tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33858143415547871662024-03-29T04:03:29.426-07:00Lawson's Landing Fishing ReportWilly Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.comBlogger2268125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-58958525278421402502024-03-28T21:56:00.000-07:002024-03-28T22:23:30.615-07:00<p> Out of nowhere, CDFW has decided to close commercial Dungeness and recreational traps! See the following:</p><h1 align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 25px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0.67em 0px 10px;">CDFW Closes Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery and Restricts Recreational Crab Traps in the Central Management Area, Limits Commercial Fishing to inside 30-Fathoms in Northern Management Area to Protect Whales from Entanglement</h1><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has assessed entanglement risk under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP) and <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIyMTQyNCZJbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1NDkxODEifQ.W2iHHv-t-Ili5qntiGsTqR7ptXyfBnJCIZ4F49dbMTs/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l&source=gmail&ust=1711772071242000&usg=AOvVaw1JahAQMBx7AiSljtHpTwvM" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIyMTQyNCZJbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1NDkxODEifQ.W2iHHv-t-Ili5qntiGsTqR7ptXyfBnJCIZ4F49dbMTs/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">announced changes to both commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries</a>. Aerial and vessel surveys conducted in mid-March show humpback whale numbers are increasing as they return to forage off the coast of California, elevating entanglement risk. To minimize this risk for humpback whales, changes to the Dungeness crab fisheries, as detailed below, will be effective at 6:00 p.m. on April 8, 2024.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">The commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the U.S./Mexico border) will be closed, at which time the commercial take and possession of Dungeness crab from those waters is prohibited.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">A 30-fathom depth constraint will be in effect for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 (Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the Oregon border). Traps used by the commercial fishery in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 will be prohibited in waters seaward of the 30-fathom contour as defined in <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmVjZnIuZ292L2N1cnJlbnQvdGl0bGUtNTAvY2hhcHRlci1WSS9wYXJ0LTY2MC9zdWJwYXJ0LUMvc2VjdGlvbi02NjAuNzE_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDMyOC45MjU0OTE4MSJ9.9SclQf_UQF75GMyHjprkvROeKDXUpU8zm_-VWzV7kN0/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l&source=gmail&ust=1711772071242000&usg=AOvVaw3CvzoUG6UbtX4NFOBeqeLL" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmVjZnIuZ292L2N1cnJlbnQvdGl0bGUtNTAvY2hhcHRlci1WSS9wYXJ0LTY2MC9zdWJwYXJ0LUMvc2VjdGlvbi02NjAuNzE_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDMyOC45MjU0OTE4MSJ9.9SclQf_UQF75GMyHjprkvROeKDXUpU8zm_-VWzV7kN0/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">Title 50 of the Federal Codes of Regulations, Part 660, Section 660.71</a>. As a reminder all vessels must also carry onboard an <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTE4NTA3NCZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1NDkxODEifQ.mZebsRWZ4oTEPwilbwj41QoiS35uSGwKhTD0XeVm128/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l&source=gmail&ust=1711772071242000&usg=AOvVaw2jhPkWRwBbcyfozozjn38O" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTE4NTA3NCZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1NDkxODEifQ.mZebsRWZ4oTEPwilbwj41QoiS35uSGwKhTD0XeVm128/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">electronic monitoring system</a> capable of recording the vessel’s location while engaged in fishing activity.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">A recreational crab trap prohibition is being implemented in Fishing Zones 3, 4 and 5 (Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Point Conception). CDFW reminds recreational crabbers that take of Dungeness crab by other methods (including hoop nets and crab snares) is allowed through the close of the season.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">All open Fishing Zones remain under a Fleet Advisory for both the commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries. In addition, CDFW reminds all fishery participants to implement best practices, as described in the <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIxNjYzOCZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1NDkxODEifQ.iNFE2rSUmri81a_33JCEkdjtTk0obsIAFJZ7V1mSzVk/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l&source=gmail&ust=1711772071242000&usg=AOvVaw2ny3MbhKCXa4HZrCEbDHbz" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIxNjYzOCZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1NDkxODEifQ.iNFE2rSUmri81a_33JCEkdjtTk0obsIAFJZ7V1mSzVk/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">Best Practices Guide</a>, and to anticipate additional management measures in the coming weeks.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">Under <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L05vdGljZXMvUmVndWxhdGlvbnMvR2Vhci1SZXRyaWV2YWwtRXhwYW5zaW9uP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1NDkxODEifQ.MZS_GvrSHUH0T0wnBLIp2VwYhqohHLNMha_SHukZ1x0/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l&source=gmail&ust=1711772071242000&usg=AOvVaw1LrWXKc5VtdIRtSabxBbhD" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L05vdGljZXMvUmVndWxhdGlvbnMvR2Vhci1SZXRyaWV2YWwtRXhwYW5zaW9uP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1NDkxODEifQ.MZS_GvrSHUH0T0wnBLIp2VwYhqohHLNMha_SHukZ1x0/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">emergency regulations</a> approved in early March, CDFW has also authorized commercial Dungeness crab vessels to retrieve an unlimited number of commercial Dungeness crab traps which are lost, damaged, abandoned or otherwise derelict in Fishing Zones 3 through 6 starting at 6:00 a.m. on April 15, 2024. CDFW requests that individuals operating under the emergency regulations regularly report retrieved gear to <a href="mailto:WhaleSafeFisheries@wildlife.ca.gov" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">WhaleSafeFisheries@wildlife.<wbr></wbr>ca.gov</a>. Any vessel operating or transiting in an open Fishing Zone may not possess more than six traps belonging to another vessel, pursuant to Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Section 132.2(a)(2)(A).