September 27, 2024

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams, or scallops from Santa Barbara County.

Dangerous levels of domoic acid, also referred to as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), have been detected in mussels from Santa Barbara County. The naturally occurring domoic acid toxin can cause illness or death in humans. Cooking does not destroy the toxin.

This shellfish safety notification is in addition to the annual mussel quarantine. The annual quarantine applies to all species of mussels harvested for human consumption along the California coast, as well as all bays and estuaries, and will continue through at least October 31.

Symptoms of ASP can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days. In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory, coma, or death.

This warning does not apply to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops, or oysters from approved sources. State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins.

You can get current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines by calling CDPH’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or viewing the recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map. For additional ​information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring web page.

September 27, 2024

The change from summer to fall isn’t the only seasonal change happening. The season for rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod is shifting from inshore fishing to its scheduled offshore fishing starting October 1!

Throughout the month of October, boat-based anglers who are targeting rockfish, cabezon and greenling species or lingcod may only fish in waters seaward of the 50-fathom Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line. Only shelf rockfish, slope rockfish and lingcod may be retained, while take and possession of nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenling are prohibited during the offshore only fishery.

This offshore only fishery will remain in effect through the end of the year for anyone south of 36°00' N latitude (near Point Lopez, Monterey County). However, for those who fish north of 36°00' N latitude you will have one more opportunity to fish inshore of the 20-fathom boundary line during the month of November, before it moves back offshore December 1, through the end of the year.

This seasonal change does not apply to divers and shore-based anglers, who will continue to be exempt from boat-based season restrictions affecting rockfish and other federally managed groundfish. As a reminder, in waters where groundfish species or species groups are closed, such as the Rockfish Conservation Areas, boat-based anglers may possess groundfish to anchor, drift, or transit in or through that closed area. Additionally, while anchoring, drifting or transiting through a closed area with groundfish aboard, anglers may only deploy gear specific to the take of crustaceans, including hoop nets, Dungeness crab traps and dip nets.

August 22, 2024

The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) has adopted regulations to reopen sport fishing for white sturgeon on a catch-and-release basis while the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) conducts a status review to determine if listing the species as “threatened” under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) is warranted.

The white sturgeon sport fishing season is expected to reopen Oct. 1, pending approval of the new regulations by the state Office of Administrative Law. All fishing for white sturgeon was closed in June when the Commission approved the species as a candidate for listing. Candidate species are afforded full protection under CESA while the candidacy review process plays out.

California Fish and Game Code Section 2084 allows the Commission to authorize take by hook and line for any sport fish that is listed as endangered, threatened or a candidate species under CESA. At its Aug. 14-15 meeting, the Commission adopted regulations proposed by CDFW to reopen the fishery on a catch-and-release basis.

“We’re pleased the Commission has agreed to return a sport fishing opportunity for this amazing fish,” said Jay Rowan, Chief of CDFW’s Fisheries Branch. “Sturgeon were swimming in the waters of what is now California 100 million years before Tyrannosaurus rex roamed the planet. They’re living dinosaurs. Catching a sturgeon, being able to see one up close, and watching it swim away to contribute to future generations is a really unique and humbling experience.”

In submitting the proposed new regulations to the Commission, CDFW stated that a complete fishing closure represented a “financial crisis to Californians who rely on this fishery as part of their business. This includes boat captains, fishing guides and businesses that rely on anglers such as bait and tackle store and suppliers, marinas and other boat services.”

CDFW also stated: “The best available science suggests that non-lethal take via a catch-and-release fishery would not harm the long-term viability of white sturgeon in California.” Catch-and-release fishing for white sturgeon has proven popular and lucrative elsewhere, including in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia, Canada, where catch and release fisheries were implemented decades ago to protect declining populations.

The new white sturgeon sport fishing regulations specify two seasons to protect spawning and migrating fish and to reduce stress during warmer times of the year:

(1) From Oct. 1 through June 30: For ocean waters and San Francisco Bay east to downstream of the confluence of the Feather River on the Sacramento River and downstream of the I-5 bridge on the San Joaquin River.

(2) Anglers are still required to have a valid Sturgeon Fishing Report Card in their possession.

The new regulations also specify expanded handling requirements: Any sturgeon greater than 60 inches fork length may not be removed from the water and shall be released immediately. Previously this requirement was set at any sturgeon greater than 68 inches. Additionally, sturgeon of any size shall not be held out of the water suspended by the gills, gill plates, mouth or solely by the tail, and shall not be dragged across the ground, boat decks or piers.

The regulations approved by the Commission are available online as part of a staff summary at the Commission’s website.

As part of the candidacy process, CDFW is tasked with developing a comprehensive status report of the species and is collecting scientific data and public comments on the listing proposal to help inform the Commission’s ultimate decision. Public comments and outside scientific data are due to CDFW by Oct. 31, 2024, and should be submitted to sturgeon@willidfe.ca.gov and include “White Sturgeon CESA” in the subject line.

August 9, 2024

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams, or scallops from Humboldt County.   

Dangerous levels of domoic acid, also referred to as amnesic shellfish poisoning, have been detected in mussels from Humboldt County. The naturally occurring domoic acid toxin can cause illness or death in humans. Cooking does not destroy the toxin. 

This shellfish safety notification is in addition to the warnings against eating sport-harvested bivalve shellfish in Humboldt County due to paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins and sport-harvested razor clams from Humboldt County due to domoic acid. The annual mussel quarantine is also in effect. The annual quarantine applies to all species of mussels harvested for human consumption along the California coast, as well as all bays and estuaries, and will continue through at least October 31.

