A new State Assembly bill introduced by Assembly member Jean Fuller [R-Bakersfield] has stuck the latest blow in the war on striped bass. Formally known as AB1253, the measure would remove all DFG minimum size and bag limit restrictions on striped bass.

Backed by such water-use entities as the Modesto Irrigation District and Kern County Water Agency, the bill asserts that as a non-native predatory species, striped bass are one of the contributing factors in the decline of Delta smelt, Chinook salmon and other endangered or threatened fish species.

In a press release, Fuller said, "This bill is just trying to strike a balance. The state's water system is failing, and we are taking all these steps to alleviate the impact on endangered fish, which has a major effect on people up and down the state that don't have enough water. Instead, let's help protect these endangered fish populations by targeting a non-native predator so the impact on our water supply does not have to be as grave."

Formal opposition is being raised by many recreational fishing groups, including the California Striped Bass Association, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and others. The CSPA's John Beuttler said, "They [water exporters] are conducting an undeclared war, and you and the fishing you hold so dear are the targets!"

Beuttler added, "Should they succeed in eradicating stripers, they will target the Delta's largemouth and smallmouth bass fishery, American shad, crappie, and any other fish that have a ???non-native' status."

Beuttler recommends that concerned citizens who may be in opposition to this measure should contact Jared Huffman, Chairman of the State Assembly's Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee at Assemblymember.Huffman@assembly.ca.gov or Vice-Chair Fuller [author of AB1253] at Assemblymember.Fuller@assembly.ca.gov or their local State Assembly member.

**Ed. note- Additional local gamefish species that are non-native include bluegill, green sunfish, spotted bass, channel catfish, bullhead catfish, brown trout, brook trout and lake trout.