“Recreational fishing in California is under attack every day,” says Wayne Kotow, executive director of the Coastal Conservation Association – California.

In a year-end report to the Oceanside Senior Anglers on December 5th, he reported on the proposed Modern Fishing Act, which will hopefully separate future resource data into recreational anglers vs. commercial operations. “We get blamed for a lot of what the commercial guys have caused.”

“We’re not against commercial fishing, but we’re in favor of gear that doesn’t hurt the resource,” said Kotow. The association wants to get deep-set buoy gear (similar to long-line fishing) approved so that industry can use it and avoid by-catch and kill.

“We’re about truthful science. Facts!” said Kotow. “Not opinions presented as fact that get twisted into their storyline.” He was referring to the association’s fight on the local, state, and federal levels against the shutdown of recreational fishing. “When I go to meetings in Sacramento, there are 3 recreational fishing organizations represented, and 30 environmental groups.”

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