Perhaps if California's marine fisheries were in abundant numbers, then the idea of marine reserves would never have been conceived. Recreational fisherman are not the problem... never have, never will. There is a new bill - Senate Bill 236 introduced by Senator Dede Alpert (D, San Diego), that proposes to sharply restrict fishing with bottom trawl gear. Noticed the increased populations of coastal Halibut within the last few years? Many suspect that the '98 ban on inshore gill netting had something to do with this increase. A similiar restriction on bottom trawling might initiate an equal growth. Letters addressed to the governor ought to address bottom trawling practices as well.

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