Marin nonprofit backs bill to curb gill trawling nets
A Marin-based environmental group is backing state legislation to rid the ocean of drift gill nets it says accidentally injure or kill marine mammals.
The drift net fishery for swordfish in California consists of roughly 20 fishing vessels that set out floating nets, some the length of the Golden Gate Bridge. Critics say they indiscriminately catch whatever floats in, including whales, turtles, dolphins and sharks.
Now Senate Bill 1017 — sponsored by Ben Allen, D-Redondo Beach — is getting the backing of Olema-based Turtle Island Restoration Network, which has worked with the senator on the issue.
