Open Season on California Stripped Bass! – Jean Fuller AB 1253

This is terrible news! Another fine example of good leadership. The picture above is unfortunately what this stupid bill would lead to. Over harvest. A terrible example of stewardship. Regardless of the “non-native” status, we have a responsibility to be good stewards of our fisheries, commercial and sport. I do realize that some of us would continue to practice catch and release, but I know some would fish day & night seven days a week and keep EVERY SINGLE Stripped Bass they catch!

This little guy would not stand a chance and would be fair game under AB 1253

I did a search for the bill and I have not found very much information on it. If you have a link, please post it as a comment.

JD over at Fish With JD had a post on the same subject:
“Introduced by Assemblywoman Jean Fuller, R-Bakersfield last Friday, AB 1253 would lift fishing restrictions on striped bass, which are non-native to California. The rationale is strippers are invasive, apex predators that devour endangered fish such as Delta smelt, winter-run Chinook salmon and the soon to be listed longfin smelt….”
Read his complete post here and my addition to it below;

Ya, I heard about this a couple weeks ago… In my terminal optimism I hope it goes nowhere! Absolutely insane!
“the Bay-Delta Sport Fishing Enhancement Stamp that was slated for striped bass recovery.”
Now they want to lift the regulations? Freakin idiots!

I moved up here from SoCal (San Diego) and I’m here to stay. This is my home now and I have a solution.
First of all, I’m convinced that the politicians have forgotten, SoCal is a desert! I know! Those rumors of 75 & Sunny year around? Bull! Maybe at the beaches! Get 10 or so miles inland and it’s more like 80′s+. I have pictures of my kids playing in the sprinklers and pool from Jan. last year (85+). Think high 80′s-100 for a good 6-8 months! It’s a desert!!!

Here’s my solution: BUILD A DESALINIZATION PLANT! They have done it successfully in Tampa! “25-million-gallon per day (mgd) rated production capacity makes it the largest seawater desalination plant in North America.” Take a look at what they have done in the Middle East, Dubai (UAE),  & North Africa!

How about Co-Generation?! – “Cogeneration is the process of using excess heat from power production to accomplish another task. In the sense of desalination, cogeneration is the production of potable water from seawater or brackish groundwater in an integrated, or “dual-purpose”, facility in which a power plant is used as the source of energy for the desalination process. The facility’s energy production may be dedicated entirely to the production of potable water (a stand-alone facility), or excess energy may be produced and incorporated into the energy grid (a true cogeneration facility).”

All the $$ spent on all of the other so-called solutions, (pumping stations, legislation, etc) would have paid for one by now. In addition, (and I don’t wish this on anyone) they could get the $$ back by taxing those who use the water! There are probably several other solutions. The politicians just need to seek them out.

A nice 30" California Stripped Bass - Would disappear after a few years