The City Council directed Seal Beach staff to look at regulating fishing on the city pier on the basis of public safety at the agency’s Monday, Jan. 28 meeting. City Attorney Quinn Barrow was also asked to look at the possibility of getting the city out of a contract with the state that surrendered local authority over the pier until 2033.
In addition to receiving and filing a report on pier fishing, the council approved a resolution amending a professional services agreement with Moffatt & Nichol for a Seal Beach Pier upgrade project.
Fishing on the pier
District One Councilwoman Ellery Deaton, on Nov. 13, 2012, asked that staff report on possible limits to fishing on the pier. Possible restrictions included specific times and areas for fishing, according to a staff report that was prepared by Administrative Manager Patrick Gallegos.
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Sean Crumby presented the report at the council meeting. Crumby said it didn’t appear that the city was going to be able to restrict the hours of fishing on the pier. He said the city could increase enforcement of the city code.
He said cutting bait could be considered littering and that the city could limit cutting bait to certain parts of the pier.
The staff report at Monday’s council meeting said staff would educate the public about pier regulations on the city’s website, at public events and on SBTV-3.
Regulations posted on signs on the pier already say that smoking and overhead casting of fishing lines are prohibited.
According to the staff report, the center of the pier was destroyed by a storm on March 2, 1983. “In order to fund the reconstruction of the pier, the city entered into an agreement with the Department of Fish and Game on December 12, 1983,” Gallegos’ report said.
“As part of the terms and conditions, the city agreed not to establish fishing restrictions on the pier at any time except when necessary for maintenance, repair, public safety, and security or for the protection of the structure or facilities,” Gallegos’ report said.
That agreement would have expired in 2008, but in 2007 the city extended the agreement for another 25 years.
According to Robert Goldberg, a Planning Commission member and local activist, the extension was in exchange for a $200,000 grant.
“In retrospect, this amount seems like a very small sum in exchange for giving up our autonomy on the pier for 25 years,” Goldberg wrote in a Saturday, Jan. 26, e-mail to the council.
“Please note that this decision was made by the council on (Jan. 22, 2007) based on the recommendation of City Manager (John) Bahorski at his last council meeting prior to his resignation,” Goldberg wrote. “(City Manager) David Carmany signed the (Feb. 15, 2007) amendment months later, as he was not hired until June of 2007.”
Mayor Gary Miller, who represents District Four, asked City Attorney Quinn Barrow if there was a way for Seal Beach to buy out of its contract with Fish and Game. He wanted to know if there would be any benefit in getting out of the contract.
Barrow said he would look into that. However, he pointed out that the California Coastal Commission would want to ensure that there was visitor serving access to the pier.
Barrow said the city could have some control of fishing on the pier on the basis of public safety.
Councilwoman Deaton and Mayor Miller separately asked if the city could restrict fishing to specific areas of the pier. Barrow said he would look into that question, but said his “gut feeling” was that Seal Beach would have to allow fishing on the pier.
District Five Councilman Michael Levitt suggested that the city could regulate fishing based on its policing powers to maintain public safety and sanitation.
Councilman David Sloan said he hoped there would be enough receptacles for fishermen to dispose of trash.
Deaton pointed out that the staff report said staff would make sure that trash collection was sufficient to meet demand.
Deaton also said that some fishermen leave unused bait behind for the next fisherman.
Levitt said the state would not allow the city to wash fish guts into the ocean.
City Manager Jill Ingram said staff would bring the council options for improving fishing on the pier.
Deaton then moved to receive and file the report.