</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place in mid-April 2024. For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LndpbGRsaWZlLmNhLmdvdi9Db25zZXJ2YXRpb24vTWFyaW5lL1doYWxlLVNhZmUtRmlzaGVyaWVzP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1NDkxODEifQ.ASdPrF9AKLvpHTYMh_akdfKzRfifGuSvkCpQxYzByXw/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l&source=gmail&ust=1711772071242000&usg=AOvVaw2mZw_8GLbKGfrHpc7f_3v0" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LndpbGRsaWZlLmNhLmdvdi9Db25zZXJ2YXRpb24vTWFyaW5lL1doYWxlLVNhZmUtRmlzaGVyaWVzP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1NDkxODEifQ.ASdPrF9AKLvpHTYMh_akdfKzRfifGuSvkCpQxYzByXw/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page</a>. For more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cud2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L2NyYWI_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDMyOC45MjU0OTE4MSJ9.xrcDeSNZd2SIUjp3BHqBve4GTgRE2oFwviZiTjAd9Fg/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l&source=gmail&ust=1711772071242000&usg=AOvVaw3rMEKULyCAut49nKoVNi4B" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cud2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L2NyYWI_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDMyOC45MjU0OTE4MSJ9.xrcDeSNZd2SIUjp3BHqBve4GTgRE2oFwviZiTjAd9Fg/s/2939960791/br/239805067253-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">wildlife.ca.gov/crab</a>.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"> Who'd a thunk? So, recreational traps and commercial, well, everything, is over at 6:00 PM on April 8. Notice that the CDFW is now allowing, well, encouraging, the retrieval of old pots that have been lost or otherwise abandoned. Thank you. Let's get the leftovers out and minimize the points against all crabbers. And save the whales. We can do both! I would have a bounty where, post season, any trap you find and bring back is worth $20 to the guy that lost it, or you get to keep it. That may come, but not for a while. Another decision was made, too:</p><h1 align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 25px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0.67em 0px 10px;"><strong>California Fish and Game Commission Adopts 2024 Groundfish Regulations</strong></h1><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">Yesterday, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) unanimously approved changes to the 2024 groundfish season opening dates, fishing depths and bag limits. In 2023, most groundfish seasons offshore of California were cut due to exceeding federal catch limits on quillback rockfish, a now federally-declared overfished species. The new changes provide additional fishing opportunities compared to 2023, but come with new requirements that anglers need to be aware of. The new regulations are anticipated to be effective in early April.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">The measures adopted by the Commission will work in combination with regulations for federal waters and serve to largely avoid quillback rockfish in their primary depth range between 20 fathoms (120 feet) and 50 fathoms (300 feet) off the coast of northern and central California. One key element of the new regulations is the availability of new waypoints that define a <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L0NvbnNlcnZhdGlvbi9NYXJpbmUvR3JvdW5kZmlzaD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkjMjg3MjAxMzAxLTIwLWZtLWxpbmUiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMzI4LjkyNTI5NjAxIn0.MCZ_v0e532iYi9VQ9Ew7_L6S58P6SrcMAmrk7RnKv10/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l&source=gmail&ust=1711771831177000&usg=AOvVaw0qyNIA2bgyaSL38TBdpPQA" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L0NvbnNlcnZhdGlvbi9NYXJpbmUvR3JvdW5kZmlzaD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkjMjg3MjAxMzAxLTIwLWZtLWxpbmUiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMzI4LjkyNTI5NjAxIn0.MCZ_v0e532iYi9VQ9Ew7_L6S58P6SrcMAmrk7RnKv10/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">20-fathom boundary line</a>, which allows fishing to occur only shoreward of this line. Within several groundfish management areas (GMAs), a 20-fathom or 50-fathom ‘Inshore Fishery’ will take place during the 2024 season, allowing opportunities to retain <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTM2MzA1JmlubGluZT0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDMyOC45MjUyOTYwMSJ9.Yg1BAOBT_yCa_mYRRPhQauktj0W7E4OfwzkOSttxwBw/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l&source=gmail&ust=1711771831177000&usg=AOvVaw3Kv6-NqaSNpjpd-G5hcuVy" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTM2MzA1JmlubGluZT0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDMyOC45MjUyOTYwMSJ9.Yg1BAOBT_yCa_mYRRPhQauktj0W7E4OfwzkOSttxwBw/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">nearshore</a>, shelf and slope rockfish, lingcod, cabezon and greenling.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">Alternatively, during months when there is an ‘offshore only fishery’, fishing for groundfish will only be allowed seaward of the 50-fathom boundary line, and only <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTM2NTUyJmlubGluZT0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDMyOC45MjUyOTYwMSJ9.Gpsdz9eJouN5MugZZCYz18zmIdieqLZTxPUy6xHkzGo/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l&source=gmail&ust=1711771831177000&usg=AOvVaw1Gf66vg5CMP4z86IPL9h0f" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTM2NTUyJmlubGluZT0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDMyOC45MjUyOTYwMSJ9.Gpsdz9eJouN5MugZZCYz18zmIdieqLZTxPUy6xHkzGo/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">shelf rockfish</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTM2NTUzJmlubGluZT0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDMyOC45MjUyOTYwMSJ9.eksuuWBdHFJmb7kQ9Ar2X3WgmobNWzxYMLv3sA3Yyh0/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l&source=gmail&ust=1711771831177000&usg=AOvVaw2ngriDZ6xkWjXFph1pDl1E" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTM2NTUzJmlubGluZT0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDMyOC45MjUyOTYwMSJ9.eksuuWBdHFJmb7kQ9Ar2X3WgmobNWzxYMLv3sA3Yyh0/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">slope rockfish</a> and lingcod may be retained. Take and possession of nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenling are prohibited during the offshore fishery.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">Divers and shore-based anglers will continue to be exempt from boat-based season restrictions affecting rockfish and other federally managed groundfish, which allows for year-round diving and shore-based angling, in line with current regulations.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">The Commission also approved a requirement that a descending device be carried aboard and available for immediate use on any vessel taking or possessing any species of federal groundfish. Descending devices are used to send fish back to the depth from which they were taken resulting in considerably higher survival rates for rockfish suffering <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L0NvbnNlcnZhdGlvbi9NYXJpbmUvR3JvdW5kZmlzaC9CYXJvdHJhdW1hP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1Mjk2MDEifQ.P1ugdM27yZzMsyMC5U9OwP_wyPPhx62wcY9Lkbh961w/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l&source=gmail&ust=1711771831177000&usg=AOvVaw2Yk5ucI24gdOL6XeiXIjYj" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L0NvbnNlcnZhdGlvbi9NYXJpbmUvR3JvdW5kZmlzaC9CYXJvdHJhdW1hP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1Mjk2MDEifQ.P1ugdM27yZzMsyMC5U9OwP_wyPPhx62wcY9Lkbh961w/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">barotrauma</a> compared to being released at the water's surface. Members of the public, along with representatives of recreational fishing organizations, have recently advocated for a descending device requirement in order to improve survivorship of released fish.