Hi. I'm still alive, no matter what my posting may look like. Not much to talk about until now. Here's the headline: "

CDFW Lifts Trap Restrictions in the Commercial and Recreational Dungeness Crab Fisheries 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will lift the Dungeness crab trap prohibition in Fishing Zones 3-6 (all areas south of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line) for the recreational fishery on Jan. 14, 2023 at 8:01 a.m. CDFW will lift the 50 percent commercial fishery trap reduction in Fishing Zones 3-6 on Jan. 15, 2023 at 8:01 a.m. The current 50 percent trap reduction for the commercial fishery and trap prohibition in the recreational fishery will remain in place until lifted on the respective dates.

Based on available data and as indicated by historical migration patterns, humpback whale abundance is at or near a seasonal low within the Dungeness crab fishing grounds. As a result, CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham is lifting the trap restrictions in Fishing Zones 3-6 for both fisheries because of lowered entanglement risk. However, a Fleet Advisory will be issued for the recreational fishery and will be continued for the commercial fishery to remain vigilant and avoid setting gear in areas where whales are transiting or foraging. All anglers are also strongly encouraged to follow best practices, as described in the Best Practices Guide.

CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place in mid-February 2023." Crab pots will be cool again, for a little bit, starting on the 14th. So aside from filling reservoirs and preventing salmon smolt death, the other cool thing about the recent storms is that the whales, like Elvis, have left the building. Of course, taking advantage of that will be difficult as the weather sucks and the water is full of trees and parts of trees. It only takes one log to ruin not only your day but maybe also your boat and possibly your life (depending on how you meet). If you go, watch out and good luck. I saw a post on Instagram this morning showing commercial pots outside of San Francisco Bay that were full of dead crab and mud (the mud causing the death of the crab. Crab can't breathe mud) due to the high swells and storms. Tomales Bay is full of mostly fresh water, which, unsurprisingly, crab don't like. Deep holes may have happy crab but shallow water is pretty crab-free. Snarers, good luck and cast far.

    Speaking of the storms, here's some photos of the big swell at Dillon Beach sent over from local DB fisherman Robbie: 

Here's next year's groundfish (rockfish) regulations: "

San Francisco Management Area

Ocean waters between 38°57.5' N. latitude (Point Arena) and 37°11' N. latitude (Pigeon Point)
Includes a portion of Mendocino County, all of Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, and most of San Mateo County

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" This sucks, mostly, but in particular the worst part (to me) is the part where between May 15 and July 15 you must fish only deep but you can't keep Olive rockfish but Yellowtail are okay. I can't tell the difference. I'm afraid that the good wardens of CDFW may have the same problem. Here's a few tips on telling them apart, according to Mexican-fish.com: "The Yellowtail Rockfish has a narrow body with a depth that is 31% to 35% of standard length. They have reduced head spines compared to other rockfish. They have a dark brown to greenish brown coloration on their back above the lateral line and are brown and tan with yellow tinges below the lateral line. Some fish are melatin – very dark. Their scales are flecked with orange-brown to brown above the lateral line and are brown or tan flecked with yellow below the lateral line. Their head has yellow or green striping that is more prominent below the eyes. They have a series of white or pale blotches just below their dorsal fins. All their fins are yellow or orange. Fish taken from deeper waters have a darker coloration, however these bright colors and blotches fade immediately upon collection. Their head is relatively short with a small terminal mouth and large eyes. Their anal fin has 3 spines and 7 to 9 rays; their caudal fin is slightly indented; their dorsal fin has 12 or 13 spines and 13 to 16 rays; and, their pectoral fins have 17 to 19 rays. They have 31 to 39 gill rakers. Their body is covered with scales.

 The Olive Rockfish has a narrow elongated bodies with a depth that is 29% to 33% of standard length. They are streamlined and lack head spines. They have a dark greenish-brown or brown coloration dorsally which gradually changes to lighter greenish-brown, brown or gray ventrally. They have greenish or light colored blotches just below their dorsal fin and greenish-yellow or drab fins. Their head is mid-sized with a small terminal mouth and medium sized beady eyes. Their anal fin has 3 spines and 8 to 10 rays; their caudal fin is square to slightly indented; their dorsal fin has 12 to 14 spines and 15 to 17 rays; and, their pectoral fins have 17 to 19 rays. They have 29 to 36 gill rakers and their body is covered with scales.

"  They seem pretty similar to me. There's a lot of overlap. A lot. Pretty much, if you catch a fish that may be either of these in deep water and it blows up from decompression sickness you can't keep it. If you can release it safely then you can keep it. Obviously. If it's easy and makes sense, it's wrong.