover from Covid-19.
California says they want to help small businesses recover. If this
industry gets shut down, it will affect employment, the local
restaurants, hotels, tackle stores, gas stations, etc. It's a big
deal. And no one will be buying fishing licenses. Has anyone looked
at all of this? Ocean Sportfishing generates a LOT of money selling
fishing licenses. 

I believe the proposed Harbor Craft rule will put us and the 12
Sportfishing/ Whale watching boats, as well as the bait company, at
our landing, out of business. And this is just our one company.

Please consider keeping the passenger boats in the same category as
commercial fishing boats. They all have access to upgrading to the
most current engines and technology to help with the air quality.

Thank you for taking the time to read this comment.
Doug Vernand
Liz Vernand
Ryan Vernand
Channel Islands Sportfishing
Oxnard, CA 93035