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">Another key element of the new regulations is the division of the central GMA at 36º N. latitude (near Point Lopez). This split provides opportunities to anglers in areas south of 36º N. latitude which historically have little to no catch of quillback rockfish.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">To protect vermilion rockfish, another species for which catches have exceeded allowable federal harvest limits in recent years, the sub-limit will be reduced to two fish within the Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenling complex 10-fish limit, in the Mendocino, San Francisco, central and southern GMAs. The vermilion rockfish 4-fish sub-limit will remain for the northern GMA.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">All recreational GMAs in California are scheduled for six months of all-depth or inshore fishing opportunity in 2024. A summary of the 2024 seasons for each GMA approved by the Commission is provided below.</p><ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-left: 15px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><strong>Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco and Central GMA North of 36º N. Latitude</strong>:</li><ul style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-left: 15px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Jan. 1- Mar. 31:<em> Closed</em></li><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Apr. 1 – Apr. 30: <strong>50 fathoms offshore only fishery</strong></li><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">May 1 – Sept. 30: <strong>20 fathoms inshore fishery</strong></li><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Oct. 1 – Oct. 31: <strong>50 fathoms offshore only fishery</strong></li><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Nov. 1 – Nov. 30: <strong>20 fathoms inshore only fishery</strong></li><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Dec. 1 – Dec. 31: <strong>50 fathoms offshore only fishery</strong></li></ul></ul><ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-left: 15px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><strong>Central GMA South of 36º N. Latitude & Southern Management Area:</strong></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-left: 15px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Jan. 1 – Mar. 31:<em> Closed</em></li><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Apr. 1 – June 30: <strong>All depth fishery</strong></li><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">July 1 – Sept. 30: <strong>50 fathoms inshore fishery</strong></li><li style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Oct. 1 – Dec. 31: <strong>50 fathoms offshore only fishery</strong></li></ul></ul><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">The 2024 groundfish seasons are expected to be reviewed and approved by the Office of Administrative Law and take effect in state waters in early April. The Commission and California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff have worked diligently to expedite the adoption of state regulations to allow boat-based anglers to get on the water beginning in April. Until the 2024 regulations are approved, the 2023 regulations remain in effect.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">Once the regulations become effective, CDFW’s <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L0Zpc2hpbmcvT2NlYW4vUmVndWxhdGlvbnMvR3JvdW5kZmlzaC1TdW1tYXJ5P3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1Mjk2MDEifQ.7JUtYJ_Gd4EaGzKpLnliSrbJEgIUXQN3lKdKTMEq2IU/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l&source=gmail&ust=1711771831177000&usg=AOvVaw0iQJizO1owMtrIgtMIvXJg" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L0Zpc2hpbmcvT2NlYW4vUmVndWxhdGlvbnMvR3JvdW5kZmlzaC1TdW1tYXJ5P3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAzMjguOTI1Mjk2MDEifQ.7JUtYJ_Gd4EaGzKpLnliSrbJEgIUXQN3lKdKTMEq2IU/s/2939960791/br/239778651003-l" rel="noopener" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations</a> web page will be updated with 2024 regulations. Before fishing, anglers should refer to this web page for the season openings and other regulatory information.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"> So, you can fish for rockfish outside of the 50 fathom line starting Monday. There may be as many as eight days during April that you actually can. That's allowing for El Nino "less wind in the spring" conditions. Normally it would be two days, maybe. But if it lines up with my day off those yellowtail and widows are screwed. Well, 20 to 30 of them will be. But, after a run through the Eddie Kim batter and a session in the hot oil, there almost couldn't be a higher calling. That fried fish (especially the stuff that's still twitching a bit) is so good. You know how to tell if it's bad for you? "Does it taste good?" Winner. IMHO, it's the highest form of approval. And I approve.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-73563932633631919592024-03-26T23:04:00.000-07:002024-03-26T23:04:05.773-07:00<p> It should come as no surprise that, as April approaches, so does the closure of commercial crab and recreational traps. It seems that there's a few humpbacks showing up, as they tend to do this time of year, and numbers are expected to grow as the year progresses. The CDFW staff's suggestion is to close commercial Dungeness and close recreational traps in our area. Many commercial fishermen have already started hauling gear ashore as the catching slows and whale time approaches. The watermen were expecting it. It's not official yet, but I think we'll see a decision by the end of the week with a closure a week to 10 days after. So, if you haven't used your traps yet this season, don't wait. </p><p> The crabbing inside the bay has been mostly slow or worse, but a few people are doing well. Last weekend a boat came back with 14 Dungeness after only two hours in the water. Today a boat had 24 Dungies in no more than three hours of crabbing inside the bay. It appears that there's a few around in the right spots, but those spots aren't being shared with me. Probably a good idea on their part. But there's a chance at doing well. just not a good one.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-56315978276183151212024-03-21T23:12:00.000-07:002024-03-21T23:12:20.478-07:00<p> Curly DiBella sent me a text this afternoon. Finally, a fishing report! And what a report:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvCJdLpms8tCF8LCwqQGg3khLWTnmDZUqtV71oqHf0jgbj4MOlHgGbi5oox48c3qVRDrb0Q43k7NBNDa7GHaA1NDsNr2pdPFAQ-sk9fxyI0g2gLkJcEWHaolwDjSAQMnbtGAcGed1n7nSkO0YrYBWY5MReXaYYMP68acxraBnlBkAQ_1w_LUqmdl8OqM/s960/IMG_5573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvCJdLpms8tCF8LCwqQGg3khLWTnmDZUqtV71oqHf0jgbj4MOlHgGbi5oox48c3qVRDrb0Q43k7NBNDa7GHaA1NDsNr2pdPFAQ-sk9fxyI0g2gLkJcEWHaolwDjSAQMnbtGAcGed1n7nSkO0YrYBWY5MReXaYYMP68acxraBnlBkAQ_1w_LUqmdl8OqM/s320/IMG_5573.