Comment Log Display

Board Members

My name is Kimberly Smith and I am an avid sports fisher.   I take
my family out on fishing boats around the Bay Area during salmon
and crab season.  It's an opportunity for my family to come
together.  We've finally found something that has generational
appeal that brings our family together. That's hard to do in the
era of ever expanding technology.  

My understanding is that new regulations that require small
passenger fishing boats to purchase expensive new equipment, will
put these boats in immediate danger of closing.  

I fish on these boats year round.  The cost of operating is quite
high and the return quite variable. Delayed salmon crab seasons and
COVID restrictions , while necessary , caused tremendous financial
harm to this industry that they have still not recovered from. 

Sportsfishing is a viral industry.  Please consider the thousands
of families that will not have access to the ocean waters if this
industry collapses due to these regulations. 

While the call for cooperation from passenger sports fishing boats
to the protection and safety of whales is necessary, imposing
industry killing regulations might not be the most prudent  course
of action.  

In consideration of the recent financial catastrophes that have
befallen this industry, the Commission should consider an extension
to the implementation of these regulations to allow the industry
time to develop and afford the proposed solutions. 

In the meantime whales and other sea life can be protected by
improving tracking of whale migration in order to prevent conflicts
between whales and Sportsfishing Fish and Game can then open and
close fishing seasons accordingly.  

I urge the Board to delay the implementation of these industry
killing regulations.  

Thank you for your consideration.