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Council members, industry and nonprofit urge more data, longer pilot before statewide ropeless requirement
Summary
Councilors and a Central Coast Food Web representative urged caution and asked for longer-term pilot studies rather than a short experimental period before a ropeless-gear mandate, citing limited data from California trials and the narrow one-year experimental window in the petition.
Council members and attendees questioned whether the petition relied on sufficient science to justify rapid adoption of ropeless gear. One council participant said, "we rush into something because we think that that's where the data's leading, but it's not," arguing for more thorough analysis before policy action.
Andrew, identified in the meeting as working with Central Coast Food Web, said margins for fishers are narrow and recommended considering a longer-term pilot or a multi-year plan rather than a short requirement that could impose immediate, heavy costs. The council's recorded action to oppose the petition reflected those operational and evidentiary concerns.