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Curly writes, "Two today 73 inches and 50 inches the one that was 73 inches weighed 228 pounds that is Kevin Kraft the angler that muscle them in out by half Moon Bay bouy Missing you and the boys send my love" Thank you, Curly. Love sent. I looked at Coastside this evening and found that Mr. Kraft was with Tony on the <i>Reel Estate</i> and they caught this near the Farallones. There was only one caught, but it measured 73 by 50 inches which by math puts it at 228 pounds. Damn. The fish pulled line at 40 pounds of drag, and it did as lot of pulling. The <i>Tanker City</i> out of SF also caught one today. They never left, just the fishermen did, it seems. Nice work gentlemen. </div></blockquote><p> It is time to revise the MPAs and more areas are being suggested to close or otherwise restrict fishing access. I also received this email today in regards to it: "<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I couldn't help but think that you might be able to help get the word out about potential changes to our state's SMCA's and a lobby attempting to petition to change them into to no-take SMCA's or MPAs where fishing would be prohibited. </span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) has a solid writeup of what is at stake and has shared a video that they put together to help drive home the point. There is a petition at the end of this link to the BHA writeup and I would truly appreciate it if you could share it to help get signatures so that sport anglers are heard. If there is a petition to close fishing floating around then we need as many signatures as we can get to this petition in favor of maintaining public fishing access!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thanks so much in advance!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Link here: </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.backcountryhunters.org/sweeping_fishing_closures_threaten_conservation_in_california?utm_campaign%3Dca_bha_2024_q1_newsletter%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dbackcountryhunters%23/396/thankyou&source=gmail&ust=1711171347312000&usg=AOvVaw2UZi2GxZ1gzOGMP4ENjXux" href="https://www.backcountryhunters.org/sweeping_fishing_closures_threaten_conservation_in_california?utm_campaign=ca_bha_2024_q1_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=backcountryhunters#/396/thankyou" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>backcountryhunters.org/<wbr></wbr>sweeping_fishing_closures_<wbr></wbr>threaten_conservation_in_<wbr></wbr>california?utm_campaign=ca_<wbr></wbr>bha_2024_q1_newsletter&utm_<wbr></wbr>medium=email&utm_source=<wbr></wbr>backcountryhunters#/396/<wbr></wbr>thankyou</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kevin </div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">aka Catch N Cook California on YouTube</span>" Thanks for the info Kevin. Everybody should check out the link. </p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-22482238412303155362024-03-18T23:03:00.000-07:002024-03-18T23:03:28.139-07:00<p> On the last post, <i>Harvest Time</i> commented that without an offshore rockfish season, nobody would be out deep to find the bluefin, should they exist. It turns out that the bluefin are still out there, as a confirmed BFT was landed, I believe out of Half Moon Bay yesterday. The water outside ain't toasty but it's mostly warmer than the 53º water that we saw hundreds (thousands?) of bluefin feeding in around the full moon in October last year. Commercial crabbers had been saying they'd seen sign out deep all year, off and on, and incredibly, fishing advice from seasoned veterans turned out to be true. Who'da thunk? Please, <i>Harvest Time</i>, hurry and comment on salmon season to make it happen, too! </p><p> For crabbing here, the story is the same. Very slow. A gentleman yesterday said he tried outside for a while and caught nothing, then came inside the bay and worked hard, I think inside past Hog, for a grand total of 10 Dungeness. Compared to other reports I heard, well done, sir. I heard a rumor that the commercial guys were getting a few in super shallow off of Dillon Beach. The last few days you could see a hundred buoys bobbing near the surf. From the reports I heard from sport guys, no crab for them there, but it appears that there once were a few (or stories of a few). </p><p> Halibut have yet to start here but are starting to show in San Francisco Bay. Generally, that means we could see a few in six to eight weeks. Also generally, the bite should start near Inverness and work its way forward as the water warms. But, we are still in El Nino, and the rules aren't quite solid. The spring winds haven't hit yet, and may not, as El Nino springs are often wetter but less windy, here. El Nino can make halibut fishing awesome, or crappy, or average, so no prediction for this season from me, other than it will be one of those three things. </p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-5933818473819765642024-03-13T22:45:00.000-07:002024-03-13T22:54:24.603-07:00<p> So, I guess that while I'm whining about salmon it would only be appropriate to whine about rockfish season. Or not. Or, maybe. How about, it depends on what you want? Here's the PFMC regs, which will soon become ours, after CDFW adopts them:</p><p> April 1:-30 >50fms This means the season is open deeper than the 50 fathom line as defined by a set of waypoints in the Federal Register</p><p> May 1 -September 30 <20 fms This means the season is open shallower than the 20 fathom line as defined by a set of waypoints. Check with CDFW.</p><p> October 1-31 >fms We discussed this.</p><p> November 1-30 <20 fms Also discussed.</p><p> December 1-31 >50 fms Just deep. If you can get there.</p><p> So, these aren't official until the CDFW or CFGC make it so, but when they do, cool. Maybe don't go fishing on April 1 if the state regulations haven't changed yet. Chances ain't good for an offshore trip at any time in April, but who knows? I am old enough to remember some nice days in April before. Not a lot, but it can happen. If you have a deep water boat, be ready. Have deep water buddies ready, too. Those deep water fish taste better when they're shared. And fried. Man, when they're still twitching when they go in the oil? I almost don't care about salmon. Almost. But the season should actually last for the whole season this year, as opposed to what happened last year. Avoid Quillback, however one does that. I think we have landed about two in the last 30 years, and I am probably exaggerating our catch (I'm a fisherman). So I really don't know how to catch less, I just do it. If I figure it out, I'll let you know. BUT, if you want to fish for rockfish you will have to have a descending device. The type is not specified, so anything descender goes, but if you're going deep you should probably have a<a href="https://seaqualizer.com/product/seaqualizer-descending-device/" target="_blank"> SeaQualizer</a> to attach to your downrigger. They work great. If you're in shallow water a Shelton's will work. Technically, a Sheltons Fish Descender qualifies you legally to fish any depth, and we will be selling the Shelton's, but if you are planning on going deep (during the short time you can, but damn, it is so good) get the SeaQualizer. I got one last year and used it each trip. It may not keep the fish from dying from barotrauma but it will keep you from getting a ticket and let the fish die where you won't see it. If you don't see it, it didn't happen, right? Right. Let the good times roll. And the fryer. </p><p> Also, almost forgot, everything I learned about these seasons I read about on <a href="https://coastsidefishingclub.com/" target="_blank">Coastside Fishing</a> Club. It costs a bit, I think $20 a year. $40? I'm not sure, and I don't care. Worth it. You're basically paying for server time and getting representation in committees as well. Plus they know things. I would not have landed a bluefin if I hadn't been reading their info. </p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-54535566887724476442024-03-11T23:32:00.000-07:002024-03-11T23:32:25.901-07:00<p> The PFMC meeting is over, but not before another change to the options for salmon. As contentious as salmon is, the options will likely change again (and then again) before a decision is made. But if you're making plans for this summer, here's the best, current info:</p><p>Option 1: June 5-9, July 3-7, August 1-6, September 1-3, 27-29, October 18-20. There will be a maximum harvest limit of 10,000 salmon during June through August, and 5,000 salmon from September and October. </p><p>Option 2: July 4-7. August 1-4, 29-31. Maximum harvest of 6,500 salmon.