Big Changes to Sport Groundfish Regulations Coming in 2023

I find it interesting that nearly every year the groundfish regs change, but the halibut regs haven't changed in over 20 years. I'd like to see more effort by DFW to curb the downward trajectory of halibut numbers in places like Tomales Bay. Catching halibut there has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Perhaps it's time DFW take a closer look.

brah. re-evaluate yourself. constipation

I find it interesting that nearly every year the groundfish regs change, but the halibut regs haven't changed in over 20 years. I'd like to see more effort by DFW to curb the downward trajectory of halibut numbers in places like Tomales Bay. Catching halibut there has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Perhaps it's time DFW take a closer look.

You should read some of the stock assessments for cali hali.  One thing that is very evident is the the population has very big up trends (strong recruitment years) every now and then, followed by long lulls.  It doesn’t seem to be correlated to overfishing necessarily.

-Allen

The near shore stuff needs a rest. The Sonoma coast has been decimated in the last 20 years. It sucks for us ,but it's the resource that counts.

I'm curious what makes you say that about the Sonoma Coast. Can you share any insight? I have personally found it more and more difficult to pull fish out of the waters between Salmon Creek and Ft. Ross. Last three times I dove there it was barren.

In the interest of long-term rockfish conservation, here's a suggestion that might get me beat up in a parking lot: Reduce the total rockfish limit to 5 or 6 in "shallow" water. This would discourage many or most boat anglers, who pay high prices to fish in gas and charter fees, from fishing in shallow waters. They can easily motor out to deeper waters if they really need their 10 fish. This would take pressure off the coastal strip and leave these waters to kayakers, shore anglers and divers. This strategy might depend on defining "shallow" quite liberally, like into the 100-foot range, to make sure deep-water anglers don't just mop up the shallow-water fish when they momentarily drift into the deeper areas.   

I find it interesting that nearly every year the groundfish regs change, but the halibut regs haven't changed in over 20 years. I'd like to see more effort by DFW to curb the downward trajectory of halibut numbers in places like Tomales Bay. Catching halibut there has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Perhaps it's time DFW take a closer look.

You should read some of the stock assessments for cali hali.  One thing that is very evident is the the population has very big up trends (strong recruitment years) every now and then, followed by long lulls.  It doesn’t seem to be correlated to overfishing necessarily.

-Allen

I have only been fishing for them in the SF bay for 5 years and I am definitely noticing the volume has been improving. (Or maybe I just got better )

I find it interesting that nearly every year the groundfish regs change, but the halibut regs haven't changed in over 20 years. I'd like to see more effort by DFW to curb the downward trajectory of halibut numbers in places like Tomales Bay. Catching halibut there has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Perhaps it's time DFW take a closer look.

You should read some of the stock assessments for cali hali.  One thing that is very evident is the the population has very big up trends (strong recruitment years) every now and then, followed by long lulls.  It doesn’t seem to be correlated to overfishing necessarily.

-Allen

I have only been fishing for them in the SF bay for 5 years and I am definitely noticing the volume has been improving. (Or maybe I just got better )

I think in the broader macro view the halibut fishery is very healthy, but micro locations like Tomales get hit extremely hard, and most locals I've spoken with up there say the fishing has deteriorated in recent years.

...micro locations like Tomales get hit extremely hard, and most locals I've spoken with up there say the fishing has deteriorated in recent years.

I've heard stories of the 50-60#  cali hali that used to get pulled out of Tomales 60-70 years ago.  In about 20 trips, I've never caught one (of any size) there myself, but I probably just suck at catching halibut. 

The near shore stuff needs a rest. The Sonoma coast has been decimated in the last 20 years. It sucks for us ,but it's the resource that counts.

I'm curious what makes you say that about the Sonoma Coast. Can you share any insight? I have personally found it more and more difficult to pull fish out of the waters between Salmon Creek and Ft. Ross. Last three times I dove there it was barren.

In the interest of long-term rockfish conservation, here's a suggestion that might get me beat up in a parking lot: Reduce the total rockfish limit to 5 or 6 in "shallow" water. This would discourage many or most boat anglers, who pay high prices to fish in gas and charter fees, from fishing in shallow waters. They can easily motor out to deeper waters if they really need their 10 fish. This would take pressure off the coastal strip and leave these waters to kayakers, shore anglers and divers. This strategy might depend on defining "shallow" quite liberally, like into the 100-foot range, to make sure deep-water anglers don't just mop up the shallow-water fish when they momentarily drift into the deeper areas.

the problem stated with the MLPA .it put intense pressure on a very small area. Stewart's pt.,upper saltpoint etc. Hold many more areas,of productive reefs. If you are able to spread out the pressure, the whole system is more sustainable.  I am all for a 5 fish limit. 

I find it interesting that nearly every year the groundfish regs change, but the halibut regs haven't changed in over 20 years. I'd like to see more effort by DFW to curb the downward trajectory of halibut numbers in places like Tomales Bay. Catching halibut there has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Perhaps it's time DFW take a closer look.

You should read some of the stock assessments for cali hali.  One thing that is very evident is the the population has very big up trends (strong recruitment years) every now and then, followed by long lulls.  It doesn’t seem to be correlated to overfishing necessarily.

-Allen

I have only been fishing for them in the SF bay for 5 years and I am definitely noticing the volume has been improving. (Or maybe I just got better )

I think in the broader macro view the halibut fishery is very healthy, but micro locations like Tomales get hit extremely hard, and most locals I've spoken with up there say the fishing has deteriorated in recent years.

I don't disagree with you! I haven't caught a legal halibut there! The only legal fish (yes, the only legal fish) I have taken from tomales bay was a wsb