List of Opportunities and Challenges We Addressed for Members
January.
January found the Obama administration threatening California only (not Oregon or Washington) that they would take up to one third (1/3) of federal ocean waters away from the commercial fishing industry by establishing Marine Monuments utilizing executive powers under the Antiquities Act of 1906 by Executive Order. CFSI created and led a coalition of more than 20 influential trade groups, Chambers of Commerce, Ports and harbor commissioners, and local governments up and down the state to make the case against impeding commercial fishing off of California. Efforts reached the media to cause an outcry which helped stop the last minute take away. A victory.
January also found CFSI Board member Tom Tobin leading efforts to stop a ban of any/all polystyrene use in the city and county of San Francisco. CFSI members took up the call to action and took city officials on a tour of Pier 45 member companies to demonstrate how polystyrene boxes are of benefit for the temperature and integrity of seafood products resulting in the city exempting seafood products from the ban. A success.
January also found Governor Brown and the Director of Fish and Wildlife proposing a 13-fold increase in Landing Taxes in California. It took over 6 hearings and dozens of meetings and the creation of a new coalition to oppose the budget proposal resulting in adjusting the over-all landing taxes for inflation (97%). The lobbying action by members on this were furious at times, and it too up most hours in the days for a 7-month period, ending in July. Saved industry over $13 million and we kept taxing seafood imports off the table.
February.
In February, we learned of new challenges stemming from the new president that he intended to impose a 20% federal tax on Mexican seafood products. We worked closely with the Food Marketing Institute and California Grocers Association for half the year to assure that the proposal would be defeated as there would be significant negative impacts to California Seafood Companies, Restaurants Grocers, and consumers. Big win.
State legislation introduced to prohibit fish and seafood imports from the Sea of Cortez to allegedly save the endangered Vaquita which are being killed by illegal fishing gear for illegal/endangered Totoava. Despite strong lobbying in opposition by CFSI members, the bill almost passed. The author held the bill on the senate floor inactive file two weeks before the end of session. A win for Mexican fishermen A win for California importers/distributors, California consumers.
March.
CFSI requested that the Governor declare a status of disaster for four major California fisheries- Crab, Salmon, Sardine, and Sea Urchin due to the horrific impact on these resources (thus landings) by oceanic conditions including temperature and demoic acid. The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture held several hearings, CFSI and members led the formation of another coalition urging Governor Brown to declare Crab and Salmon a disaster and acting Governor Gavin Newsome (Brown was out of state) declared Sardine and Sea Urchin a disaster too, all actions resulting in a formal ask of Congress and the federal administration. This issue has been before congress for many months and CFSI continues to lobby them for full appropriation of disaster relief funds for fishermen, Processors and Wholesalers, as much as $350,000,000. We will continue to press congress to include in any Disaster Relief bill. Still working it.
April.
CFSI enhanced attendance and testimony before legislative committees on budget and policy issues. Dave Rudie – CFSI Board Chair, Mel Wickliffe, Kevin Joyce – CFSI Treasurer, Jon Gonzales of Pacific Seafood, Jim Caito – CFSI Board member, and Bill McCarthy – Wild Planet, and Mike Lucas – North Coast Seafood attend second and third meetings with Chuck Bonham, Fish and Wildlife Director, to oppose the Budget Change Proposal to increase landing taxes 13 times the rate of inflation. They deserve your appreciation and gratitude.
May.
CFSI Board and regular members participate in Political Action and enhancing legislative relationships. Members also attend hearings in the state Capitol and special hearing of the Joint committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture. Legislative leaders urged to support industry efforts for access to seafood resources, support aquaculture, and not increase taxes to unreasonable levels, and instead assist with stopping a 20% increase on Mexican seafood imports, and instead of hurting the industry with new taxes and unreasonable rates if increase, instead help us reject the Governor’s new taxes on landed seafood, and provide relief for the sectors suffering economic loss due to demoic acid closures, and the effects of warm water conditions, leading to reduction of habitat, closure of fisheries by state and federal managers.
June.
CFSI in an all-out full court press to stop Governors 1300% tax hike, stop rumored tax on Imports, before the Budget deadline of June 15th.
Last day of deadline, CFSI and Industry wins, administration retracts to draconian increase in landing taxes, support tax hike for the rate of inflation. Major victory.
July.
Governor signs Budget July 1. Industry loses as budget language changes Landing “Taxes” to Landing “Fees”. CFSI Board call to discuss membership, development of strategic relationship with Aquarium of the Pacific, Seafood for the Future, enhanced work and collaboration with the California Grocers Association, California Restaurant Association, and California Retailers Association. Enhance relations with City Council members from San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, Monterey, San Francisco, Fort Bragg, and Eureka.
Membership invoices that have been sent monthly, sent again.
August.
Membership roles reviewed, support for CFSI activities requested, Sea Notes newsletter sent every week updating members on key issues for 33 weeks in a row, every Friday morning at 6AM. Legislature takes 30-day recess during this month.
September.
Seafood labeling issues arise. ENGO’s rumored a “California Only” labeling scheme. CFSI works with legislative leaders, California Department of Health educating them on existing laws and regulations.
Assemblyman moves bill banning imports of Mexican seafood to Inactive File. Victory for CFSI members, chefs, grocers, and consumers. Harmful precedent averted.
Work with Legislative leaders on October hearing agenda for Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture.
October.
CFSI membership Meeting in San Francisco, Italian Athletic Club. All members welcomed, many issues discussed. What’s old is new… several members brought up topic of industry support for CFSI, funding mechanisms of smalls assessment on each pound of seafood sold in California to protect, promote, enhance the industry in California and the challenges and opportunities that we face.
November.
CFSI advises allied industry associations that prominent Animal Rights Organizations including one based in California are making aquaculture their #1 focus in 2018. Members will need to be educated on issues, tactics used by these groups, how to NOT acknowledge these activists, and how to prepare for the battles ahead, including responding to your customers that may be targeted. SeaNotes with important news, activities, legislative and regulatory information sent for 44th consecutive week.