</p><p>Option 3: Pound sand</p><p> Please note that in the non-sand-pounding options, quotas for maximum take will be in effect. If fishing is good, the season will close early. Option 1, if fishing is good in Santa Cruz and Monterey in that early season open, as it often is, well, forget August when the fishing would be best here. September ain't the best, but trying is better than not fishing. But, hey, that's only if the "best case" option gets chosen. Option 2 seems like a proper compromise, where everybody is unhappy. My guess is still that we something 2-ish. </p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-88192835583530637922024-03-10T22:28:00.000-07:002024-03-10T22:28:41.918-07:00<p> No new crab or surfperch stories, but the salmon season options have changed. They will likely change again, at least slightly, before the adoption of one of the options. Contentious is the proper descriptive word. The options:</p><p>June 6-9, July 3-7, August 1-4, 29-31, September 1 to October 15</p><p>or</p><p>July 4-7, August 1-4, 29-31</p><p>or</p><p>pound sand.</p><p>My opinion? I think that sand should be pounded. That opinion is unpopular, and the CDFW and PFMC are aware of that. so there's pressure to allow some fishing, hence the two out of three options having fishing. IMHO, we're getting a season. But not much of one. Chances are best for something resembling option 2, the 11 day season option, or something resembling it. NOTE: If an open season is chosen, there is a likelihood of a quota being in place, A probability, actually. So don't count on the later dates. My guess is that there will be a lot of pressure. I will be fishing , given the option. If I'm going to get blamed for not enough salmon returning this fall, I'm going to earn it. Head held high and acknowledging it. Yup. Freezer full of extermination. Or, at least, attempted extermination. Just doing my part.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-75840799653653562262024-03-09T22:54:00.000-08:002024-03-09T22:54:37.666-08:00<p> The low tides have a few folks out digging clams and that's going pretty well. The clams can't really go anywhere The crab have other options, and right now they're mostly in the middle of "the clutch", when they're more interested in things other than your bait. At least one boat today broke the law of crab sex and caught a limit of Dungeness in the bay in a few hours around the top of the tide. It can be done, but probably not by you or me. But maybe...Nah, who am I trying to kid. Maybe you. Crab really isn't my game.</p><p> So, the salmon season alternatives for here, as of this evening, vary from crappy to no season at all. Best case to worst, depending on what you want:</p><p>May 25-28, July 4-7, August 29-31, September 1 to October 15</p><p>or...</p><p>July 4 to 10</p><p>or...</p><p>pound sand.</p><p> So, your options are either to try to go fishing on holiday weekends with literally everybody else (ignoring weather; just GO!) or not fish. My brother had an indelicate expression (actually, he had many of them; here's one)' "It's like a sh*t sandwich, and everyone's invited." I didn't really get it at the time, just wrote it off to the Kessler flu he was suffering, as it were, but I think I'm starting to understand it in a different way now. Some future video:</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cMNH4nmOims?si=FU3I6cquPZZWIS1U" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t75zFhFn8TU?si=sNeL2hQl0b-8Qni5" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-57031746417072960282024-03-06T22:22:00.000-08:002024-03-06T22:22:28.270-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWt-986TMBJfPxlfYX372IOasDSxoH5Itwjj-8TQEaNDKhcZzXUvh-Ky64LQFS3zGhxesIxLZVLMP7prNz0zhkQCyuF3fdzFNQrAWQFulmisHbIwTY3y73JGDblR7NyD6BcomwU2y3BHLnGzwv_UTXIap4rVT4upOg5txlxaqF_cAU-AVp-ulirfHpms/s2048/731439359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWt-986TMBJfPxlfYX372IOasDSxoH5Itwjj-8TQEaNDKhcZzXUvh-Ky64LQFS3zGhxesIxLZVLMP7prNz0zhkQCyuF3fdzFNQrAWQFulmisHbIwTY3y73JGDblR7NyD6BcomwU2y3BHLnGzwv_UTXIap4rVT4upOg5txlxaqF_cAU-AVp-ulirfHpms/s320/731439359.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> I'm not going to subject you to all three of the "hand and perch" photos I received today, but just know that there's some surfperch out there. Gage fished to outgoing this morning, so the fact that he caught anything is a pretty good indicator that there's some fish out there. December's big surf did a pretty good job of erasing all the structure and, really, any reason for a fish to close enough to shore for us to catch it. Since then, the beach has been trying to rebuild. Storms have slowed it, but the beach persists. And apparently, so do the surfperch. It ain't wide open, but judging by the number of bites (that mostly didn't stick) that Gage had, there's probably a lot of small ones out there. Gear up accordingly, or wait for growth. <p></p><p> Crabwise, well, things are slow. We had a guy recently that spent his day working traps inside the bay for a grand total of two Dungeness. As he was pulling the boat out he saw a crab snare guy landing a double of legal crabs. After the boat dropped off he went over to the snare guy and asked him, how many others? The snare guy said, none. Only keepers of the day. The moral of the story is, when fishing or crabbing, the important thing is less about how many you catch but more about how many other people see you catch. Extra points to the fellow that. while only tying with him, made a boater feel like he wasted his time. I know, as I was told by an old fisherman, "it's not a competition, unless you're winning." Snarer +1. Also, I wish I was winning. Maybe next time. As far as crab in general, it kinda sucks all over as this is the tail end of what the commercial guys call "the clutch", that special time when a boy crabs and girl crabs decide food isn't as important as as making the next generation of crabs. And God love 'em for it. Except for when you're trying to catch them. It only gets better from here.</p><p> So, everybody (with boats, or with friends with boats) is wondering about salmon and rockfish seasons this year. Both are TBD. Salmon returned in numbers slightly more than anticipated, so there's a slightly better than no chance of a salmon season this year. There may be no season, but chances of a season this year are slightly better than zero. SLIGHTLY BETTER. Chances are we'll be, yet again, pulling barbed hooks from numerous anadromous fish's jaws. But maybe not, for a damn short time. Also, for rockfish, our seasons are also yet to be determined by the PFMC and the CDFW. From the tiny bit I've heard, it may be dramatically broken up between shallow (<120') and deep (>300') on a month-by-month basis. It is still TBD, but expect confusion. Hey, good news! There's still a place for for tackle shops ."What's the rules today?" "What day is it?" We have good calendars.