BILL ANALYSIS AB 849 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 26, 2005 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS AND WILDLIFE Lois Wolk, Chair AB 849 (Berg) - As Introduced: February 18, 2005 SUBJECT : Fish and Game: marine research SUMMARY : Encourages collaborative research between fishing men and women and the state. Specifically, this bill : 1)Establishes state policy to facilitate collaboration between fishing men and women and scientists and researchers at the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). 2)Makes legislative findings as to the importance of utilizing the knowledge of marine fishing men and women in researching and managing ocean resources nationwide. EXISTING LAW regulates activities affecting coastal and marine fishery resources, particularly through DFG. FISCAL EFFECT : None. COMMENTS : A Pew Ocean Commission report and President Bush's U.S. Ocean Action Plan stress the importance of comprehensive, centralized research and data management programs for ocean ecosystems. The author asserts that this bill is an initial step toward collaborative research and ecosystem management for the state's coastal and marine resources. Collaborative management involves the direct involvement of working fishermen in gathering marine data to support informed management of ocean fisheries. As an example of effective collaborative management, the author offers the Gulf of Maine, where lobstermen and others work side-by-side with agency managers and university researchers gathering data and entering it into widely accessible database systems. The researchers have found the fishermen's "native knowledge" to be extremely vital in strengthening fisheries management programs. This bill's adoption of a state policy, however, does not clearly accomplish collaborative management. REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION : AB 849 Page 2 Support Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman's Associations (sponsor) The Ocean Conservancy Opposition None submitted. Analysis Prepared by : Alf W. Brandt / W., P. & W. / (916) 319-2096