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Petition to limit sport fishing at Farnsworth Bank raises access and cultural concerns
Summary
Organizers said a petition to the Fish and Game Commission would change offshore Farnsworth Bank to spearfishing‑only; tribal and local stakeholders warned the change could be exclusionary and asked for recognition of cultural uses.
Presenters told the collaborative that a petition filed with the Fish and Game Commission proposes changing regulations in the offshore portion of Farnsworth Bank to allow only spearfishing. The regulatory change is intended by proponents to strengthen protection of a seamount habitat, but local participants identified tradeoffs related to access and culture.
"On Tuesday, there's a Fish and Game Commission meeting that will be talking about a petition that's been put forth by California Environmental to change the regulations at, Farnsworth, offshore Farnsworth to only allow, spearfishing," the lead presenter said. Attendees were invited to weigh in and the collaborative opened the floor to local perspectives.
Tribal representatives and other participants cautioned that a spearfishing‑only rule could be exclusionary because spearfishing requires specific gear and physical ability; some said the offshore site also has historic sporting and cultural associations. Rock Gosselin, representing sport‑fishing interests, noted the site's cultural significance to local anglers and urged balance between habitat protection and public access.
No formal collaborative decision was taken at the meeting; organizers said they will consolidate local input for those preparing comments to the Fish and Game Commission.