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-19617776314130598952024-03-01T22:40:00.000-08:002024-03-01T22:40:53.836-08:00<p> So, salmon season 2024. What will it be? Well, it turns out that you may be able to determine that. I'm not going to tell you what I think, because what I think shouldn't influence your choice, in my opinion. So, that's my opinion. The Golden State Salmon Association got some info from the Oregon meeting yesterday. Here's some knowledge:"<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Fishery managers, in a </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://goldenstatesalmon.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D3eaf2a8b616b609786148ae17%26id%3D0715714e7b%26e%3D7a4d940470&source=gmail&ust=1709441965551000&usg=AOvVaw0ekoOGMkNpglN2wh7-vUTi" href="https://goldenstatesalmon.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3eaf2a8b616b609786148ae17&id=0715714e7b&e=7a4d940470" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1f52a5; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">presentation</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> given to the salmon industry in Oregon on February 28, forecasted 213,622 adult Sacramento Valley fall-run Chinook salmon in the ocean off the West Coast. This compares to 169,800 estimated in 2023 and 396,458 in 2022 at this time. The same information will be delivered to the California salmon industry on March 1 (see below for meeting details).</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">Normally, fishery managers allow fishing that will still deliver a minimum of 122,000 salmon to spawn in the Sacramento Basin. In recent years, they’ve increased that target number. In 2022, fishery managers limited fishing in order to see more than 180,000 fall run salmon return to spawn but less than 62,000 showed up. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">Two weeks ago, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) released its <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://goldenstatesalmon.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D3eaf2a8b616b609786148ae17%26id%3D5356007794%26e%3D7a4d940470&source=gmail&ust=1709441965552000&usg=AOvVaw0ahLrKEvItBNd8WL2hjb-M" href="https://goldenstatesalmon.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3eaf2a8b616b609786148ae17&id=5356007794&e=7a4d940470" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1f52a5;" target="_blank">review of the 2023 salmon fisheries</a> and reported a total of 133,638 (revised on February 28, 2024 to 139,500) hatchery and natural area adult spawning fall-run Chinook were estimated to have returned to the Sacramento Valley last year. The 2023 number of returning adult salmon fell short of pre-season expectations and continues to highlight the lack of returning salmon from 2020 and 2021 broodstocks–a direct result of state water management decisions that dramatically increased the impact of the drought. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">Salmon eggs faced overheated water because of the failure of the State Water Resources Control Board to adequately control temperature pollution from Shasta Dam. Lethally high temperatures in the Sacramento River were caused by excessive deliveries to the Bureau of Reclamation’s unsustainable industrial agricultural customers that allowed the draining of cold water from Shasta Dam prior to the spawning season. The few juvenile salmon that just happened to survive were then exposed to dangerously low flows during their outmigration down the Sacramento River, as well as through the Delta. Further, Governor Newsom waived the weak salmon flow standards that are currently in place, allowing conditions for salmon to be degraded further. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">In the month ahead, the PFMC will use the latest ocean abundance forecast to determine if there will be a 2024 season for both sport and commercial ocean salmon fishing. In April of 2023, the PFMC was forced to finalize the season’s closure due to low returns–a drastic step that affected and continues to negatively impact all of California’s marine and inland waters as well as ocean salmon fishing off most of the Oregon coast. </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">“This forecast will be used to determine whether or not salmon families in California and Oregon will be able to go to work, pay their mortgages and feed their families in 2024. Tens of thousands are still suffering from last year’s closed salmon fishing season,” said Scott Artis, executive director of Golden State Salmon Association. “The buck stops with Governor Newsom and his environmentally destructive and salmon fishery-decimating water policies. And as bad as this situation is, Governor Newsom is fighting to make life even harder for fishing families by building the massive Delta tunnel, Sites Reservoir and promoting the salmon killing and science-free water user ‘voluntary agreement’ proposal.”</p><p>" So, of the estimated 33,000 salmon, ocean sport fishermen will perhaps be allowed a portion. 33,000 fish on it's own isn't a decent season, and a portion of that is just sad. I have fished in sad conditions before, and as long as I don't have to make eye contact, well, all is good enough. It doesn't need to be good for me (but is sure as heck helps). Here's a link for your opinion, to someone it may influence : <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 36pt; text-align: center; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do you want an opportunity to fish for salmon in 2024? </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-179e3725-7fff-410b-00c6-e2dbda5b00bf"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.219511604309082; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36.37218475341797pt; margin-right: 28.49945068359375pt; margin-top: 1.32269287109375pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 36pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Then you MUST make your views known!! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.229506015777588; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9.4591064453125pt; margin-top: 17.16265869140625pt; text-indent: 0.1920013427734375pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Complete the survey put out by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Deadline Sunday March 3, 2024. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Say that you want an opportunity to fish </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">consistent with conservation </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">objectives.