What Can We Do

This is the letter I sent to the commission today.  I need all of you to write to the commission to support this request.  It will help if you mention my name or the Watermen's Alliance or even this letter specifically.  Also, The Watermen's Alliance, SCAN, and The Mendocino County Fish and Game Commission are hosting a meeting in Fort Bragg on December 3rd to discuss the options proposed by the department and anything that comes out of this meeting at the MRC next week.  We need as many people as possible at the December 3rd meeting.  I know it's just outside of abalone season but if you didn't know already, December is when the big lings come in shallow.  I'll set the time for the December 3rd meeting when I meet with the department next week but I expect something like noon to 4.

I already wrote to Ian Tanaguchi, but I'll write to these guys too and mention Watermen's Alliance.
Thanks Josh!

 The best place to send letters is to:
Ian Taniguchi at: [email protected]
Or to the Commission at: [email protected]

Is there somewhere online that I can see the actual survey data or at least where the triggers were tripped and also see the full text of the recommendations?

So far searching the net I can't find either,

The information is not on line yet.  Don't know if it will be.

The two triggers are:
Average densities overall continue to decline since the closure in 2012 = 25% reduction in  TAC
Low Densities in the deep water transects and no spawning p = another 25% reduction in TAC

The first reduction gets the TAC down to about where our level of take is currently translating the second into a need for 25% reduction in take.

If you send me your e-mail I can send you the presentations

Thanks,

[email protected]

I'll try attaching them to this post so everyone can see them.  If that doesn't work, I'll send them to you.

This post works for me, click the link download to your computer and open. Also the ones you emailed worked as well.

One question for now, what is considered the deep refuge.

Lots of interesting info, sorry I had to miss that meeting.

One question for now, what is considered the deep refuge.

deeper than 30'

The e-mails are working guys.  I just got a call from the department asking me what options divers want.  That's huge!  So I'll make you a deal, you post a screen shot of your e-mail to the commission or cc me on your e-mail and I'll take your suggestion straight to the department on the 15th.  You can also include your suggestion in your e-mail but post it here to and get some ideas flowing.

Here's mine Josh.

Right on James.

Sent this morning, (To Ian and the F&GC)

After reviewing the data and proposals from the recent RAAC meeting I feel the need to make my views known.

First, I’d question the data, not that the actual data collected might be inaccurate, I will accept it as is. But I would question its use for requiring a change in the TAC.  Mostly I would question how it relates to the overall health of the Red Abalone population off the Northern California coast. It looks to me like all or most of the sites surveyed were routinely harvested in comparison to the miles and miles of more remote (from easy access) coastline that wasn’t surveyed. I think it reasonable to assume that densities in the unsurveyed areas would be somewhat higher than the areas DFW did survey. Since much of the decline of the abalone population is not from harvesting I realize that the densities in the more remote locations may be similar to those surveyed but still it is a reasonable assumption that the densities there would be higher.

With that said it appears that the proposed regulations are aimed at protecting the quality of the fishery and not the species as pointed out in Josh Russo’s letter of Nov 7. Regulation changes at this point in time are not required to protect the species.

Since the regulation change is triggered by the data and the ARMP. I believe the 2 triggers are so interrelated as to be considered one and the same and should only call for a single 25% reduction in TAC.

Also since the ARMP assumptions may be flawed and need work and this type of data is highly variable I believe any regulation change should be for a specific time limit like 1-2 years and action would be required to keep it in place instead of making it open ended where action would be required to undo it.

And finally I enjoy diving in November and view access and the option to dive for a full season more important than to limit the TAC by another 1%. (118000 vs 119000).

Thank You.
Dale Della Rosa

Excellent Dale.

Make sure you send letters guys.  Just liking this on FB aint gonna cut it this time.  Also, I finalized the agreement with the department.  Watermen's Alliance, SCAN and the Mendocino County Fish and Game Commission will be hosting a meeting on December 3rd at the CV Starr Center in Fort Bragg from noon to 4 to impress upon the department our desire for more and better solutions to the current situation.  Plan on being at that meeting.  We need to make a good showing.  I'm working with Blake to possibly do a BBQ at Subsurface before or after the meeting or something.  Formal announcement will be next week after I meet with the commissioners so I'll know about their position.

Thank you to:

The San Diego Freedivers,
Fathomiers,
OC Spearos,
Monterey Bay Tritons,
NorCal Skin Divers,
NorCal Underwater Hunters,
Pacific Nalu Spearfishing,
Keli's Ocean Sports,
The Freedive Shop,
Subsurface Prgression,
Seals Water sports, Dive, Surf, etc.,

and all the individual divers and businesses that are writing in to support the Watermen's Alliance position.

Keep them coming.  Make sure every diver you know writes in and comes to the meeting on December 3rd in Fort Bragg.

Josh