California Legislation: Prohibition on use of attractants for White sharks

AB 2109

California Assembly Bill

2021-2022 Regular Session

White sharks: prohibition on use of attractants.

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Abstract

Existing law makes it unlawful to take white sharks for recreational or commercial purposes except under a permit issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife for scientific or educational purposes or if taken incidentally by commercial fishing operations using certain types of nets. For purposes of these prohibitions, existing law defines “take” to mean to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or to attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill. Existing law makes a violation of these prohibitions a crime.

This bill would also make it unlawful to use any bait, lure, or chum to attract any white shark or to place any bait, lure, or chum into the water when a white shark is either visible or known to be present except if the activity is authorized by a permit issued by the department for scientific, educational, or propagation purposes. Because a violation of these prohibitions would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

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