Ab Divers take a look

Don't know if my abalone bretheren are aware of this, but figured I'd post just in case.

This is from David Hurley who writes for USA Fishing.

The Hurley Chronicles – October 17, 2011:


One issue has kind of snuck under the radar although it has been posted and informational hearing held in both August and September. An adoption vote will be held this Wednesday/Thursday in Monterey regarding proposed changes to abalone regulations resulting in a decrease for divers and greatly diminished opportunities for rockpickers. There is one day remaining to submit written comments by email. (See Below)

The following is language from the Fish and Game Commission’s website. A full text in included in the Round and About Section.

 

Under existing regulations (Section 29.15, Title 14, CCR), red abalone may only be taken for

recreational purposes north of a line drawn due west magnetic from the center of the mouth of

San Francisco Bay. Current regulations also specify: season, hours, daily limits, special gear

provisions, measuring devices, abalone report card requirements, and sizes.

The regulation change is being proposed in response to the guidelines in the Abalone Recovery

and Management Plan (ARMP), adopted by the Commission in 2005, with regard to average

abalone density at eight index sites (surveyed on a three year cycle) within Mendocino and

Sonoma counties. Recent scuba surveys indicate that the average density of emergent abalone

(sublegal and legal sized) has trended downward over the past six years. Average density is

now at 0.54 abalone/m2 for the index sites which is substantially below the 0.68/m2 average

from the previous three years. Abalone creel surveys based on interviews with fishermen have

recently shown indications of declining abalone populations. Wardens have also observed

fishermen experiencing increased difficulty in catching limits of abalone. Low average densities

and declining trends indicate a risk that leaving regulations unchanged could result in further

reductions in average density, to values below the ARMP trigger level of 0.50 abalone/m2, a

density level that requires a 25 percent reduction in the total allowable catch (TAC) for the

fishery. Abalone fishing effort, as well as catch, in the Fort Ross area is much higher than other

sites and abalone densities there are approaching levels which would trigger closure for the

site. Consequently, the Department is proposing regulations which will reduce the catch in the

hopes that further reductions in average density and the closure of Fort Ross can be prevented.

The regulatory change will amend the existing regulations by either reducing fishing hours,

reducing the annual limit, and/or reducing the season in the Fort Ross area, depending on

which option(s) is chosen. The proposed regulation would also require every person using a

container to store abalone prior to tagging to possess his own container and to retain abalone

only in his own container. The following summarizes the options for regulatory change in Title

14, Section 29.15.

Option 1:

o Change the legal fishing hours to begin at 8:00 AM instead of one-half hour

before sunrise.

Option 2:

o Reduce the annual limit from 24 abalone per year to no less than 12 abalone

per year.

Option 3:

o Reduce the season at Fort Ross area by closing the months of April and May.

Option 4:

o Require every person who uses a container to store abalone, prior to tagging, to

possess his own container and to retain abalone only in his own container.

2

NOTICE IS GIVEN that any person interested may present statements, orally or in writing,

relevant to this action at a hearing to be held at the Red Lion Hotel, 1830 Hilltop Drive, Redding,

California, on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 8:30 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter

may be heard.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that any person interested may present statements, orally or in

writing, relevant to this action at a hearing to be held in the Beach Resort Monterey, 2600 Sand

Dunes Drive, Monterey, California, on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 8:30 a.m., or as soon

thereafter as the matter may be heard. It is requested, but not required, that written comments

be submitted on or before October 14, 2011 at the address given below, or by fax at (916) 653-

5040, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Written comments mailed, faxed or e-mailed to the

Commission office, must be received before 5:00 p.m. on October 17, 2011. All comments

must be received no later than October 20, 2011 at the hearing in Monterey, CA. If you would

like copies of any modifications to this proposal, please include your name and mailing address.