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Topics - Hojoman

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 216
1
March 13, 2024

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) has produced three options for ocean salmon seasons beginning May 16, 2024. Two of the three alternatives would authorize short ocean salmon season dates and establish small harvest limits for commercial and sport fishing off California in 2024. The third alternative would close the ocean fisheries off California for a second consecutive year. The alternatives were approved by the PFMC for public review Monday.

In response to several years of drought over the past decade, key California salmon target stocks are forecast to have 2024 abundance levels that, while higher than last year, are well below average. The 2024 stock abundance forecast for Sacramento River Fall Chinook, which is often the most abundant stock in the ocean fishery, is 213,600 adults. Meanwhile, abundance of Klamath River Fall Chinook is forecast at 180,700 adults. At this level of abundance, the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan authorizes only low levels of fishing on these stocks, and requires management be designed to allow most of the adult population to return to the river to spawn.

Commercial fishing alternatives propose a limited number of small quota fisheries, and would require vessel-based weekly trip limits that would apply in each open period. In-season action would be taken to close remaining season dates if total catch is expected to reach the harvest limit.

Recreational fishing alternatives would authorize up to seven short open fishing periods ranging from four to six days in length beginning in June and running through October. Scheduled dates would not be guaranteed and would be subject to two different statewide harvest guidelines. If the total sport catch reaches the limit prior to September, remaining dates prior to September would be canceled. Similarly, if total sport catch reaches the limit for dates scheduled in the months of September and October, remaining dates would be canceled.

In-season management and harvest limits are new concepts in management of commercial and recreational ocean salmon fisheries off California. Given the low abundance forecasts and spawner returns in recent years, it is crucial that any limited salmon fishing ultimately authorized be managed to ensure most of the fish return to the river this fall. Use of these strategies in 2024 ocean fisheries is expected to keep catches within pre-season projections.

On recommendation from California and Oregon agency representatives and industry advisors, the National Marine Fisheries Service took in-season action to cancel ocean salmon fishery openers that were scheduled between Cape Falcon, Oregon and the U.S./Mexico border that were scheduled to open prior to May 16, 2024. The sport fishery off much of California had been set to open in early April. Season dates and regulations may be found on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife web page at www.wildlife.ca.gov/oceansalmon.

On March 25, 2024, the PFMC will hold a public hearing in Santa Rosa to receive public comment on the three proposed regulatory alternatives. The PFMC will then meet April 5-11 in Seattle, Washington to adopt final regulations for the season. More information on the three alternatives can be found at this link or see Pacific Fishery Management Council (pcouncil.org) for information regarding PFMC meetings and public comment opportunities.

2
CA Regulations / Salmon Making a Wrong Turn
« on: March 07, 2024, 06:35:46 PM »
March 7, 2024

Question: I remember a story late last year about salmon apparently getting lost on their way back to their natural spawning location. Why do fish sometimes get lost and choose the wrong stream or river?

Answer: In November, several salmon swimming upstream to spawn were found dying or dead in a small North Stockton (San Joaquin County) creek. The fish were likely trying to find their way to the Mokelumne River many miles to the north instead.

Usually, salmon raised in hatcheries find their way back to their native river for spawning season, but some take wrong turns along the way. There are several potential reasons for that. It’s believed fish raised in hatchery settings don’t have quite the same strong olfactory (smelling) skills that guide them to the river they were hatched. Also, many rivers in northern California are connected to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and it’s possible through changing tides and flows that water from one river is mixing with water from other rivers, and that can confuse salmon returning upstream.

“There’s a natural instinct of fish to follow flow,” said Jason Julienne, the senior environmental scientist who oversees CDFW’s Sacramento Valley anadromous fish hatcheries. “And where you have a mixing of flows from different tributaries, as is the case in the Delta, it can confuse adult Chinook salmon coming back to the Central Valley that are depending on sense of smell cues to get where they’re supposed to go.”

Other factors that can contribute to fish straying include the trucking of fish downstream to a release point, and water delivery operations such as diversions, pumping and dam releases.

CDFW can determine the origin of raised fish thanks to a coded wire tag that’s implanted in a portion of all hatchery-raised fish at about five months old. The tag is uniquely coded to the hatchery where it was raised, it contains information indicating the age of the fish and the location where it was released.

It's also possible (and fairly common) for fish to make it all the way back to a different hatchery than the facility where they were raised.

3
CA Regulations / Butterflies in Education
« on: March 07, 2024, 06:35:26 PM »
March 7, 2024

Question: How would you suggest schools teach the life cycle of caterpillars becoming butterflies?

