update on FMP survey at MRC meeting 3/4/15

Ian Tanaguchi reported at the MRC meeting yesterday that as of mid February 675 surveys had been returned, 88% were by divers, 14% by rock pickers. He then said that as of this week almost 1,500 had been returned but he didn't have the percentages of who was turning them in. I've asked for those numbers but I'm not holding my breath that I'll get them before their made public.

My point is that between mid February and now the survey was published in several news papers and online forums that are not dive related or not hunter friendly and in that time more than half of the surveys were submitted. One could look at the numbers from mid February and get a sense that the results will be heavily driven by actual ab divers but it's possible that the opposite may occur. It's important that we, (divers), all fill these out and get as many others to fill it out as well.

Survey ends tomorrow.

https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Invertebrates/Abalone/Survey

Joshua, I did this and so did both my daughters, who had ab cards last season. I was disappointed with the feedback collected, nothing seems to have changed.

Is there any likelihood of change in the future, like limits per day and per season going up?

Thanks for representing us!

The only thing constant is change.  I'd really like to get our 3/24 back and guarantee the fishery will remain open for the next generation.  The discussion up to now has been that anything is possible but it's all going to come with trade offs. 

For instance, we could lengthen the season or increase the limit but we may be urged to increase the minimum size to compensate.  Something along those lines.

There are several different groups and individuals involved and all have similar interests with different priorities and methods so it's impossible to say what it is going to look like at this early stage.  What I can tell you is that EVERYONE agrees that the fishery is VERY healthy right now.  That includes the DFW biologists.  I can also say that the needless reduction to 18 is part of the catalyst for this change. 

Thank you for taking the time to fill out the survey. 

Joshua, Again my appreciation for you represeinting everyone in the diving side. I forgot to ask about the 9 in Sonoma rule. I know there was the big die off at Ft. Ross a couple years back, but wonder if that limit for Sonoma county is still needed. I've been in at Salt Point, Timber Cove, and Sea Ranch and just from a non-scientist point of view like there's a pretty good number of abs in Sonoma now. Did they just keep that as a precaution or do the numbers indicate a reduced take is necessary. I know that coming from the Bay Area, especially later in the season, there are times I'd rather drive less and dive more!
Thanks!!

They've just concluded the next round of Sonoma transects.  We won't know what they show until they present it to the commission but we expect the numbers to be good.  In regards to the Sonoma sub limit, I doubt any regs will change until the new FMP is rolled out.

Josh, have we ever thought of having our own independent SCUBA transects done?

There are several reasons why we might consider doing our own transects but they all come down to the same conclusion.  The commission would never be able to look at our transects or use the data with the same confidence they do their own.  We could do our own transects but they would only be able to be used as anecdotal evidence to support what everyone already knows, the fishery is very healthy.

For the past few months I have been working with The Nature Conservancy's working group to prove an alternate method of data collection.  I designed and manufactured a set of calipers for them that can be used for data collection and we are currently conducting a pilot program to prove this method.  If it works, we hope to get this method mentioned as an approved method of "citizen science" data collection in the new FMP.  This would give the commissioners an alternative data source to consider when making management decisions.  I've attached a brochure if you're interested in more info.

That's great news Josh. Is there anywhere I could check to stay in the loop on this? Would love to get involved since I'm back on the west coast for good, but I'm down in SD. Any point in running those survey's down here? I know lobstering I saw a good amount of legal+ abs. (on scuba)

We're working on it. Right now it's a pilot project but we will soon be looking to incorporate volunteers.