Symptoms of amnesic shellfish poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days. In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory, coma, or death. 

This warning does not apply to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops, or oysters from approved sources. State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins. ​

You can get current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines by calling CDPH’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or viewing the recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map. For additional ​information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring web page.

August 2, 2024

CDFW is asking recreational anglers to begin "Hoot Owl" practices when fishing - voluntarily changing how, when and where they fish to minimize stress and mortality among fish populations suffering from drought conditions. "Hoot Owl" recommendations reference being active during times of day when owls can be heard hooting. These times are typically earlier in the day when weather conditions are cooler. As conditions change, CDFW will post updates on the "Hoot Owl" information page.

Overview

Environmental conditions brought on by drought can affect fish in many ways. Biologically, fish experiencing elevated water temperatures and associated lower oxygen levels will be highly stressed and, in some situations, have elevated levels of mortality or disease. Low water conditions may also limit fish abilities to naturally migrate for spawning or to seek cooler water refuge. Fish species that rely on migration and rearing as part of their life cycle are especially at risk. These degraded environmental conditions brought on by drought are not just affecting coastal waters, but inland fish populations are also at significant risk. Coldwater species such as trout and salmon have the greatest likelihood of being affected by the drought this year, but low water levels and high water temperatures can potentially affect all inland aquatic species.

What are Hoot Owl recommendations?

CDFW is requesting that anglers voluntarily avoid fishing after 12:00 p.m. on select waters throughout California. This approach directs anglers to focus their angling during the cooler “hoot owl” periods of the day when water temperatures are lowest. These voluntary angling recommendations will be triggered by ongoing monitoring of select fisheries across California. When these select fisheries begin to achieve sustained afternoon water temperatures exceeding 67° Fahrenheit, CDFW will add the water(s) to a “Hoot Owl” watchlist below and will work with local stakeholders and CDFW staff to help with outreach to inform anglers. Although these are not legal angling closures, CDFW strongly recommends adhering to the recommendations for the specific waters listed until removed when conditions for those waters improve.

Note: this list is not static and will be updated as conditions change with waters being added and removed.

Current Hoot Owl Waters:

1. Bridgeport Reservoir  in Mono County

2. Crowley Lake  in Mono County

3. Deep Creek  in San Bernardino County

4. Hot Creek  in Mono County

5. Lower Owens River  (Pleasant Valley Dam downstream to Five Bridges) in Mono County

6. Lower Rush Creek  (Grant Lake to Mono Lake) in Mono County

7. Middle Piru Creek  (Frenchman’s Flat Area)

8. Mill Creek  (Walker Basin) in Mono County

9. Truckee River  (Lake Tahoe to the Nevada state line) in Nevada, Placer and Sierra counties

10. Upper Truckee River  in El Dorado County

What else can anglers do to help our fisheries during a drought year?

Many fish species will often search out cold water refuges during elevated temperatures, which could include deeper water, spring seeps or cold-water tributaries. Anglers should avoid fishing these refuge areas if fishing results in moving fish across a temperature gradient greater than 10° Fahrenheit, as this can result in increased angling-based mortality. Although this may not be an issue for anglers interested in harvesting fish, the resulting mortality may affect non-targeted species or fish outside of the legal size limits.

Angling Tips for Decreasing Fish Stress:

1. Minimize the time you spend "fighting" the fish and any hands-on handling.

2. Use rubber or coated nylon nets to protect a fish's slime layer and fins.

3. Quickly remove the hook with forceps or needle-nosed pliers.

4. Minimize the amount of time the fish is exposed to air, especially when the weather is warm. Keep your hands wet when handling the fish.

5. If the fish is deeply hooked, do not pull on the line. Instead, cut the line as close as possible to where it is hooked and leave the hook.

6. Allow the fish to recover in the net before you release it.

7. If the fish does not stay upright when you release it, gently move it back and forth.

8. Avoid fighting fish from deeper, cooler waters and bringing them into warmer waters at the surface.

9. Target fisheries that have stable water levels or species that are more resilient to elevated temperatures.

July 19, 2024

The Pacific bluefin tuna stock has reached international rebuilding targets a decade ahead of schedule! While commercial landings of different tuna species are available year-round in local California markets, this unique and highly desirable fish is most found in the markets from May through October. 
Due to its higher fat content, Pacific bluefin tuna is generally considered a higher-quality product than other tuna species. Its flesh is the darkest and fattiest of any tuna and has the firmness and appearance of beef steaks. It is typically served as sushi and sashimi and makes amazing poke. When cooked, it is usually seared and served rare to preserve its flavor and texture.

You can check out the seafood profile through NOAA Fisheries to learn more about the nutrition information for this California delicacy (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/.../pacific.../seafood).
CDFW will work with NOAA Fisheries to consider the latest Pacific bluefin tuna status information during the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s September meeting to determine that the stock is no longer in an overfished condition.

Eating fresh, locally caught, seafood is a great way to support California’s ocean economy and recognize sustainable fisheries. 

For more information on the science and management history of this tasty fish, check out the CDFW Marine Species Portal: https://marinespecies.wildlife.ca.gov/pacific.../false/.

For more information on the stock rebuilding success, see NOAA Fisheries’ feature story: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/.../overfished-sustainable....

The last post was on May 3, 2024. CDFW decided there was not enough interest even though I told them that I provide all their posts to groups like NCKA. Their reaction was that they never considered distribution like ours. They are changing to QUARTERLY reports which will be sent through a newsletter via the license portal.