Answer: Monarch butterflies are the best known of California’s butterflies, however due to their population fluctuating dramatically in recent years, a scientific collecting permit from CDFW is needed to raise them for educational and other purposes.

Fortunately, there are other ways for teaching about metamorphosis. Instead of captive rearing, CDFW strongly suggests educators create habitat to teach children about butterflies and other pollinators such as bees and birds. This allows children to see these animals in a more natural environment while still providing the opportunity to view all stages of the butterfly lifecycle and a permit is not needed.

When creating habitat, it’s important to include appropriate host plants, like a native milkweed species for monarch butterflies, pipevine for pipevine swallowtail butterflies or fennel for the anise swallowtail butterflies. Another key component is making sure you have an abundance of plants that provide nectar. CDFW recommends using native plants because ornamental plants often are bred to be showy but not for their ability to produce the pollen and nectar pollinators need. Finally, pesticides should be avoided.


4
CA Regulations / Advanced Hunting Clinics
« on: March 07, 2024, 06:35:06 PM »
March 7, 2024

Question: Does CDFW offer hunting instruction that goes beyond the basic certification level?

Answer: CDFW’s Advanced Hunter Education (AHE) program offers in-person clinics and virtual webinars that increase a hunter’s skill set. Since the reduction of COVID-19 restrictions, CDFW has been able to increase the number of clinics, which offer information on the type of firearm to use, ammunition, tracking, field dressing, shoot-don’t shoot scenarios, conservation and safety. CDFW aims to increase the number of in-person clinics scheduled throughout the state.

Clinics are offered throughout the state and nearly every month of the year. The classes are meant to focus on the techniques of hunting, as opposed to covering just the basics of safe and ethical hunting.

“Don’t let the word ‘advanced’ fool you. You do not have to be advanced to attend these clinics or webinars,” said CDFW Hunter Education Administrator Captain Shawn Olague. “The program is geared toward giving participants the knowledge and confidence to pursue  activities they are interested in. You will leave an event with a newfound understanding that will help you be more successful in the field.”

Traditionally the most popular clinics cover wild pig, turkey and waterfowl hunting. Other topics include hunting backcountry big game, avoiding wilderness emergencies, hunting with air guns and even the art of sausage-making. The full 2024 list of topics, dates and locations is found at https://www.register-ed.com/programs/california/162-advanced-hunter-education/page:1 .

View past Advanced Hunter Education webinars via the recordings that are placed on the CDFW YouTube channel ( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-PEXRYYBP1T6WBqMIvaG8AabH3lfDsNl ). The videos can also be found on the Advanced Hunting Clinics home page at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunter-Education/Advanced.

5
March 2, 2024

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced today that fall-run Chinook salmon fry released for the first time from its Fall Creek Fish Hatchery in Siskiyou County are presumed to have succumbed to gas bubble disease in the Klamath River.

On Monday, Feb. 26, CDFW released approximately 830,000 fall-run Chinook salmon fry into Fall Creek, a tributary of the Klamath River above Iron Gate Dam. The fish were hatched at CDFW’s new, $35 million, state-of-the-art Fall Creek Fish Hatchery, which represents California’s long-term commitment to supporting and restoring both Chinook and coho salmon runs on an undammed Klamath River.

The salmon fry experienced a large mortality based on monitoring data downstream. Indications are the cause of mortality is gas bubble disease that likely occurred as the fry migrated though the Iron Gate Dam tunnel, old infrastructure that is targeted for removal along with the Iron Gate Dam itself later this year. Gas bubble disease results from environmental or physical trauma often associated with severe pressure change.

There is no indication the mortality is associated with other Klamath River water quality conditions such as turbidity and dissolved oxygen, which were reading at suitable levels on Feb. 26 and the days prior to release. The visual appearance of the dead fry detected by monitoring equipment points to gas bubble disease. Monitoring equipment documented other healthy yearling coho and Chinook salmon that came from downstream of the dam.

The problems associated with the Iron Gate Dam tunnel are temporary and yet another sad reminder of how the Klamath River dams have harmed salmon runs for generations. CDFW will plan all future salmon releases below Iron Gate Dam until this infrastructure is removed. Poor habitat conditions caused by the dams and other circumstances such as this are reasons why CDFW conducts releases of hatchery fish at various life stages.

CDFW’s Fall Creek Fish Hatchery continues to hold approximately 3.27 million healthy, fall-run Chinook salmon. Additional releases are planned later in the month.

The annual fall-run Chinook salmon production goal for the hatchery is to raise and release 3.25 million fish – 1.25 million released as fry, 1.75 million as smolts, and 250,000 as yearlings. The additional stock of fall-run Chinook salmon remaining in the hatchery exceeds the annual production goal and will help offset losses experienced with the initial release of fry.

