‘Blatant Discrimination’ Against Fishermen

Your May 11 article about Channel Islands Harbor certainly sums up 10 years of blatant discrimination against commercial fishermen. It also clearly shows a flagrant dismissal and disregard for the California Coastal Commission permit of 1982.

The statement that the commercial dock and related facilities haven’t been completed because of “unforeseen problems” is ludicrous and insulting to the intelligence of the public.

The strict language used in the eligibility requirements to define commercial fishermen for access to the commercial marina is a sham. These requirements serve only one purpose--to keep commercial fishermen out.

Even more shocking is the obvious chicanery of certain county officials who have condoned this type of inexcusable delay. This has been a serious hindrance to commercial fisherman, a financial detriment to them and other businesses that would benefit from the enhancement of the fishing business in our area.

When county taxpayers get a hefty increase to cover the cost of the harbor dredging because the county officials lost the federal funding due to their predilection for recreational boating facilities, maybe then they will take notice of the travesty that has taken place against the commercial fishermen of Channel Islands Harbor.

JEFF R. BRADFORD

Channel Islands