California Governor Signs Historic Law

Governor Jerry Brown of California signed into law an act passed by his legislator to begin the phase out use of mile long commercial drift gillnets in open ocean off the state’s shores. This is a major step forward to reducing bycatch mortality of sea turtles, marine mammals and other marine creatures caught in the large mesh gillnets fished for swordfish.   Deep-set buoy gear is being tested in federal waters off California under an Exempted Fishing Permit. Compensation for drift gillnet fishermen is provided for in the Bill to help transition to other swordfishing gear.