6
General Talk / Kiet is looking very good in the ICU
« on: February 28, 2024, 07:56:12 PM »
 :smt007

8
CA Regulations / Artificial Habitats for Freshwater Fish
« on: February 22, 2024, 11:21:51 AM »
February 22, 2024

Question: Why does CDFW build artificial fish habitat in California lakes?

Answer: There are several reasons for CDFW to install artificial habitat in reservoirs around the state. Structures can be placed next to spawning areas to provide protective cover for juvenile fish. These constructions also attract larger fish, providing prime fishing opportunities for anglers.

Artificial fish habitat come in all shapes and sizes, whether orange trees, wood structures or other artificial man-made materials. Manzanita shrubs, Juniper trees and even used Christmas trees have been used for habitat purposes. Softwood like avocado trees are avoided because they deteriorate faster in the water.

Biologists might sink as many as 100 structures at different depths in just one reservoir. Crews also place different types of habitat structures along the shoreline when reservoir levels are low, providing a good area for fish habitat once the waters rise. About two dozen reservoirs contain artificial habitat, from Sutherland in San Diego County to Whiskeytown Lake in Shasta County.

One example is the use of large PVC piping in several Southern California lakes. CDFW places circular pipes, 12 inches in diameter and three feet long, in water hoping to attract catfish. Catfish are known as cavity-nesters and once the males have prepared the pipe for spawning by clearing out any debris, females follow and lay their eggs. The males then return to guard the nest and use their fins to fan the eggs to oxygenate them. Biologists will return to the spots where they’ve placed habitat structures to determine their effectiveness.

With two strong rainy seasons in California, many of the state’s reservoirs are filled to historic water levels, which lessens the need to install artificial habitat. Heavy rains raise reservoir water levels which in turn inundates natural habitat along the shoreline. Although this is beneficial for now, our biologists are planning future projects to continue to improve fisheries habitat in times of drought to ensure fish populations stay healthy.

9
CA Regulations / Identifying Duck Species
« on: February 22, 2024, 11:21:29 AM »
February 22, 2024

Question: As a new waterfowl hunter, how do I learn the difference between duck species?

Answer: This is a common question among beginning waterfowl hunters mostly because they don’t want to run afoul of the law, but some hunters with good identification skills also select preferred duck species to harvest, or they may try to harvest primarily males vs. females.

California hosts 39 species or subspecies of waterfowl, so it can be challenging to learn to identify them. Experience is the best teacher and February is a great time in California to learn duck identification by direct observation.

Our recommendation is to visit any of CDFW’s wildlife areas or national wildlife refuges that are managed for waterfowl habitat, or perhaps wherever there is access to hunt waterfowl during the waterfowl season. Visit those places after the close of waterfowl season while the birds are still around. Bring a good pair of binoculars, a waterfowl identification book and maybe a knowledgeable friend who can help. Not only can you help learn to identify the birds from looking at them, but you’ll also begin to learn to distinguish the birds by their flight patterns and sounds they make.

Fun fact, most waterfowl don’t quack, they whistle or chirp in some form or another.

For more information, visit CDFW’s waterfowl program page ( https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Birds/Waterfowl ). It includes links to resources specific to waterfowl identification.

To find more information on CDFW Lands and their operating hours, please visit the CDFW Lands webpage ( https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands ). Also be sure visit the Emergency Closures page ( https://wildlife.ca.gov/Closures ) before visiting a CDFW office, facility or property.

10
CA Regulations / Hibernation Adjustments
« on: February 22, 2024, 11:21:08 AM »
February 22, 2024

Question: Do bears adjust their hibernation location when heavy weather conditions arrive?

Answer: Researchers throughout North America have reported that black bears can awaken and travel to new locations when disturbed and the same can be said for black bears that inhabit California. Sows with cubs can move the tiny young into an alternate den if the disturbance is at an unacceptable level or if there is some danger – like a flood or landslide.

Hibernation is an adaptation for some mammals and reptiles, which allows them to survive the winter season. In many areas, winter can be unforgiving. Food is hidden beneath the snow, water sources are frozen over and frigid temperatures can have deadly consequences. By hibernating, an animal’s body temperature, heart rate, breathing and other metabolic activities slow down significantly to conserve energy.

In areas with mild winters, such as in Southern California, most bears do not hibernate, because they have adequate resources and the ambient temperature is survivable. Biologists have found that only pregnant sows (female bears) den up for the entire winter.

