"Years of destructive fishing practices have hurt fish stocks and damaged the ocean bottom, in some cases irreparably," Alpert said. "As a coastal legislator, I am committed to improving the health of our oceans limiting practices - from bottom trawling to polluting - that harm the coastal environment."

Tom Raftican, president of United Anglers of Southern California and Bob Strickland, president of United Anglers, stood beside Alpert in support of SB 1459.

"We understand fishermen need to make a living, but it should not be at the expense of our marine resources," said Raftican. "The anti-trawling efforts led by Sen. Alpert will help to ensure the long-term health and economic viability of our fisheries and ocean life. Bottom trawling is like a farmer tearing his trees out by the root to get their fruit."

"The problem now is that the trawls are allowed by the PFMC to kill more canary and bocaccio rockfish in their bycatch than recreational anglers are allotted to legally take in a season," said Strickland. "Because of this, the public is being taken off the water for seven months."

Strickland emphasized, "We're not against commercial fishing. We're for clean fishing!"

Alpert's efforts also have the support of Oceana, one of the most vocal environmental groups dedicated to protecting the world's oceans through policy advocacy and education. The organization is helping to lead the charge to support Alpert's legislation to protect ocean habitat in California from bottom trawling.

"Nets dragged along the ocean floor can wipe out vital marine habitat," said Tim Eichenberg, Advisor and Consultant to Oceana. "We need this legislation to ensure this practice does not destroy fragile marine ecosystems so that ocean resources are preserved for future generations to enjoy."

Alpert has made bottom trawling a priority in this legislative session, her last before leaving office as a result of term limits. Over the past two years, she has brought together leaders in the fishing industry and environmental groups in an effort to find a resolution to the growing problem.

Some bottom trawling fisheries in California are not currently managed by the Fish and Game Commission under the Marine Life Management Act to protect ocean habitat and marine life. Bottom trawlers can destroy bottom habitat and drag up endangered or critically over-fished species, which often die and are dumped back into the sea as "by catch."

SB 1459 would grant the Fish and Game Commission authority over state bottom trawl fisheries, set standards for the use of by-catch reduction devices, and ensure that trawl gear is designed to limit the damage to bottom habitat. The bill would allow those with existing permits to continue fishing under the new bottom trawl requirements.

It is great to see environmental groups and recreational anglers groups getting together to push this long-needed bill through the State Legislature.

"This is an unusual coalition, with environmental groups and recreational groups - often at odds on other issues - agreeing to work to stop the highly destructive practice of bottom trawling," said Raftican.