Statement: Approval of California Fisheries Master Plan marks a big leap forward for sustainable fisheries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The California Fish and Game Commission in Sacramento will now manage California’s many marine fisheries under an innovative new Fisheries Master Plan, aiming to modernize implementation of the 1999 Marine Life Management Act (MLMA). While the MLMA remains an effective framework for fisheries management, the original Master Plan for implementing the law required major updates after becoming outdated and falling behind new innovations in fishery management. By revising the Master Plan to incorporate these innovations, the MLMA can better serve the future needs of California’s ecosystems, fisheries and the communities that depend on them. The following statement was issued by Greg Helms, Ocean Conservancy’s Fish Conservation Program Manager:

“The new Fisheries Master Plan will modernize and accelerate sustainable management for fisheries and increase efforts to protect the habitats they rely on.

“California fisheries and the ecosystem that sustains them are facing growing threats, such as kelp forest habitat die-offs and fishery closures scientists say are linked to a changing ocean climate – and the Department of Fish and Wildlife is rising to the occasion. With enough resources and commitment to this new Plan’s implementation, the Fisheries Master Plan can set California on a path to more sustainable, resilient fisheries and thriving marine ecosystems.

“The Fisheries Master Plan unveils new technology and scientific techniques to sustainably manage California’s fisheries with limited biological information, and streamlined management options for more cost-effective fishery management of California’s sport and commercial fisheries.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• California’s many marine fisheries will be managed under the new Fisheries Master Plan after its consideration and approval by the California Fish and Game Commission in Sacramento on June 20^th, 2018.
• The Fisheries Master Plan will modernize and accelerate sustainable management action for fisheries like white seabass, spiny lobster and Dungeness crab, and increase efforts to protect the habitats they rely on and the other animals caught in fishing for them.
• California’s numerous inshore fisheries have long been hampered with insufficient funding compared to the large offshore fisheries occurring in adjacent federal waters. The Governor has proposed a significant new investment in the Department of Fish and Wildlife to advance the MLMA Master Plan’s implementation which is currently under consideration by the Legislature.