This is what you get for a $41.00 anual saltwater license in California...
a shortage of game wardens and a new $5 voluntary tag to raise money for state salaries.
That's just great!
Sport fishers land some big ones
By Kristopher Hanson Staff Writer
Posted: 12/06/2009 10:25:40 PM PST
Tom Raftican runs the Sportfishing Conservancy. (Brittany Murray Staff Telegram)
LONG BEACH - It's been a productive year for Tom Raftican and his Long Beach-based nonprofit Sportfishing Conservancy.
In March, the grass-roots organization won a preliminary victory when the state's Fish and Game Commission agreed to end the requirement that fishermen wear angler licenses around their necks - ending a longtime source of frustration for recreational anglers who argued the licenses were obstructive and potentially dangerous if caught in a fishing line during a day at sea or on the lake.
And this week, the conservancy's drive to create a voluntary $5 hunting and fishing "stamp" - or decal - directly supporting California's roughly 375 game wardens is expected to be unveiled in Los Angeles, said Lorna Bernard, a Department of Fish and Game spokeswoman.
The image will be reminiscent of the original game warden badge, but authorities have not picked the final image. They expect to do so Tuesday, Bernard said.
The sticker stamp, which would be offered to the more than 2 million people who purchase hunting/fishing licenses in California each year, could generate millions annually to help pay for new warden equipment, training, support for warden dogs and to supplement a warden widows' fund.
But its overall success will depend on a willingness to kick in an extra $5 on top of the fees - which can range from $6.50 to $143 - already required by the state to hunt and fish.
For example, if 15 percent of recreational hunters and anglers purchased the stamp in 2010, $1.5 million would be raised for the fund. Officials also hope to market the stamp to environmental groups and conservationists, who support warden efforts to end poaching and preserve wildlife.
Raftican hopes to raise participation to 40 or 50 percent through an aggressive statewide "campaign of solidarity" among anglers, hunters and the wardens, whose budget has been slashed as the state reels from an ever-deepening budget crisis.
"Anglers and hunters and conservationists know these wardens and they understand the importance wardens play in overseeing preservation and protection of the state's abundant hunting and fishing areas," Raftican said. "I strongly believe they'll be inclined to chip in an extra $5 to help. I know I'm personally going to be challenging them to do as much every chance I get."
Raftican said Sportfishing Conservancy has agreed to purchase the first 200 stamps, which he will send out to 200 angling clubs throughout the state with a note encouraging them to ask their tens of thousands of members to purchase the stamp when renewing their licenses.
"If we get half of the people purchasing hunting and fishing licenses next year to peel off that extra $5, just think of the impact it could have," Raftican said. "That's about $5 million wardens badly need right now to replace equipment and support their operations. It's just an all-around good cause."
In California, sport fishing is big business, supporting more than 40,000 jobs and roughly $2 billion in sales annually for sport-fishing equipment alone, according to the Sportfishing Association of California, a trade organization.
It's the job of the state's Fish and Game wardens to oversee hunting and fishing laws on land and water, protect wildlife, investigate violations, prevent poaching and enforce environmental law, among other duties.
Wardens carry handguns, testify in court and have a jurisdiction covering some 4,800 lakes, 1,100 miles of coastline, 80 major rivers and more than 350 endangered or protected wildlife species.
But with just 200 or so officers - a level the state says has dropped to a number last seen in the 1950s - it's a taxing job made more difficult with the recent cuts.
While fishing and hunting licenses generate about $72 million annually for Fish and Game activities, including warden pay, there remains little left over for new equipment and other necessities.
"Anglers have persistently led the fight for conservation and wardens have tirelessly protected California's resources," said April Wakeman, the Sportfishing Conservancy's program director. "Great fishing depends on great resources."
Helping wildlife
What: Voluntary $5 hunting and fishing stamp/sticker, which will be offered to all sport fishermen and hunters when they apply for required licenses.
Why: To generate money for a legally protected fund from which California's roughly 200 game wardens could draw money for new equipment, training or to supplement a warden widow/families fund. Game wardens are responsible for enforcement of fishing and hunting laws, prevention of poaching and wildlife and environmental protection, among other duties.
Cost: $5
Where: The stamp will be available anytime an individual purchases a fishing or hunting license, including through the Fish and Game Web site,
www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing.
Image: Unavailable, although Department of Fish and Game officials are expected to unveil the image Thursday in Los Angeles.
Current sport fishing and hunting fees: Can range from $13 for a one-day sport fishing license to $143 for a nonresident license to hunt land mammals or birds. Annual sport fishing and hunting licenses for Californians cost about $41, although those under 16 years are exempt from most fees.
On July 4 and Sept. 6, the state does not require sport fishing licenses for any person.
Web site: Sport fishing Conservancy -
www.sportcon.org. California Department of Fish and Game -
www.dfg.ca.gov.
562-499-1466,
kristopher.hanson@presstelegram.com
