There are organizations that do a good job of representing people who get out and get personally involved in nature on a regular basis.
Some represent people who like to engage in traditional activities, such as putting their own fresh food on the table rather than relying on others to do their killing for them so food is all available pre-packaged in the supermarket. These organizations deserve some praise and promotion.
Our wildlife managers rely on fishers and hunters to help keep wild populations in balance. The golden goal of wildlife management is sustainable fisheries in the water and populations of game on land.
Wildlife management is an amazingly complex process that in a nutshell looks like this:
Stock assessments are done to know what a population is. Then reproductive capacities and population growth are studied in relation to current habitat conditions. A total allowable take is calculated with the goal of leaving plenty of wild stock for ongoing sustainability and population growth where desirable.
Then the allowable take is divided between recreational and commercial interests. Recreational interests are people who fish and hunt for their family table. Commercial interests sell to the public.
On the saltwater fishing scene, our biggest and most important representative organization is Coastal Conservation Association – California Chapter (CCA-Cal).
I am honored to sit on the state Board of Directors of CCA-Cal, so I know how much hard work they have been doing. Below is a message they put out to inform interested parties of their efforts and results.
MESSAGE FROM CCA-CAL:
Win…Win…Win
CCA-CAL is excited to let everyone know about the outcomes from a great many projects we have been working on. Here is a short list of accomplishments that help our environment and promote recreational angling across this great country:
1. AB 3030, postponed until next year with CCA-CAL working hard on a fair compromise for this bill (proposal to close 30% of CA’s land, water, and ocean by 2030).
2. AB 1949, passed both houses and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom … thanks to Assembly member Tasha Boerner Horvath and to CCA-California for sponsoring the bill. (updates statutory language for CA’s hatchery program).
3. American Conservation Enhancement Act (S. 3051 ACE Act). Reauthorizes funds for habitat restoration, puts five-year moratorium on regulating lead used in fishing tackle, etc.
4. National Fish Habitat Partnership. Ensures on-the-ground aquatic restoration projects that will benefit recreational anglers.
5. Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (Effort to designate large marine area in central California) not established as proposed and replaced by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries with a five-year review period.
Executive director Wayne Kotow said: “We are working hard BUT NEED YOUR HELP! Please join CCA California today!”
To join, go to www.joincca.org.
— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.