Arguably the most striking fish you’ll ever encounter is the Garibaldi. It’s bright-orange colorway stands out in the briny depths like a blazing traffic cone. Photo courtesy pierfishing.com.

Species: Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus)
Location: Dana Point Marina, Dana Point, CA
Date: August 9, 2017

*climbs onto soapbox*

California.

It’s a…special place full of…special people.

“Warning: This product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm.”

Proposition 65
In case you weren’t aware, lead is harmful. Good ‘ol Pb has all manner of damaging effects to humans, and for this reason, it has been banned in most household goods, including paint.

Reasonably intelligent people are aware of this. Tragically, in a trend started in the 1990s, many Americans proved themselves not to be reasonably intelligent.

Starting with the famous 1992 lawsuit where an Albuquerque woman sued McDonald’s for spilling hot coffee on her lap, we’ve lived in an overly-litigated society.

California has led the charge with frivolous lawsuits, narrowly beating out Florida (naturally) as the fourth-worst state in a ranking by the American Legislative Exchange Council. The ALEC uses a complicated metric that basically measures (1) how likely a company is to be sued over something stupid and (2) how likely the court system in that state is to treat the case fairly. Only Illinois, Missouri, and Louisiana are better stomping grounds for people looking to capitalize on their own stupidity for a payday.

But it was arguably prior to that 1992 lawsuit that California set the stage for stupid people to thrive. Six years before that first, famous, frivolous lawsuit, California decided to “protect” its citizens by requiring labels on potentially hazardous chemicals.

It’s 1986, Proposition 65, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, started with the best of intentions, began asking companies to label hazardous chemicals.

Essentially, businesses selling products in the State of California must provide “clear and reasonable warnings” to their would-be customers if they sell a product with significant risk of causing cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm based on historical records.

What is significant risk? Well if that compound is linked to one additional case of cancer in 100,000 people over a 70-year lifetime, California considers that “significant risk”. There are similar standards for reproductive harm.

Companies have some freedom in how they do this, but labels seem to work best.

This is phenomenal, in theory, but in practice it means more than 800 chemicals now require products to have the “Warning: this product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm” disclaimer.

Since California is the largest economy within the United States, that effectively guarantees all products with those chemicals will bear that label, allowing non-Californians to balk.

So next time you buy those sinkers, thank the Californian lawmakers of the 1980s for keeping you from making a sandwich after organizing your lead sinker collection. God knows you certainly would have done so without government direction from the all-knowing State of California.

***

Dumb Laws
California has put a lot of stupid laws on the books.

Plastic Bag Ban
Some of the laws, though viewed as dumb by many, can at least make a case for their existence. Take for instance the ban on plastic bags. California started this trend Stateside in the summer of 2014.

It makes sense and helps the environment, but it led to the wholesale use of paper bags — arguably the worst idea in human history since people first learned not to use poison oak as toilet paper. Banning plastic bags? Good. Encouraging paper bags rather than creating environmentally-friendly plastic bags from seaweed? Bad.

It’s this sort of “Problem Identification Without Solution Identification” mindset that Californians must deal with on a daily basis.

Other Stupid Laws
Sadly, many other California laws have no real, viable reason. These include:

– Animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of a tavern, school, or place of worship. Sorry kids, you’ll have to stick to the Discovery Channel to witness this sort of thing in the Golden State.

– Bathhouses are illegal. You want to bathe in public? Stick to your local gym or Walmart late at night.

– Peacocks have the right-of-way in Arcadia.

– You can’t wear cowboy boots unless you own cows in Blythe.

– In Carmel, you can’t eat ice cream on the sidewalk. Men cannot mix suit separates; their pants and jacket must match. Women can’t wear high heels within the city limits. Applying for a job with their police force will literally make you a part of the actual Fashion Police.

***

Garibaldi
Perhaps one of the stupidest laws on the books is the emotionally-charged law that makes Garibaldi, California’s State Fish, protected.

According to the IUCN Red List, Garibaldi are a “Species of Least Concern,” meaning there is no reason to protect them.

Yet California, in its infinite wisdom, protects them anyway.

Granted, there was a time when they were protected because of over-collection for use in the aquarium trade because of their high aesthetic value and relative ease of capture (they’re bright orange, after all), but their stocks have long since recovered.

I’m a strong advocate for catch-and-release fishing, but the recreational harvest of fish should be allowed if the population is healthy.

So even though Garibaldi are numerous in Southern California, especially in and around rocks, you cannot even intentionally target them. My own Garibaldi was incidental, but at more than two pounds, it would have filled the vacant IGFA All-Tackle World Record — if it hadn’t been captured in California.

In fact, when I landed the fish, I couldn’t even get a picture because some tourist overhead was harassing me about catching a long Garibaldi.

“You’re not gonna keep that are you?” he said.

