Ocean Stamps Net Unexpected Surplus

In 1990, gill-netters were clobbering the fishery off Southern California’s coast, so Assemblywoman Doris Allen (R-Cypress) submitted Prop. 132 to put them out of business: No more by 1994.

The plan was to pay them off based on five years’ earnings from 1983 through ’87 and to have the people who would benefit--the sportfishermen--pay for it. This resulted in the $3 Sport Marine Ocean Resources Protection Stamp attached to all state fishing licenses for waters south of Point Arguello, effective until the gill-netters were compensated.

The plan was so good that the payoff--an estimated $1.478 million--was collected sooner than expected and caught people at the California Department of Fish and Game off guard. Less than two weeks ago, Don Schultz of Marine Resources urgently informed the Licensing and Revenue Branch to stop selling stamps for ‘94, because the gill-net kitty was overflowing at $2.2 million.

Schultz figures the surplus will cover any extra costs; otherwise, it will go into a fund to provide research and enhancement grants for the state’s four newly designated ocean reserves.

It could be more if some of the 136 gill-netters don’t surrender their permits by the end of the year, a condition of Prop. 132. Some have indicated that they will keep their permits and seek an injunction to overturn Prop. 132.

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Meanwhile, officials had already started sending out ’94 licenses to their agents around the state, with an especially hard push to sell them as Christmas presents. They immediately faxed and phoned the agents about eliminating the ocean stamps, but Mike Hill estimated that between 500 and 1,000 had already been sold.

The only solution was to offer a refund, but that’s where it gets, well, sticky. Buyers can peel off the stamps and mail them--photocopies not accepted--to the LRB, 3211 S St., Sacramento, CA. 95816, and the DFG will refund their $3.

But if the buyers can’t peel off the stamps without mutilating the license, they must send the whole license.

“We’ll send them an exchange license,” Hill said.

Hill estimated that the turnaround will be 10 days, considering processing and time for mail to travel to and from Sacramento. A license mailed today would be back in the buyer’s hands--along with $3--by about Jan. 1.

Anyone who doesn’t want to bother seeking a refund is assured that the $3 will go to a good cause--the ocean reserves.

Briefly

FRESHWATER FISHING--The 52-pound 9.6-ounce channel catfish caught by Lee Porter of Los Angeles at Irvine Lake on July 17 has been recognized as a state record, according to the DFG. The fish was 4 1/2 feet long. The old record was 48-8 by Bobby Calhoun of Irvine in 1984. . . . The Santa Ana River Lakes in Anaheim will conduct a free “Pathways to Fishing” instructional program for children 5-15 on Dec. 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Equipment will be provided. Details: (714) 649-2996.

SALTWATER FISHING--Florida Keys regular Arnold Gold of Encino reported unusual success on his annual trip to Islamorada: 10 species in six days--bonefish, redfish, trout, king mackerel, bar jack, yellowtail, mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, pompano and barracuda.

MEXICAN FISHING--Cabo San Lucas: Wind kept boats away from the blue marlin grounds at Pulmo, but the annual migration of Pacific striped marlin filled the gap. There were 43 caught, 33 released, topped by five by Toke Aw of Beverly Hills. Cole and Merrill McClure of San Carlos caught and released 20 stripers in five days aboard the Trophy Ann. Only one blue marlin was caught and released. Dorado are still abundant. San Jose del Cabo: Yellowfin tuna 15-40 pounds and red snapper are plentiful. Loreto: Yellowtail action is excellent.

HUNTING--The DFG closed bear season last Friday when the kill reached the limit of 1,250, well ahead of the scheduled Dec. 26 closure. The DFG estimates there are more than 20,000 black bears in the state, which can support an annual take of 1,500. . . . Arizona topped California’s new state record for a Nelson desert bighorn sheep when Larry Snead of Phoenix bagged one that scored 180 5/8 Boone & Crockett points, an Arizona record.

BOATING--The Marina Operators Assn. of America is fighting a federal proposal to to classify all fuel docks as “offshore facilities” that would require them to carry $150 million in liability insurance--a severe blow to operators in small-boat marinas.

NOTEWORTHY--The Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club offers its sixth annual Wilderness Travel Course at sites in Long Beach, details at (310) 519-0364; the San Gabriel Valley, details at (909) 980-1210, and Orange County details at (714) 496-3972, plus four field trips. Cost: $150. . . . The American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Assn. will have a new name next year: the American Sportfishing Assn. . . . Lyla Foggia is seeking information and history for a book based on women in angling. Contact: (503) 622-4811, fax (503) 622-4813 or write P.O. Box 939, Welches, OR. 97067.