Some salmon season news:
Abalone Season Opens May 1,
One Month Later Than Years Past
CDFW is reminding abalone divers that the 2017 season will be shortened by two months, with the traditional opening date of April 1 now delayed until May 1. The fishery will also close a month earlier than usual, on Oct. 31. The July closure remains in effect.
The annual (calendar year) limit is changing from 18 abalone to 12. As in the past, no more than nine abalone may be taken south of the boundary between Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Make sure you are familiar with the 2017-18 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations before you hit the water.
The red abalone limit was reduced and season shortened because CDFW surveys found lower densities of red abalone in deeper waters due to recent unfavorable environmental conditions. There have been three years of poor growth of kelp, a major food for abalone. Dramatic increases in purple sea urchin populations have further reduced the food available for abalone. Lack of food can cause abalone to die from starvation or to be weakened and reduce their ability to survive strong waves. Lack of food in deeper water has probably caused abalone to move into shallower water where they can be caught in the fishery.
The concentration of abalone in shallow water will make them seem more abundant but the overall population is lower and more vulnerable to overfishing. For more details, visit https://cdfwmarine.wordpress.com/2016/03/30/perfect-storm-decimates-kelp/.
Abalone report cards are now available for purchase. Get your fishing license and abalone report card so you don’t miss a single day of the season.
Is this the final-final? 1 month of fishing April 1st thru April 30th?
ReplyDeleteOk, I read it more complete.....more news to come on our salmon season.
ReplyDeleteChamping at the bit much Rokefin?
ReplyDeleteYes a bit of anticipation.....I'm ok with whatever they come up with, I'll take a bad year to ensure healthier future years.
ReplyDeleteGet ready for rocks, lings, and hali
the weather looks good as of now for the opener
ReplyDeleteAs fishermen we all need to come together and put pressure on The dFG to limit the amount of salmon taken in the river system that's where the critical Mission lies I am in favor of shutting down all freshwater salmon fishing this year if they get past the Golden Gate let him go
ReplyDeleteI'm in favor of shutting down all river fishing forever....River time is time for salmon to do their thing without being stressed out from being chased. Our salmon populations would be much healthier, but you would have a problem with the tribe up north. They should only be able to take salmon AFTER the salmon spawn.
ReplyDeleteAnd quit exporting our water south. Its a lost cause boys! I dont know how those guides feel good about themselves making money putting people on brown fish. I wouldnt feed my dog one of those half dead white meat fish out of the river but they dont care guess theyve never ate a 35 pound late august 10 mile smoker. Love me a greasy pig but it might be a couple years. Guess kokonee might have to do.
ReplyDeleteI agree with ya on that abfish. I guess as long as people wanna pay to catch zombies the guides will be fishing for em. I'm sure some will be angry on this statement but I think a limited take of salmon in general is a good idea. And after everything recovers up the limit some but don't completely remove it. Just my 2 cents though.
ReplyDeleteOnce you've tasted fresh ocean salmon there is no going back.
ReplyDeleteThey should let sporties keep 1 salmon per day regardless of size. Released fish have high mortality. 18" or 18#. People need to stop stuffing their freezers. 6 packers and party boats should have similar restricted days on the water to that of commercial fishing. There's no good reason the NSA should be out catching 40+ twenty inch salmon, ever!
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ReplyDeletePunch cards would be the best idea for everyone! The fish are around at different times different years plus it makes it fair for the guy that lives hours away and has a hard time getting out against the guy that is retired and filling his and all his neighborhood freezers.
ReplyDeleteYou mean some anglers have jobs? Hard to believe. I thought Sherman, diver joe, delta Chris lauritzen, Louie, and etc made their living sport fishing for salmon everyday, ok, George?
ReplyDeleteNo not George. Making a living sport fishing, oh man thats funny I'll have to remember that.
ReplyDeleteSherman cant catch salmon, he has to fish everyday just to get anything!
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