Section 8585.5 Of Article 17. Nearshore Fisheries Management Act From California Fish And Game Code >> Division 6. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 17.
8585.5
. The Legislature finds and declares that important
commercial and recreational fisheries exist on numerous stocks of
rockfish (genus Sebastes), California sheephead (genus
Semicossyphus), kelp greenling (genus Hexagrammos), cabezon (genus
Scorpaenichthys), and scorpionfish (genus Scorpaena), in the
nearshore state waters extending from the shore to one nautical mile
offshore the California coast, that there is increasing pressure
being placed on these fish from recreational and commercial
fisheries, that many of these fish species found in the nearshore
waters are slow growing and long lived, and that, if depleted, many
of these species may take decades to rebuild. The Legislature further
finds and declares that, although extensive research has been
conducted on some of these species by state and federal governments,
there are many gaps in the information on these species and their
habitats and that there is no program currently adequate for the
systematic research, conservation, and management of nearshore fish
stocks and the sustainable activity of recreational and commercial
nearshore fisheries. The Legislature further finds and declares that
recreational fishing in California generates funds pursuant to the
Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. Secs. 777 to
777l, inclusive), with revenues used for, among other things,
research, conservation, and management of nearshore fish. The
Legislature further finds and declares that a program for research
and conservation of nearshore fish species and their habitats is
needed, and that a management program for the nearshore fisheries is
necessary. The Legislature further finds and declares that the
commission should be granted additional authority to regulate the
commercial and recreational fisheries to assure the sustainable
populations of nearshore fish stocks. Lastly, the Legislature finds
and declares that, whenever feasible and practicable, it is the
policy of the state to assure sustainable commercial and recreational
nearshore fisheries, to protect recreational opportunities, and to
assure long-term employment in commercial and recreational fisheries.