The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) today called on Southern California anglers to participate in a study of recreational fishing to provide solid scientific data and answer important questions regarding how anglers fish and catch both target and non-target species. Non-target species are fish caught by anglers while pursuing another type of fish. The results of this study are essential to the implementation of California's Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) in the South Coast Study Region (Point Conception to the U.S.-Mexican border).

The PSO embarked on this study after the Science Advisory Team (SAT) and Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) for the North Central Coast Study Region (Phase II of MLPA Implementation) each voted that salmon trolling in waters shallower than 50 meters resulted in a higher rate of "associated catch" of non-target species than in waters deeper than 50 meters. This conclusion was based on the limited data available from the California Department of Fish and Game which failed to provide sufficient evidence to the contrary.

This study will provide detailed data on fish caught at each fishing location. In the survey, charter boat operators will play a key role in helping to collect fishing information by providing study observers access to their passengers. "Honest participation in the study by anglers will help the PSO achieve its goal of protecting California's marine environment while minimizing unnecessary closures to recreational fishing," said Sportfishing Association of California President Bob Fletcher.

The PSO encourages volunteer observers to also participate by downloading additional information and sampling forms at www.sacemup.org