UPDATE: Ropeless Crab Traps by 2025

Hate to make this about politics but it absolutely is.  Just another bill introduced by someone that has no idea what they are talking about or how it would affect those that enjoy our hobby. Nor do they care. I am in law enforcement and the number of bills directly attacking LE is astounding.   Until we vote to change the so-called leadership in this state, things will only get worse.

The 70's were such a  better time to be an outdoors person.
It didn't cost an arm and a leg to go out and have fun.
You didn't have to have what amounts to a law degree to understand the regs.
Campsites were actually able to come by without a reservation. Spur of the moment camping was often and without any hassle.
I am glad to have been part of the spoiled bunch. We had it made.

Plus there were ALOT more fish  to catch! And Crabs

Scotty

That sounds great, but I can’t help but wonder if the lack of regulations back then is why we have much less fish today. Of course the bigger issue is the number of people engaging in these activities, which on one hand is nice that more people are experiencing nature, but we can’t ignore the stress it puts on our ecosystems. Marine life had decreased dramatically and it wasn’t cause of Y2K. I’m a young guy and never got to experience those plentiful 20th century fishing years, but I count my blessings. I want my kids to be able to catch a salmon, see a whale, and live in a world that still has a rich marine ecosystem. So conservation is important to me. That being said, I don’t think this bill is the right approach, at least now. I’m down to hear the innovation argument, but I agree that the number of undeployed traps that will line the bottom is a bigger problem. If whales getting tangled is a real issue, perhaps biodegradable ropes are a better solution. I feel like the dialogue is critical here though, and we can’t retreat into warring factions of regulators vs sportsmen. We all have a duty to protect our shared resources.

The 70's were such a  better time to be an outdoors person.
It didn't cost an arm and a leg to go out and have fun.
You didn't have to have what amounts to a law degree to understand the regs.
Campsites were actually able to come by without a reservation. Spur of the moment camping was often and without any hassle.
I am glad to have been part of the spoiled bunch. We had it made.

Plus there were ALOT more fish  to catch! And Crabs

Scotty

I agree. I actually formulated a funny law, kind of like Murphy’s laws, that states that all things eventually degrade. Our government degrades, our money degrades, Hobie kayaks will degrade .. I came up with this law after noticing that every few years I switch my favorite coffee shop, and not because I’m bored, but because it’s not what it used to be. It’s sad. At least I try to improve, so that I defy the law!!

Seems like quite the jump in restrictions considering they don't even require lead line. Have there been studies showing a large effect of recreational traps on whales and turtles?

I’m sure the geniuses who run this state will demand to see solid scientific evidence before voting for wise and cost effective regulations to mitigate the problem...

The 70's were such a  better time to be an outdoors person.
It didn't cost an arm and a leg to go out and have fun.
You didn't have to have what amounts to a law degree to understand the regs.
Campsites were actually able to come by without a reservation. Spur of the moment camping was often and without any hassle.
I am glad to have been part of the spoiled bunch. We had it made.

Plus there were ALOT more fish  to catch! And Crabs

Scotty

That sounds great, but I can’t help but wonder if the lack of regulations back then is why we have much less fish today. Of course the bigger issue is the number of people engaging in these activities, which on one hand is nice that more people are experiencing nature, but we can’t ignore the stress it puts on our ecosystems. Marine life had decreased dramatically and it wasn’t cause of Y2K. I’m a young guy and never got to experience those plentiful 20th century fishing years, but I count my blessings. I want my kids to be able to catch a salmon, see a whale, and live in a world that still has a rich marine ecosystem. So conservation is important to me. That being said, I don’t think this bill is the right approach, at least now. I’m down to hear the innovation argument, but I agree that the number of undeployed traps that will line the bottom is a bigger problem. If whales getting tangled is a real issue, perhaps biodegradable ropes are a better solution. I feel like the dialogue is critical here though, and we can’t retreat into warring factions of regulators vs sportsmen. We all have a duty to protect our shared resources.

Let's face it.  Our ability to catch every last fish in the ocean has exceeded the ability for the ocean to keep up.  And we're doing it with technology that far exceeds what was available back in the 70's.  Fisheries today are managed for Maximum Sustainable Yield, and even then we have limits in terms of seasons and open areas.  The environment just can't produce the catches we'd like to see day in and day out.  The best we can hope for is to manage the extreme swings in productivity, but even then, the science doesn't always know until after the fact.  The science hasn't been able to completely comprehend all the factors that go into productivity.  And the tide has turned to conservative management in the absence of full understanding.

-Allen

Amen on that.
 60's and 70's. For small water craft. No GPS .Depth finder, probably not. Radio, seldom on board. Accurate instant weather readings...not a chance. Social media broadcasting hot spots. Unheard of. You went out with a compass and if rock fishing read the cliff structure leading into the sea for a hint of what might be below. Fewer people fishing then  but also harder and riskier. it won't be long before technology creates a an underwater drone camera that reveals every fish underneath one's boat to a screen on the deck. Alan's right. Fish cannot survive without some form of limiting take. And that take, per person,  will diminish.

So the clown that wrote this bill just got nominated to be the next California Attorney General.

https://www.kcra.com/article/newsom-nominates-rob-bonta-california-attorney-general/35928569#

Not that it helps but there is a pretty decent article in the chronicle about it today

Looks like the ropeless crab gear bill won't go through this time.   

https://www.nationalfisherman.com/west-coast-pacific/california-ropeless-gear-bill-dies-without-a-hearing