Do you hear all that splashing? That's the sound of hundreds of commercial crab pots hitting the water. There's not an abundance of crab and the price isn't very good, but at least the crabbers get to go to work. The presence of whales in the area delayed the season from a November 15th opener to a December 23rd start, then the issues on price slid the start back to today. While a forecast of not many crab would usually raise the price, the lack of crab feeds, closed restaurants and a tanking live market in Asia have cut demand.
I tried a little striper fishing in the surf on Saturday during the low tide. The seaweed catching was good but no fish bites. The beach conditions were not good, at least on the south half of Dillon Beach. The big swells erased almost all of the structure (points, bars, channels) that I would normally key on. From the high tide line to water's edge at low tide was 100 to 200 yards of gradually sloping sand. There's a couple of places that might hold fish at high tide near the point but mid to low water looked awful.
This weekend we had a significant turnout of Fish and Wildlife wardens. They were primarily checking clammers but I did see a couple of nice stainless steel crab pots in the back of one truck. On Saturday I was told by a warden that the restrictions on using water pumps for clamming would be going into effect very soon. I then received this email from the Coastodian yesterday: "Hi Willy,
Are you aware that the CDFW plans to prohibit the use of pumps to take clams?
At the last CFGC meeting I was told that an emergency ruling would be put in place in February (exact date unclear) banning their use.
A permanent ban will be put in place in the future prior to the emergency ban expiring.
I’ll ask those at CFGC/CDFW how they plan to promulgate this big change so that people can plan accordingly.
Perhaps you could let folks know they need to find their shovels and clam tubes and leave the pump at home in the near future." The current warning to not eat sport-caught shellfish from Marin County didn't seem to slow down the clamming but this pump ban might.
15 comments:
Best news in a long, long time.
Outlaw
It seems to me that the pumps work pretty good, not chopping off necks or killing all the other slimy things in your excavation. Do they make it too easy to get limits?
Basically, yes. Some of the issues with pumps are:
1) That you don't need a very low tide. People are out there getting multiple limits of clams when the water is still at 1.5 or 1.0 above the low mean.
2) That it is quick, so there are a lot of people taking more than their limits.
3) That it keeps the clams in perfect condition making them more marketable. A significant portion of the clams taken here end up being sold. It isn't legal but it's hard to stop.
When you see the wardens leave here with the beds of their pickups full of clams every two weeks it starts to make you think that the clams won't last. A warden said "Clams are the new abalone". I'm glad that they're trying to keep that statement from being 100% true.
Tomales bay gaper limit of 3 seems reasonable to me. 3 big horsenecks makes 5lbs of clam strips. Plus washington's taste better. I am glad they are outlawing those pumps.
Nice re-cap Willy.
Whether it is the abalone's, clams, sunfish (crappie, bluegill) etc, it is the absolute disrespect for our natural resources that these violators continue to do. Their fines should be so steep and hard felt that it absolutely discourages them. But they usually go right back to it. I see it when I am deer hunting in the D Zones. Got pulled over at a DFG checkpoint on the D zone opener out of Hell Hole and the squirrel hunters (so they were telling the officers) were hunting them with AR's and tarps piled in their car trunks. Hmmm!! Back to my point, stiff fines are needed. My two cents!
The decision to charge or not charge a poacher is made by the district attorney. Sharing your concerns about the emptying of our coastal waters, rivers and forests with the district attorney and elected officials in your area is the best way to increase the visibility of these crimes amongst those charged with prosecuting them. A concise, cordial letter with your specific concerns addressed to Lori Frugoli in Marin County, Jill Ravitch in Sonoma County as well as to your local Supervisor is recommended. Wardens spend an enormous amount of time and energy observing, citing, arresting poachers. If you want stiffer fines that deter, write the DA and your electeds.
China town fish markets and restaurants in SF...
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The one problem I see is having a DA that would even want to prosecute such low level crimes, (in their opinion, not ours) let alone stiffening up the fines. We have been asking for this for a long time and just falls on deaf ears. I have helped DFG 3 times in my life catch and arrest violators when I have observed them, never once taking the Cal-Tip reward. They need the money more than me. And maybe a couple of those times I made it sure that they could not drive away from the scene. Hint, hint.
By pumps, would that mean the hand pump that looks like a shrimp pump but maybe 3 inches diameter?
Willy, you were spot on with your observation of low numbers of crab. I saw the commercial fellows are only getting 3-4 per pot instead of the usual 12-15 or 20.
As I understand it, the intent was for hand operated water pumps to get banned, not "shrimp guns". I haven't seen any wording, but there may be more things de-legalized than intended. It happens.
Just repeating what I was told. My cousin had a decent first pull but isn't going to bother running gear again until next week as he doesn't expect much more.
A commercial guy at Spud Point told me two days ago he is seeing 2 crabs per pot. Dismal.
Heard from commercial friend 240 crab for 200 pots on their first pull.
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