Petition Urges Opening California MPAs for Swordfishing

Blake Herman, a fisherman from California, has submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Department, seeking to open three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for pelagic fishing. Herman's petition comes after the department offered stakeholders the opportunity to propose regulatory changes. He argues that while the original purpose of the MPAs, established in the early 2000s, was to protect groundfish and rockfish, there should be provisions for pelagic species such as swordfish and bluefin tuna. Herman, who operates the 58-foot boat named the Sharon G., emphasizes the importance of accessing these areas for pelagic fishing, particularly around the Channel Islands. He believes that granting access to these MPAs would provide broader fishing options and is unnecessary for pelagic species. Herman's petition, submitted before the November 2023 deadline, presents various options, with his preference being the allowance of recreational and commercial take of highly migratory species. The California Fish and Game Department is currently reviewing Herman's petition, and a decision by the Fish and Game Commission is expected within the next nine to 15 months.