What is the California Drift Gillnet Transition Fund?

The California Drift Gillnet Transition Fund is a key part of California law aimed at eliminating dirty drift gillnet fishing. The transition program is enshrined in California statute (Senate Bill 1017) signed into law in 2018 and implemented through regulations finalized in 2019. Current California state drift gillnet permit holders are eligible to participate in the transition program and receive payment for surrendering their drift gillnets and permits and agreeing not to fish with large mesh drift gillnets in the future.

What does the transition program do?

The California Drift Gillnet Transition Program provides incentives to switch to cleaner fishing methods through the California Drift Gillnet Transition Fund by providing funding to fishermen who voluntarily exit the fishery. Receipt of $1 million in non-state funds into the California Drift Gillnet Transition Fund activates a four-year sunset on all remaining state drift gillnet permits. Oceana is raising funds in order to help finance the program and trigger the sunset.  

What forms of payment can I use to donate to the Transition Fund?

Donors can contribute to the Transition Fund via major credit card on the Oceana Drift Gillnet Transition Fund Donation Page.  For other methods of payment, please contact pacific@oceana.org

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Oceana, Inc. is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, so contributions may be tax-deductible.

Will Oceana keep any of the funds raised?

Oceana will transfer 100% of the funds raised up to the total remaining cost of the transition program (currently estimated at $2.21 million) to the California Drift Gillnet Transition Fund. Any funds raised in excess of this amount will be kept by Oceana to support our campaign to save whales and sea turtles from entanglement in fishing gear off the U.S. West Coast.

Who administers the California Drift Gillnet Transition Fund?

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission administers the California Drift Gillnet Transition Fund and makes payments from the fund to qualifying fishermen who surrender their fishing nets and permits.

What happens once $1 million is raised?

California law requires the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to revoke all remaining state drift gillnet permits on January 31 four years following the deposit of $1 million in non-state funds into the California Drift Gillnet Transition Fund. 

How does my contribution help get drift gillnets off the water?

As funds become available, qualifying drift gillnet permit holders who surrender their nets and permits will receive payment from the California Drift Gillnet Transition Fund. All remaining drift gillnet permits will be revoked on January 31 four calendar years after $1 million in non-state funds are deposited to the state transition fund.

What happens to the drift gillnets after fishermen surrender them?

State-approved net destruction entities (including Net Your Problem) will collect and destroy all surrendered drift gillnets. The nets may be recycled into other non-fishing products. They will not be used for fishing and will not become marine debris.

How much do fishermen receive for participating in the program?

Active drift gillnet permit holders who have landed swordfish in a recent 5-year qualifying period are eligible for $110,000 upon surrendering all their large mesh drift gillnets and their state permit and agreeing not to obtain or fish under another drift gillnet permit. Inactive drift gillnet permit holders who have not landed swordfish in the qualifying period are eligible for $10,000 upon surrendering all their large mesh drift gillnets and permit and agreeing not to obtain or fish under another drift gillnet permit.

Is the state funding the program?

The California Ocean Protection Council provided $1 million in state funds to the California Drift Gillnet Transition Fund.

What happens to my donation if the California Drift Gillnet Transition Program is cancelled or eliminated?

It is highly unlikely that the program would be cancelled or eliminated as the California Drift Gillnet Transition Program is enshrined in California law. However, if the state does not execute the program or the funds deposited by Oceana are not needed, funds would be returned to Oceana to support our continued campaigns to protect whales and sea turtles from entanglement in fishing gear off the U.S. West Coast. 

Can participating fishermen keep fishing?

Participating fishermen may continue to participate in other fisheries and are also first in line for federal limited entry deep-set buoy gear permits, but are legally bound to never again fish with large mesh drift gillnet gear.

Who can I talk to at Oceana to learn more about this funding opportunity?

Please contact pacific@oceana.org for any questions about contributing to the California Drift Gillnet Transition Fund.