Joint Committee on Fisheries Takes Testimony on Fish and Game Strategic Vision

SACRAMENTO, CA:  The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture held the 38th Annual Fisheries Forum on February 16.  Chaired by Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro this included a review of the Department of Fish and Game and Fish and Game Commission.  Secretary of Natural Resources John Laird reported that one of his top priorities is implementation of AB 2376 - DFG Strategic Vision which was based in part of the Treanor Report authored by the retired Executive Director of the Commission Bob Treanor and The Sportfishing Conservancy's April Wakeman.

Ms Wakeman then testified as to the problems faced by the Department including increased mandates with no additional funding or resources to fulfill these mandates.  The goal of the legislation was to take a good look at what the department has been asked to do and how to do it.  "While both the commission and department do incredible work with their limited resources, it's not fair to either the employees or to our resources to endlessly add responsibility without the necessary resources to fulfill those responsibilities," observed Wakeman.

Although some groups had argued that perceived private funding would somehow 'taint' the results of the hearings, a provision for private funding was not part of the legislation.

CONTACT:? Jay Geer MGA, Inc. (562) 467-2020?Tom Raftican The Sportfishing Conservancy (805) 895-3000