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Mar. 18, 2003
Fishing groups seek restraining order for Channel Islands
Associated Press
VENTURA, Calif. - Attorneys representing fishing groups sought a temporary restraining order to allow their clients to continue fishing around the Channel Islands before the area is turned into marine reserves.
Fisherman claim they will lose money if the fishing ban around the Channel Islands is allowed. The approved restrictions are supposed to take effect April 9, but a hearing on a permanent injunction against creation of the marine reserves may take place in Ventura County Superior Court before that date, said Ilson New, an attorney representing a coalition of fishing groups.
Judge Steven Hintz heard final arguments on the temporary restraining order Monday and took the matter under submission. He did not indicate when he would issue a ruling.
The California Fish and Game Commission voted Oct. 23 to create the 175-square-mile network of marine reserves, one of the largest in U.S. waters. The regulations creating the marine reserves are meant to give endangered white abalone, rockfish, giant kelp forests and an array of other species a chance to recover from years of excessive fishing.
The fishing groups filed a lawsuit in December, accusing the state of failing to collect information for the marine areas before they created them.
"These are not picky little objections or violations - they are major," New said.
Fishermen fear that if they are prevented from fishing around the islands while their lawsuit proceeds they will lose customers to other areas, such as Mexico or Canada, New said. Those customers would be difficult to regain if the fishing groups prevail in the suit and the reserves are not created, he added.
"That's an enormous financial blow. It's severe," New said.
State officials said the marine reserves comprise only 19 percent of the state-controlled waters surrounding the islands and fishermen stand to lose only 16 percent of their revenue if the regulations go into effect.
Fishing groups seek restraining order for Channel Islands
Associated Press
VENTURA, Calif. - Attorneys representing fishing groups sought a temporary restraining order to allow their clients to continue fishing around the Channel Islands before the area is turned into marine reserves.
Fisherman claim they will lose money if the fishing ban around the Channel Islands is allowed. The approved restrictions are supposed to take effect April 9, but a hearing on a permanent injunction against creation of the marine reserves may take place in Ventura County Superior Court before that date, said Ilson New, an attorney representing a coalition of fishing groups.
Judge Steven Hintz heard final arguments on the temporary restraining order Monday and took the matter under submission. He did not indicate when he would issue a ruling.
The California Fish and Game Commission voted Oct. 23 to create the 175-square-mile network of marine reserves, one of the largest in U.S. waters. The regulations creating the marine reserves are meant to give endangered white abalone, rockfish, giant kelp forests and an array of other species a chance to recover from years of excessive fishing.
The fishing groups filed a lawsuit in December, accusing the state of failing to collect information for the marine areas before they created them.
"These are not picky little objections or violations - they are major," New said.
Fishermen fear that if they are prevented from fishing around the islands while their lawsuit proceeds they will lose customers to other areas, such as Mexico or Canada, New said. Those customers would be difficult to regain if the fishing groups prevail in the suit and the reserves are not created, he added.
"That's an enormous financial blow. It's severe," New said.
State officials said the marine reserves comprise only 19 percent of the state-controlled waters surrounding the islands and fishermen stand to lose only 16 percent of their revenue if the regulations go into effect.