Of course not, buddy. I wouldn’t keep fish anyway, but just the fact that you can’t pose for a picture with one is proof that California is a sad, broken place.

Keep up the good work #4.

#SpeciesQuest // #CaughtOvgard

Read the next entry in #SpeciesQuest here: Species #106 — Chum Salmon.

120 Replies

  1. Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

  2. I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my website 🙂

  3. I like the valuable info you provide to your articles. I will bookmark your blog and test again right here regularly. I am slightly certain I’ll be told many new stuff proper here! Best of luck for the following!

  4. When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!

  5. obviously like your website but you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to tell the truth nevertheless I’ll certainly come back again.

  6. I think other web site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and great user genial style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!

  7. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal. I must say that you’ve done a great job with this. Also, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Safari. Exceptional Blog!

  8. Hey, you used to write excellent, but the last several posts have been kinda boringK I miss your great writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

  9. What is Renew? Renew is a dietary supplement designed to support blood flow while also aiming to boost testosterone levels andprovide an explosive energy drive

  10. Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  11. It is really a great and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  12. Its superb as your other blog posts : D, thanks for putting up. “Too much sensibility creates unhappiness too much insensibility leads to crime.” by Charles Maurice de Talleyrand.

  13. I discovered your weblog web site on google and verify a number of of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the superb operate. I simply further up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. In search of forward to reading extra from you later on!…

  14. My brother suggested I may like this blog. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not believe simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!

  15. What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & aid different customers like its aided me. Great job.

  16. When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!

  17. I needed to write you this little bit of note to help thank you as before relating to the fantastic things you have provided here. This is simply remarkably open-handed with you to provide extensively precisely what most people might have offered for sale as an e-book to get some money for themselves, certainly seeing that you could possibly have tried it in case you desired. The tips as well worked to be a easy way to be sure that someone else have the identical interest similar to my own to find out a good deal more with regard to this issue. I am certain there are some more enjoyable sessions up front for those who look into your website.

  18. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So good to find any individual with some authentic ideas on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is one thing that’s needed on the web, somebody with slightly originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!

  19. Can I simply say what a aid to find someone who truly is aware of what theyre speaking about on the internet. You definitely know methods to carry a difficulty to mild and make it important. More folks have to read this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant consider youre not more fashionable because you undoubtedly have the gift.

  20. Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  21. I am really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues? A small number of my blog audience have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any advice to help fix this issue?

  22. I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome website!

  23. Have you ever considered writing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.

  24. This website is really a stroll-via for the entire information you needed about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and also you’ll definitely uncover it.

  25. I do consider all of the ideas you have introduced to your post. They’re very convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too short for newbies. May just you please lengthen them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.

  26. Hello There. I discovered your weblog using msn. This is a really smartly written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to learn extra of your helpful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.

  27. What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I’m hoping to give a contribution & aid other customers like its helped me. Good job.

  28. Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.

  29. Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

  30. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. many thanks

  31. I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  32. I do like the manner in which you have framed this specific challenge and it does supply us some fodder for consideration. However, from what precisely I have observed, I simply wish as other opinions stack on that individuals remain on point and in no way start upon a tirade regarding some other news of the day. Anyway, thank you for this excellent piece and even though I can not necessarily go along with it in totality, I regard your perspective.

  33. I have been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.

  34. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say excellent blog!

  35. Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back later in life. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great writing, have a nice evening!

  36. Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  37. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. thanks a lot

  38. I have been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Studying this info So i¦m satisfied to convey that I’ve an incredibly good uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I so much indubitably will make sure to do not put out of your mind this website and provides it a glance on a relentless basis.

  39. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  40. After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.

  41. Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was looking for this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  42. After research a couple of of the blog posts in your web site now, and I actually like your manner of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website record and can be checking back soon. Pls take a look at my website online as properly and let me know what you think.

  43. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So good to search out somebody with some original ideas on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the internet!

  44. I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this site. Reading this information So i¦m satisfied to show that I have an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I so much no doubt will make sure to don¦t disregard this website and provides it a glance regularly.

  45. Hey! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?

  46. of course like your web-site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very troublesome to inform the truth on the other hand I’ll definitely come back again.

  47. I think this is one of the most important info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The site style is wonderful, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

  48. Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any solutions to stop hackers?

  49. Usually I do not read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite nice post.

  50. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.

  51. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So good to find any individual with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this web site is something that’s needed on the net, someone with a bit originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the web!

  52. I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this information for my mission.

  53. I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this info So i’m happy to convey that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make sure to don’t forget this web site and give it a look regularly.

  54. When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!

  55. I discovered your blog site on google and test just a few of your early posts. Continue to maintain up the very good operate. I simply extra up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Searching for forward to reading extra from you afterward!…

  56. Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Fantastic. I’m also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.

  57. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *