I didn't post yesterday when these came out, but since nothing changes here, I didn't feel the need to post, post Christmas party. My posts are barely coherent as it is, no reason to push the envelope to reinforce the same-old, same-old. So, now, here's the info that's nothing new to us: "

Media Contacts: Ryan Bartling, CDFW Marine Region, (415) 238-2638 Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

CDFW Continues Partial Recreational Crab Trap Restriction and Delays Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Due to Entanglement Risk The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is continuing the temporary recreational crab trap restriction from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Lopez Point, Monterey County, (Fishing Zones 3 and 4) due to the presence of humpback whales and the potential for entanglement of humpback whales and leatherback sea turtles with trap gear. The recreational trap restriction will be in effect until at least the next risk assessment. The temporary trap restriction currently in effect in Fishing Zone 1 (Cape Mendocino to the Oregon state line) will be lifted at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at which time the use of recreational crab traps in Fishing Zones 1, 2, 5 and 6 will be allowed. A Fleet Advisory remains in effect for the recreational fishery for all Fishing Zones (1-6). CDFW reminds recreational crabbers that take of Dungeness crab by other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares, is allowed during a temporary trap restriction. CDFW also encourages recreational crabbers to implement best practices, as described in the Best Practices Guide. The commercial Dungeness crab fishery in all Fishing Zones (1-6) will remain delayed due to high numbers of humpback whales and a recent confirmed entanglement of a leatherback sea turtle in commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear lost in a previous season. CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place on or around Dec. 21, 2023, at which time Director Charlton H. Bonham will re-evaluate available data to inform the potential for a commercial fishery opener and modification of the recreational trap restriction. For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page. For more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/crab. ###

Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the EEO Office at (916) 902-9097, or send an email to EEO@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately.

" So, no traps, and no way for commercial guys to pay their bills. Got it. Situation normal. Message received. Thank your deity of choice for conicals, as without them our crabbing would suck. Hard. I've tried both kinds of hoops, head to head, and the ones that Promar lobbied for, the conicals, really work better. Thanks, guys. 

  Also, a bit back, I mentioned that there was a salmon caught in San Diego in  a river. A river in San Diego? I think I said. Anyhoo, this : "

" Not proof, but social media, so.... make your own decision. Along with the reports of excessive fish in every river (save the one that counts. How weird?} it seems plausible. Just know that the sea will be swarming with salmon next year, built for you to catch them,  but because of...... reasons, natural fish are pretty much extinct, so the ones that were made for you to catch will still be off limits, and there's lots of them. LOTS. Makes perfect sense. Anyways, halibut! Who's ready for next year? 

Dammit.