HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 07281992 - 1.65 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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FROM: HARVEY E. BRAGDON ;,�, Costa
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
County
A C•••N...
DATE: JULY 28, 1992
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR BOARD POSITION OPPOSING COMMERCIAL FISHING FOR ABALONE IN
NORTH COAST WATERS
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Support petition to oppose commercial harvesting of abalone in
north coast waters, and continue current restrictions.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
BACKGROUND[REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Board consideration of this issue is in response to two letters
from Mr. Keith Fisher, requesting a Board position of opposition to
opening the North Coast waters to. commercial harvesting of abalone.
Currently, the Department of Fish and Game allows no commercial
fishing of abalone in north coast waters, and allows a 4 abalone
limit for sport fishing purposes. On the North Coast, only snorkel
gear is allowed. These restrictions have been in effect for at
least 10 years. Currently, due to these restrictions, this
resource is reasonably healthy at this time, according to Doug
Albin, Department of Fish and Game.
For some time, Commercial fishing organizations have been
petitioning the Department of Fish and Game to consider opening the
abalone fishery for commercial purposes. The Department of Fish
and Game may be holding a hearing on August 6, 1992 (there is a
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATUR
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMEND ION OF B D C MMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S) :
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED �_ OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN
AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
Orig: Community Development Department (CDD) ATTESTED
Cc: Mr. Keith Fisher (via CDD) iHI19 BAThHELOA, CLERK OF
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
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Request for Board Position Opposing Commercial
Fishing for Abalone in North Coast Waters
Continued - Page Two
possibility of postponement) to consider this issue. Mr. Fisher
has requested that the Board take a position on this issue prior to
the hearing date. There is considerable concern that opening the
North Coast to commercial fishing of abalone will decimate the
fishery, which has occurred in Southern California areas.
Currently in Southern California, Commercial harvesting is allowed,
and scuba gear may be used for sport fishing purposes. As a
result, stocks are extremely depleted, according to the Department
of Fish and Game.
In addition to concerns regarding the health of the resource, the
Department of Fish and Game has concerns that oversight/enforcement
activities will prove almost impossible, due to current manpower
constraints.
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