Bill > SB609

This bill amends California's Fish and Game Code to modify regulations around confidentiality and reporting requirements for commercial fishing activities. The bill clarifies that landing receipts, reports, and records related to fishing activities will remain confidential, with only specific identifying information (such as fish business names, commercial fishing license numbers, and vessel names) being considered public. The bill removes a previous requirement for persons with a marine aquaria receiver's license to use electronic fish tickets when reporting fish sales and transfers. The legislation also specifies the circumstances under which the California Department of Fish and Wildlife can release confidential fishing information, such as to federal fishery management agencies, pursuant to a court order, or to research institutions under a confidentiality agreement. The bill includes legislative findings that emphasize the need to protect potentially sensitive or proprietary data of commercial fishers while still maintaining a system for collecting important fishing-related information. This change aims to balance the privacy interests of commercial fishing businesses with the need for regulatory oversight and data collection in the fishing industry.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB609