Marine fisheries: state policy.

Existing law declares that it is the policy of the state that the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Fish and Game Commission seek to create, foster, and actively participate in effective partnerships and collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders to achieve shared goals and to better integrate fish and wildlife resource conservation and management with the natural resource management responsibilities of other agencies. Existing law declares various state policies with regard to the management of fishery resources, including the policy to ensure the conservation, sustainable use, and, where feasible, restoration of California's marine living resources for the benefit of all citizens of the state. This bill would declare that it is the policy of the state to robustly protect and enhance the significant economic, environmental, recreational, aesthetic, and educational values provided by the Pacific fisheries and would require the department and commission to consider this policy when revising, adopting, or establishing policies, regulations, expenditures, or grant criteria relating to the protection and management of marine fisheries. The bill would require the department and commission, to the extent feasible, to attempt to work collaboratively with the federal government and all fisheries stakeholders in furtherance of this policy.