Letter to the Editor

Under Attack

Dear Editor:

The future of the State of California sport fishing industry is again under attack by CalTrout, a non-profit that promotes the Heritage and Wild Trout Program. CalTrout is against the hatchery system of growing and planting fish financed by sports fishing licenses. In other words, it would be fine if DFG were not able to plant catchable fish in the lakes, rivers and streams in Mono County.

CalTrout has sponsored SB 1148 that, if passed, would reprioritize DFG’s mission so that the wild and native trout programs would take priority over hatchery operations.

In 2005, with the leadership of then Senator Dave Cogdill, AB 7 was passed with years of effort and support from many of us in Mono County. AB 7 was intended to require that DFG focus on hatchery operations and guarantee a minimum level of funding to ensure that a positive fishing experience could by enjoyed all Californians. Those are the Californians who buy fishing licenses that pay for the hatchery and many other DFG managed programs.

Mr. Cogdill wrote to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on July 26, to request opposition to SB 1148. All of us who support fishing should do the same. You can contact former Senator Cogdill at 209.765.7594 to learn of the status of the effort to defeat SB 1148. We must support our fishing industry.

Bob Peters
Bridgeport