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California's declining Chinook salmon populations would gain a new legal distinction under a state law proposed by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael.
Huffman's bill, AB 2063, proposes to declare Chinook salmon the "official state anadromous fish," distinguishing its ocean-going status from California's existing state fish, the freshwater golden trout. The bill, introduced Thursday, does not distinguish among the state's four Chinook salmon runs and does not propose new regulatory measures.
It directs the Fish and Game Commission and the Department of Fish and Game to restore Chinook populations to undefined "sustainable levels" within a decade. Restoring the fall-run Chinook, mainstay of California's salmon fishing industry, could generate $5 billion in revenue and 94,000 jobs, according to the bill.
"Given their incredible resilience, their important role in California's history, and the critical values they provide today for both healthy ecosystems and the state's economy, it is fitting that the Chinook salmon be officially recognized as the state anadromous fish," Huffman said in a statement.
The bill is coauthored by Assemblymembers Wes Chesbro, D-Arcata, and Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa; and Senators Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa.
The bill can be viewed online.
More...
Huffman's bill, AB 2063, proposes to declare Chinook salmon the "official state anadromous fish," distinguishing its ocean-going status from California's existing state fish, the freshwater golden trout. The bill, introduced Thursday, does not distinguish among the state's four Chinook salmon runs and does not propose new regulatory measures.
It directs the Fish and Game Commission and the Department of Fish and Game to restore Chinook populations to undefined "sustainable levels" within a decade. Restoring the fall-run Chinook, mainstay of California's salmon fishing industry, could generate $5 billion in revenue and 94,000 jobs, according to the bill.
"Given their incredible resilience, their important role in California's history, and the critical values they provide today for both healthy ecosystems and the state's economy, it is fitting that the Chinook salmon be officially recognized as the state anadromous fish," Huffman said in a statement.
The bill is coauthored by Assemblymembers Wes Chesbro, D-Arcata, and Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa; and Senators Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa.
The bill can be viewed online.
More...
