Law Enacted in California Permits Seafood Vendors
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a significant bill, known as the "Pacific to Plate" bill (AB 226). This legislation, which aims to streamline operations for commercial fishermen and expand seafood market opportunities, is set to have a notable impact on the state's fisheries and food supply.
One of the key changes brought about by AB 226 is the reclassification of Fishermen's Markets as "food facilities" in state law. Prior to this, special exemptions were required for vendors to clean fresh fish for direct sales. This new status allows for a more streamlined process, making it easier for seafood markets to operate in public areas like farmers markets.
Commercial fishermen in California now have the option to organize under a single permit, similar to Certified Farmers' Markets. This consolidation is expected to improve efficiency and reduce administrative burdens for fishermen.
On a broader scale, President Obama signed H.R.774, the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Enforcement Act. This Act aims to combat illegal fishing and seafood fraud, and it could potentially prevent illegally harvested fish from entering the United States. Furthermore, H.R.644, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, bans imports of fish caught by slave labor, particularly in Thailand.
In terms of labour rights, a landmark California law has been enacted to make it harder for employers to classify workers as independent contractors. This new legislation may offer hope for workers in the gig economy, such as drivers for ridesharing companies, as they may now be entitled to a guaranteed minimum under this new law.
However, it's important to note that there is currently no direct indication that AB 226 pertains to seafood markets or the Pacific to Plate initiative in the provided documents. For more specific information on legislation related to seafood markets in California or the Pacific to Plate bill, further research may be necessary in targeted legislative or governmental resources on fisheries, food supply regulations, or California’s Blue Economy policies.
This new wave of legislation promises to bring about significant changes in California's seafood industry and labour market. As these changes unfold, it will be interesting to see how they impact the state's fisheries, food supply, and workers.
The policy-and-legislation changes initiated through AB 226, also known as the "Pacific to Plate" bill, have brought about reclassifications in California's fisheries, with Fishermen's Markets now recognized as "food facilities" in state law. Moreover, the politics of general-news interest, such as H.R.774, the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act, aim to tackle issues like illegal fishing and seafood fraud, potentially shaping the broader global seafood market.
