Well, that's exactly what California Assemblymember Bill Monning (D-Carmel) thought when he called the Monterey Bay Aquarium for their counsel and support for such a bill.
The Aquarium's Seafood Watch and policy teams worked with Monning's office to word legislation that could really benefit both California's fisheries, and the sustainable seafood movement.
Yesterday, (Monday October 12) the bill was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger! Thank you to all of our supporters who took the time to write via our online tool. Many thanks also to the Seafood Watch partners who co-signed a chef and restaurant letter in support.
We were so pleased to work with Assemblyman Bill Monning in shaping this important piece of legislation. At a time when our oceans are in crisis, commercial fishermen are struggling and fisheries are in decline, it is more important than ever to support the work of people who are fishing responsibly and to ensure that they get the assistance they need to win official certification of their practices. Now they have tools that will help them bring their seafood to market, especially locally, here in California.Aquarium Vice President, Mike Sutton said, "Governor Schwarzenegger again today proved himself an ocean champion by signing AB1217 into law. This new law will encourage more sustainable fishing in California and help our fishermen compete in global markets that increasingly demand seafood from sustainable sources.”
California is leading the way toward a future with healthy oceans. The Sustainable Seafood Bill is the latest example of legislation recognizing that ocean-friendly is good for people and for ocean ecosystems. It is a wonderful way to help celebrate our 25th anniversary, and a gift for future generations.
Watch Assemblymember Monning introduce the bill for a final vote.
I have added a new link to the bill text, and a short video that explains they key components
Posted by: cosplay costume | April 05, 2012 at 12:20 AM
Jimmy TH: There's good news about the effectiveness of marine protected areas in helping rebuild fish populations, http://www.piscoweb.org/outreach/pubs/reserves.
California's creating a statewide network of protected areas. Coupled with the sustainable fishing bill, there are reasons to be hopeful.
Posted by: Ken Peterson | March 24, 2010 at 08:20 AM
Good that something is being tried, but the time to institute sustainable fishing was when the fisheries were still healthy. Usually we don't take steps until fisheries have crashed, and populations don't always recover even with protection.
Posted by: JimmyTH | March 23, 2010 at 03:54 PM
good to hear! I'm glad the ocean is getting some love.
Posted by: Star Surf | January 19, 2010 at 01:29 PM
The full text of the bill is available at:
http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/AB_1217/
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1763432348 | October 17, 2009 at 01:33 PM
Success!
Posted by: Mike | October 16, 2009 at 08:45 AM
Thank you for your comments requesting more information. I have added a new link to the bill text, and a short video that explains they key components. Alison, Monterey Bay Aquarium
Posted by: Alison Barratt | October 15, 2009 at 03:06 PM
Can someone explain the law and what it does?
Posted by: Julie | October 15, 2009 at 08:15 AM
It'd be nice if you had a sentence or two explaining what exactly the bill does... I read your email on my cell phone, and it was a bit of a pain to figure this out.
Posted by: Ania | October 15, 2009 at 04:43 AM