Black bears are thought to hibernate for about four months in other parts of California. They can hibernate for many months because their body temperature reduces to approximately 88 degrees Fahrenheit, which is within 12 degrees Fahrenheit of normal. By contrast, the body temperature of smaller animals such as marmots, chipmunks and ground squirrels may drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Small mammals must awaken every few days and raise their body temperatures to normal levels so they can eat stored food, and pass waste. Bears can maintain their suspended state because their warm fur allows them to retain body heat.

11
General Talk / Donor found for Kiet (Bluegill)
« on: February 12, 2024, 08:13:02 PM »
He has been accepted for a double-lung transplant.

12
CA Regulations / Delta Smelt Experiment
« on: February 08, 2024, 01:38:19 PM »
February 8, 2024

Question: What’s the latest on CDFW’s experiment with the Delta smelt population?
Answer: CDFW continues to work alongside several partner agencies to learn more about the decline of Delta smelt and what might be possible to aid in the survival of the endangered species.

The Delta Smelt Experimental Release Study involves releasing 90,000 laboratory-raised fish into the Delta this season to determine which methods prove the most effective at production, tagging, transport and release of the fish into the wild. Learning which plan works best could someday help to supplement the population with a goal of aiding in the recovery of the species.

While being raised in captivity, each fish is marked by hand with an adipose fin clip or a fluorescent tag. A particular color indicates to scientists the date, location and experimental method of the release.

Recently 32 metal 20-gallon containers were filled with 200 Delta smelt and emptied directly into the Sacramento River into a specially designed submerged cage. The cage provided a safe environment while the fish adjusted to the river temperature and their new surroundings before they were fully released a few hours later into the river. Through Delta smelt monitoring surveys that are conducted routinely each year, CDFW can learn about their health and survivability.

“Last year was the first time we were able to uniquely mark fish from different experimental release events and get decent numbers of adult fish recaptured in our monitoring surveys,” said CDFW Environmental Program Manager Dr. James Hobbs. “We’re releasing adult fish just before the spawning season, and we’re hoping these fish will meet up and produce the next generations.”

Unfortunately, the same factors responsible for the near disappearance of the fish are still present including a less than reliable flow of freshwater, low food productivity, loss of wetland habitats, predation by non-native species and other reasons. But scientists say the experiment is showing some positive results with survival and recovery of released adults.

13
CA Regulations / Apprentice Hunts
« on: February 08, 2024, 01:38:01 PM »
February 8, 2024

Question: What program does CDFW have that offers hunting instruction for beginners or young people?

Answer: CDFW has apprentice and special hunts that are designed to involve groups not traditionally experienced with hunting opportunities. The hunts are intended for first time or novice-level hunters, with a strong emphasis on hunter education principles and ethics while developing hunting and shooting skills.

Pen-raised pheasants allow for these hunts to happen in locations featuring easy walking, safe shooting and adequate open space for participants to spread out. These birds present a larger and slower moving target than wild birds, allowing more time to follow direction from their CDFW escort and practice safe shooting skills.

CDFW currently holds about 65 apprentice hunts each year. Junior hunts, women’s hunts, family hunts and mobility impaired hunts all fall under the description of apprentice hunts.

Apprentice hunters must possess a valid California hunting license and upland game bird stamp or validation and participants are selected through a random drawing process.

Further information on apprentice and special hunts are at CDFW Apprentice Hunts at https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/ApprenticeHunts/Default.aspx

14
CA Regulations / Bighorn Sheep Survey
« on: February 08, 2024, 01:37:45 PM »
February 8, 2024

Question: What does CDFW do with the information gathered at the bighorn sheep survey in Southern California?

Answer: CDFW organizes a survey each year to determine the number of bighorn sheep in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

After receiving specialized training on how to classify the sex and age of bighorn sheep, some 150 volunteers break into small groups that spend most of the day hiking and looking for bighorn sheep.

Volunteer observations help CDFW calculate population estimates that assist the department in monitoring the health and long-term sustainability of this unique population of desert bighorn sheep that occupies high-elevation habitat.

Volunteer assistance is welcome because the areas being surveyed are large, widespread and in some cases very rugged. Volunteers using binoculars or a spotting scope greatly aid CDFW in accomplishing the survey’s goals.

Participants must be at least 16 years of age and be capable of hiking up to five miles in mountain terrain. Volunteers for the March 3, 2024 event can sign up here: Bighorn Sheep Survey Form at https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=JTxjS7_vBkCfFQdEK6eqCzwhv8MR4C5FgMYRvs7snbFUNlNHQ1JMNDZUR0lJMVhUSjFTVlpaOUY5RC4u

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