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1.636016845703125pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 241px; overflow: hidden; width: 241px;"><img height="241" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/KRaQBrwnSGvhSDhlgLfO8VJIWm2-4V8bVXM6KLOFlLR7SF2jM1VyntautktMyJTz0yvdmneXzLiO1XFPaSAwLON-5RputKpCpjjezhXTQRj_QFTRsQhSZPXB5F2VH53LelZmH6WBznlaxTYpSKl70E4" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="241" /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Speak up at the meeting. You must sign up in advance (starting on Wednesday, March 6). Input on salmon season options begins Thursday morning, March 7, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">agenda item C.2</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 240px; overflow: hidden; width: 240px;"><img height="240" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/sGU3zM9VOczSK1yggSrIbm_5jV1kNfhXkJubt-x2dcQu5Dixw3Ag9tdZ5uZOsrFR4u7tkuDPrzzK-V5ouegsyxNQG14aHdaEgtNEBBAtVRq0TUiz4VLSFgwTgq-W-MjVmeu5y5BhuxZDYvYoJzLy1wc" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="240" /></span></span></span><div><span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 240px; overflow: hidden; width: 240px;">Speak your truth but probably don't be a dick. I am of both sides. I miss salmon fishing (and eating) but I don't want to get blamed for their extinction. However, if I'm going to get the blame, I'm fishing, and fishing hard.</span></span></span></div>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-68461371063496354912024-02-19T22:17:00.000-08:002024-02-19T22:17:35.130-08:00<p> </p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vvh0cPaQsaw?si=-i3hBgRniwFvZwY7" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pEeIpk8oNHo?si=GoEDQ2h1FYhjqzUe" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div> So it is happening, even without anybody doing anything. Maybe because nobody is doing anything. Regardless, the <i>Aleutian Storm</i> is no more. Another small business in California is gone.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XRoF0gmSt3I?si=eiRx0DOc7_vMPMob" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div> It appears that the herring are finally coming in. San Francisco Bay has had a couple of smallish spawns but many herring fishermen there are still waiting for the big one. It's kind of late for herring, but the fish may not know that. Actually, the fish may have gotten tired of waiting for the right time and they're just coming because their 'nads are ripe. Either way, the birds say that the fish are here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjJ32-0imcgrJXhFRnt28JfSAysQGlLI7QqtOk-4UQeqnNCcEinkFCFehJY3cfOt0VENtTNSMdyonCxmo98BMH5aIlwBHrDCA27Z3_zECKczF6YwW9zdnkpDc-kKjqeHeyt8lNYOr-Kfn_tpTMXp_SdrZVtqD0nP0JJmTHdBAMbOeqgHeY7R0tdbdny4/s4032/20240219_161313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjJ32-0imcgrJXhFRnt28JfSAysQGlLI7QqtOk-4UQeqnNCcEinkFCFehJY3cfOt0VENtTNSMdyonCxmo98BMH5aIlwBHrDCA27Z3_zECKczF6YwW9zdnkpDc-kKjqeHeyt8lNYOr-Kfn_tpTMXp_SdrZVtqD0nP0JJmTHdBAMbOeqgHeY7R0tdbdny4/s320/20240219_161313.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> One of the effects of this winter's storms can be seen here. All of these rocks were buried last fall, and many of them were buried for the last couple of decades. We have lost about three feet or more of sand from the beach in front of the store. South winds wash it out. Soon, the spring winds will blow, maybe not as much some years with an El Nino going, but some wind for sure, and that wind (the wind that, if you've been here more than once you've probably experienced it) will make the beach build back up. I hate that wind, but dammit, I hope it hurries up. I look forward to a spring of hating life and building beaches. Summer is coming.</div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-27427598565192471982024-02-18T22:55:00.000-08:002024-02-18T22:55:29.405-08:00<p> Crabbing should be pretty slow now, as usually February is about as slow as crabbing gets. The crabs didn't get that memo this year, luckily, and so the crabbing has been pretty good, considering. That is, when the current in the bay isn't racing along and/or the bar lets you get out to the outer bay. And when the wind and rain give us a break. So, I guess I should say that sometimes it doesn't suck. But I've seen a few guys get limits and most boaters are getting a few Dungeness. A few of the shore snarers have been doing pretty well, too. </p><p> It appears that that commercial boat on Salmon Creek was unable to be hauled off. On the good day to do it a combination of factors conspired to keep it aground. It seems that it will be leaving in pieces instead. I hope the boat owner had good insurance, as only the homeless get their boat "situations" taken care of for free. I guess freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose. </p><p> The salmon return numbers are in and they are good and bad. Returns for the Upper Sacramento were abysmal. Returns to the Coleman Hatchery were also bad. Other rivers had good returns. Those other rivers also had hatcheries that trucked some of their smolts down to the bay. Coincidence? I think not! There's a good chance that some if not most of the fish that did return to the Upper Sacramento were trucked smolt strays. I honestly don't care. I'm not stuck on "natural" fish. If you take eggs from wild fish and spawn them they're still the same kind of fish. If you raise a human child in an orphanage that's still a human, right? Hey, it we can't manage our rivers well enough to allow the fish to spawn, maybe manufacturing fish is the only answer. What am I saying? Of course the <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/01/30/governor-newsom-launches-californias-salmon-strategy-for-a-hotter-drier-future/" target="_blank">Governor's new salmon plans</a> will make all the difference and there will magically be enough water for everybody! Yay! But back to this salmon season. The minimum magic number of returns is 122,000, and this year we had 133,638. There were almost 12,000 jacks, which are less than any time since at least 2010 (except last year's 6,945 and we know what that got us). Coleman wanted a minimum of 12,000 fish to return and they got 4,534. It's really up to the scientists and their complicated jack count math to predict numbers, but they don't look awesome from here. That said, in the past they have used both successful adult numbers or successful jack numbers to justify opening the season when the other numbers didn't seem to be good enough, so.... who knows? There may be short season just to let us fish enough for them to be able to blame us for overfishing when the numbers crap out next year. You know, give us enough rope to hang ourselves, as they say. And I'll be swinging right next to you. I've had a crick in my neck for while now. At least it will feel good for a little bit.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-71311833501886883512024-02-10T20:32:00.000-08:002024-02-10T20:50:02.923-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> So, the "half your gear" rule may have halved the risk for whales but it has doubled the work a commercial fisherman must do to get the same money. Costs don't change much, but your ability to pay for them sure does. A string of pots that were producing well enough over a week but not in a day have to be moved, so running gear has changed to stacking and moving gear. Easily twice the effort but with no guarantee on the success. This leaves tired crews. One of these tired crews ended up aground at Salmon Creek beach last night. An effort to get the boat off of the beach today at high tide was apparently thwarted by environmental concerns that moving some sand with tractors would somehow be more detrimental to the environment than having the vessel break up. I heard a rumor of some ad-hoc shovel crew showing up tomorrow at sunrise to hand shovel around the boat. I hope it's true. When our government agencies act against rational thought, well, somebody out there with their heads not inside their rectums has to act rationally and for the environment. And heck, just do the right thing. Anybody with an argument for how moving some sand is worse than a boat busting open and dumping fiberglass fragments, oil and fuel on the beach, please feel free to tell us all. The sand comes and goes all the time. Petroleum takes a bit more time. Tell me I'm wrong. I love to learn. Or, I don't know, maybe shut up and dig.