About Town Redondo: Sea bass project, Muratsuchi bill, “Blessing of the Animals”

Sea bass grow-out project to resume in King Harbor

The Redondo Beach city council voted Tuesday to approve a contract, not to exceed $67,000, for Coast Construction Group (Lancaster) to design and build a new grow-out facility for white sea bass in King Harbor – a project advocated by the Harbor Commission to return after five years dormant.

Interim Fire Chief Patrick Butler made a site available at the Harbor Patrol dock. 

The program’s mission is to enhance sea bass populations in the Pacific Ocean to a more sustainable level. 

Previously, a sea bass grow-out site was operated by King Harbor Ocean Enhancement Foundation, using outdoor tanks under a tent at Sea L.A.B., which closed in 2019, ending the project. 

The previous operation, in partnership with Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute in Carlsbad, transferred the mature fish into King Harbor Marina. 

For the new project, taking place all in the water, the grown fish will be released right from the pens.

Under the previous arrangement, fish were released one year at the  King Harbor Yacht Club, in an effort to make it easier for them to swim to the open ocean. But seagulls on the breakwater saw the fish being dumped and swooped in to curtail the numbers.

Measure FP forum Saturday at Sonesta Hotel

Representatives from the city, and the Redondo Beach police and fire departments will speak at the Sonesta (hotel) Redondo Beach & Marina Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. about the $93.3 million Redondo Beach public safety bond.

The event is put on by Cal Haven, formed earlier this year, a network of elected officials, aimed at addressing public safety issues in California through bipartisan collaboration. 

Newsom signs Muratsuchi “Freedom to Read Act”

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California Freedom to Read Act Sept. 29, a bill written by Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance). Muratsuchi is chair of the Assembly Education Committee. 

The bill bars public libraries from banning books or other materials because of topics, ideas or views  within, or in a manner deemed to discriminate based on race, nationality, gender identity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or political affiliation.  

The bill also requires that public libraries have a collection development policy, to include a way for the public to challenge materials.

Redondo Methodist to hold first “Blessing of the Animals”

Riviera United Methodist Church will have its first “Blessing of the Animals” Sunday, Oct. 13. The community is invited to bring pets to be blessed by Rev. Sunyoung Lee.

The 11 a.m. event immediately follows a 10 a.m. worship service. 

“All types of well-behaved companions are welcome,” a church announcement stated. “Photos or collars or even toys for pets too shy to attend can be blessed.”

The gathering will include music and refreshments, along with informational tables from non profit animal welfare organizations. 

Riviera United Methodist Church is located at 375 Palos Verdes Blvd., Redondo Beach. For more information, call (310) 378-9273. ER