Abalone Collapse with Kelp Forests

https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/abalone-collapse-with-kelp-forests/Content?oid=11223338

"You can melt your ab iron, because abalone diving is over," Sammet said. "You will not dive for abalone again in California in your lifetime."

That's pretty depressing.

Yeah, it's depressing for sure. And MPAs aren't gonna save them, that's for sure. This kelp collapse will trickle down into other fisheries, too. I've heard that due to the lack of sea stars, sand dollars are now overpopulating sandy bottom areas and crowding out halibut!

This is a video my brother and I shot north of Russian Gulch in Sonoma. This area was never super thick in kelp (in my experience), but there was always some kelp and lots of sea palms, grass, and other vegetation. You can see a few kelp fronds in one shot, but mostly it's all gone now:

sad state of our ecosystems. I can't find an emoji that's worthy of this topic

I've heard that due to the lack of sea stars, sand dollars are now overpopulating sandy bottom areas and crowding out halibut!

I did see a lot of sand dollars while halibut diving some areas this year...BUT I also saw more halibut this year than in all previous years combined...mostly shorts but still...

And, there was still PLENTY of open, empty sand. 

Just anecdotal evidence of course...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I've heard that due to the lack of sea stars, sand dollars are now overpopulating sandy bottom areas and crowding out halibut!

I did see a lot of sand dollars while halibut diving some areas this year...BUT I also saw more halibut this year than in all previous years combined...mostly shorts but still...

And, there was still PLENTY of open, empty sand. 

Just anecdotal evidence of course...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

That was just something I heard in passing from one person. Could be a longer term effect.

If I were a betting person, I would say they close it next year, likely for years to come.  I don't usually do it, but made it a point to tag out this year.

Who wants to start up an urchin cleanup/cleanout day or two next year? 

If I were a betting person, I would say they close it next year, likely for years to come.  I don't usually do it, but made it a point to tag out this year.

Who wants to start up an urchin cleanup/cleanout day or two next year? 

Go to You tube and search Airlift urchin,

"You can melt your ab iron, because abalone diving is over," Sammet said. "You will not dive for abalone again in California in your lifetime."

That's pretty depressing.

That was just a divers opinion from Monterey. I'm sure we will know for sure soon.

If I were a betting person, I would say they close it next year, likely for years to come.  I don't usually do it, but made it a point to tag out this year.

I'm not feeling warm and fuzzy about this either. I also grabbed 6 in late Oct. that are sitting in freezer camp as I write this..

...I also saw more halibut this year than in all previous years combined...mostly shorts but still...

Lots of undersized halibut were caught hook and line this year too.

...I also saw more halibut this year than in all previous years combined...mostly shorts but still...

Lots of undersized halibut were caught hook and line this year too.

Yep...Hoping that next year is epic. 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ecowatch.com/ocean-oxygen-levels-2401423273.amp.html

Big seas will turn it all over don't give up hope.
Big blue has an amazing capacity to self-repair

I'd love to see DFG use hatchery techniques to get a million sea stars growing, then require us ab divers to take a couple hundred out for distribution in order to get an ab tag. I'd definitely be down to spread them out and see if it would make a difference.

I am ALL ears on this one, for multiple reasons.

Where has the Kelp gone?

It's just brown algae...

I Zod Out?

Things do not look good but I still hoping the ocean can heal itself!! Also hoping to at least get a few more abs next year!!! Here is a link to an article I recently wrote for yak angler

 http://www.yakangler.com/spotlight/item/3939-diving-abalone-kayak

There should also be a decision coming up soon, I have been keeping in contact to hear what happens, will keep you all updated when I find anything out.