As per the news report the local fishing industry from areas around Point Conception to the Mexico border could be harmed due to possible fishing restriction. It is informed that the possible restrictions are part of the Marine Life Protection Act. It is said that this decision expected a $4.7 billion economic impact statewide.
Experts believe that the proposed changes may wipe out an entire industry. Business owner Thomas Gomes opined that they are getting hit in the gut in some of this stuff. Every time they step forward with giving up an area the other side takes a step back wanting more and more and more. There are several fishing restriction proposals currently on the table, and the state has not set specific locations but the ban could affect the coast from Santa Barbara all the way to the Mexico border.
It is fact that San Diego has the largest fishing fleet in the world and many anglers are worried now. Gomes said that there is a lot at stake in this process; people’s livelihood is at stake here. The ban would affect recreational and commercial fishing, not to mention the businesses that rely on both.
Jonathan Zaidman with Wildcoast said there is a misconception that environmentalists want to ban fishing altogether. Zaidman said less than 1 percent of the world’s oceans are protected, but opponents said already more than two dozen areas are protected in central California.
