GE Salmon Production Banned in California

California Governor Jerry Brown (D) recently signed a bill (A.B. 504) extending
the prohibition of spawning, incubating or cultivating of genetically
engineered (GE) salmon in the Pacific Ocean to all state waters. Hatchery
production and stocking of transgenic fish is also prohibited. The legislation
was sponsored by Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata), who asserts
that the specter of “frankenfish” escaping into California waters “could destroy
our native salmonid populations through interbreeding, competition for food
and the introduction of parasites and disease.”

The new law also restricts medical or scientific research to that performed by
“accredited California academic institutions or private entities for research
only and not for commercial production,” provided such activities are
conducted in closed systems that reduce the “risk of escape of transgenic
finfish species and any potential disease they may transmit.” See Press Release
of Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro, September 29, 2014.

Issue 541