(Sacramento, CA): The California Sportfishing League announced that the California Fish and Game Commission will consider a plan to transition the state from a calendar-based fishing license system to one that is valid for a full 12-months from the date of purchase.
At its October 8, 2015 meeting in Los Angeles, the Commission will consider the recommendation of its Wildlife Resources Committee (WRC) to support in concept a 12-month license, despite objections presented by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Both Commission President Jack Baylis and Commission Vice President Jim Kellogg stated at the meeting that they believe switching to a 12-month license will increase license sales.
"The high cost of fishing has contributed to an unprecedented decline in annual fishing license sales," said Marko Mlikotin, CSL's executive director. "Our aim is to increase participation rates by making fishing affordable and accessible, which will have the added benefit of protecting jobs and communities dependent on outdoor tourism."
At the WRC's September 9, 2015 meeting, the California Sportfishing League introduced examples of states such as neighboring Arizona and Utah where the transition to a 12-month fishing license program resulted in an increase in fishing license sales and revenue. In 2015, the states of Maryland and South Carolina transitioned to a 12-month system, and numerous other states have recently adopted innovative marketing strategies designed to retain and grow fishing license programs. Despite a national movement to increase fishing participation through innovation, California remains committed to an antiquated system that has not undergone significant changes in decades.
"While California's fishing participation rates continue to decline, the Department of Fish and Wildlife fails to recognize the urgency of reforming an antiquated fishing license program that funds fishery management, fish hatcheries and habitat conservation programs," said Mlikotin. "There is no question that the failure to act will result in major financial problems for the department down the road."
CSL is the sponsor of Senate Bill 345, state legislation authored by Senator Tom Berryhill, that includes several provisions to reform California's costly fishing license program, including a provision that transitions the state to a 12-month license system.
The California Sportfishing League (CSL) is a nonprofit coalition of fresh and saltwater anglers, and small business owners devoted to protecting access to recreational fishing. Recreational fishing contributes over $4.9 billion annually to California's economy, a major contributor to outdoor tourism and jobs.
To learn more visit www.SportfishingConservation.org or @CASportfishing
At its October 8, 2015 meeting in Los Angeles, the Commission will consider the recommendation of its Wildlife Resources Committee (WRC) to support in concept a 12-month license, despite objections presented by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Both Commission President Jack Baylis and Commission Vice President Jim Kellogg stated at the meeting that they believe switching to a 12-month license will increase license sales.
"The high cost of fishing has contributed to an unprecedented decline in annual fishing license sales," said Marko Mlikotin, CSL's executive director. "Our aim is to increase participation rates by making fishing affordable and accessible, which will have the added benefit of protecting jobs and communities dependent on outdoor tourism."
At the WRC's September 9, 2015 meeting, the California Sportfishing League introduced examples of states such as neighboring Arizona and Utah where the transition to a 12-month fishing license program resulted in an increase in fishing license sales and revenue. In 2015, the states of Maryland and South Carolina transitioned to a 12-month system, and numerous other states have recently adopted innovative marketing strategies designed to retain and grow fishing license programs. Despite a national movement to increase fishing participation through innovation, California remains committed to an antiquated system that has not undergone significant changes in decades.
"While California's fishing participation rates continue to decline, the Department of Fish and Wildlife fails to recognize the urgency of reforming an antiquated fishing license program that funds fishery management, fish hatcheries and habitat conservation programs," said Mlikotin. "There is no question that the failure to act will result in major financial problems for the department down the road."
CSL is the sponsor of Senate Bill 345, state legislation authored by Senator Tom Berryhill, that includes several provisions to reform California's costly fishing license program, including a provision that transitions the state to a 12-month license system.
The California Sportfishing League (CSL) is a nonprofit coalition of fresh and saltwater anglers, and small business owners devoted to protecting access to recreational fishing. Recreational fishing contributes over $4.9 billion annually to California's economy, a major contributor to outdoor tourism and jobs.
To learn more visit www.SportfishingConservation.org or @CASportfishing
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