The California Fish and Game Commission abruptly canceled a teleconference Thursday morning amid cries of “make fishing great again!” and “fascists!” before it could consider authorizing a limited ban on sportfishing in some areas.
Earlier this week, a group of conservative politicians, sheriffs and media outlets told their followers that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration was planning to outright cancel the fishing season statewide because of COVID-19.
Some rural communities fear too many out-of-town anglers would import the new coronavirus and infect residents. About 1 million licensed anglers regularly fish California’s waterways through the year, making the state one of the country’s most active fishing states.
The intent of the state’s proposed order was more limited, however. The Fish and Game Commission’s teleconference meeting Thursday was supposed to decide whether to give emergency powers to Charlton Bonham, Newsom’s appointee overseeing the Department of Fish and Wildlife, so he could close fishing season in certain areas at the request of local officials.
State officials and participants urged everyone on the line to mute their lines amid the howls of background noise and beeping as dozens called in. One of those who didn’t mute shouted, “I have a right to speak!”
“Fascists!” another said.
“You cancel, we’re just coming back,” another said.
“Let’s make fishing great again!” said another.
“Make a stand! Join the Klan!” said another as the meeting devolved into chaos.
At one point, someone broadcast what sounded like an evangelist’s sermon.
The commission stopped the meeting because members of the five-member board couldn’t get on the line and have a quorum, the majority of members needed to hold a vote.
Full story and audio portion of meeting:
https://www.sacbee.com/sports/outdoors/ ... 86476.html
I relax by going fishing I went yesterday striper and catfishing we saw and talk to 5 other anglers we all caught fish.
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