SAN DIEGO (CNS) - San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox announced on Monday that he plans to seek state legislation that would allow for more permanent open-air fish markets and promote locally caught seafood.
He said he would bring a series of proposals to the next supervisors meeting on Jan. 6.
"San Diego has a rich and vibrant fishing history, and we need to revive our local fishing industry," Cox said.
"With these proposals, we can create more jobs and feed more families with fish caught fresh out of local waters."
A dockside market that opened on Saturdays five months ago at Tuna Harbor has proven to be popular with the public, with fishermen selling about 1.1 tons of seafood per week, according to the supervisor.
He said the fishing industry in San Diego has shrunk in recent decades from around 300 boats to about 130.
When the supervisors approved the Tuna Harbor market, they asked for staffers to study ways the Legislature could amend the state's Health and Safety Code to better accommodate them.
The supervisors regularly lobby state officials.
Cox also is influential as a member of the California Coastal Commission.