</div>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-43029588648679498912024-02-08T21:43:00.000-08:002024-02-08T21:44:38.743-08:00<p> I report as it happens, and there ain't much happening here but feeding generators and post-storm maintenance. Plenty of that, though. Actual fishing has been minimal and the catching has been even less. King tides now are preventing almost any catching of anything except for right around the turn of the tide when currents are slowest. Crabbing has been the only thing going, except for a few die hard clammers coming out for some of that special "dark meat" clams that we get right after a big rain and all of the poop washes off of the local ranches. It is better than the clams in front of places with a lot of homeless, but still, in my opinion, no gracias. This is the time of year when you want to have a few still in the freezer. Clams are filter feeders. I don't have to be one too. But they're too tasty, so some folks can't wait. I'm going to wait until sometime after the water turns from brown to green. </p><p> </p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-61902298914982481442024-01-26T21:57:00.000-08:002024-01-26T21:57:21.205-08:00<p> The commercial guys are catching some crab, never as many as they want, but hopefully what they need. From the little I've heard, the crab seem to be running either deep or stupid shallow. "Stupid shallow" is the definition of water so shallow that if you leave your pots there very long and the sea comes up, no more pots for you. Pots wash ashore, walk down the beach, and bury in the sand. Why, it's the very definition of crab ring water! For you dedicated ringers out there, it ain't over. For the crabbers in Tomales Bay, it has been slow. Mostly from really excessive tides with strong currents blowing out crabs and gear. The rainy weather has also kept a lot of crabbers home. That's crazy to me, as they could have come out here and got soaked and cold and maybe caught a crab or two. Well, this weekend looks like great weather inside the bay, and outside should be good tomorrow. The tides kind of suck for crabbing unless you concentrate your crabbing around the turn of the tides. If the water is moving fast, don't drop your gear. It's expensive to replace. In fishing news, there isn't any. Maybe a herring spawn next week. A few jacksmelt swimming by, getting ready to spawn. Pace yourselves. The season of catching is coming. Paint your house. Change your oil. Change the line on your reels. It's coming. Be ready and with less distractions. And maybe a better looking house.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-20550649075647964052024-01-17T21:52:00.000-08:002024-01-17T21:52:48.680-08:00<p> The extreme tides this last week have made for a lot of lost gear but not too many crab caught. Beach snarers are getting a few but seem to be doing better on the beers than on the crab. Closer to the sand point has been better for the crab. The point being farther from the restrooms likely makes it less good for beers, but I cannot confirm. Over the weekend I heard boat reports of 0 to 5 Dungeness inside the bay. Today I got a better report from the <i>Shrimp Boat</i>: "<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">12, probably 6 jumbos from 4 conicals with mostly squid. All near the main seal pull out. A funny detail is we were next to a boat that had all their traps in a really tight cluster, right at the confluence of the channels, I figured they were getting lots of crab since they weren't moving around at all. Finally they pulled their traps and we figured they had limits and were leaving. They passed us close enough for us to ask how they did and they said "been crabbing all morning not a single crab!" Then we felt good enough about our take to go to Nick's.</span>" The <i>Shrimp Boat</i> crew were soaking gear around the turn of the low tide when the current was slowest. Also, spreading the gear around a bit isn't a bad thing if you're not catching. Don't soak your gear where the crab aren't. Check your traps or rings often and move the ones that aren't catching. Also, this report lets us know that even though Nick's Cove had their shack on the end of the pier burn down a bit over a week ago, it appears that they will still welcome you if you visit from the water. </p><p> On a salmon note, I received this email today. I thought it couldn't hurt to pass it on: "</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" id="m_7001572894254641189m_7765244071294776357templateHeader" style="background-image: none; background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 600px !important; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="background-image: none; background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NaTTOW-LAVAzXk8Jggr05K4Xc9VFFfLSncnSxnmwmimtBVuzTf1OhAI-p1M1wnKDsY3pQCDqn-y3U5K6Bs4T6zm6ILNGwMqdWbJsKWfI-UUhAJNAsT73aHIN_vP2_HkQeayWQN3oVmQrCKfxKTdpgvvef6sj7dUsU4=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/3eaf2a8b616b609786148ae17/images/bc07773d-4e58-41ab-896b-95afd7cf21aa.png" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; height: auto; max-width: 1200px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="141" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td align="center" id="m_7001572894254641189m_7765244071294776357templateBody" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 54px; padding-top: 36px;" valign="top"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 600px !important; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="background-image: none; background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">We still need your help to fight for salmon families – contact the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) today! Right now, the SWRCB is accepting public comments on the Phase 2 Draft Bay-Delta Plan. The deadline is Friday, January 19, 2024. Many of you took action in November and December by testifying at the Water Board’s Bay-Delta Plan hearings and we can’t THANK you enough for your impactful statements. </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">As the only agency with legal authority to set flow and temperature protections for Fall-run Chinook, your voice matters and, in fact, it is critical that the SWRCB hears directly from you. Whether or not you’ve already provided public testimony, now’s your chance to take action for salmon, healthy rivers and everyone who relies on this fishery. We can’t let industrial agriculture secure more water diversions and determine the future of California’s salmon and salmon families.</p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong>Two Ways to Submit Your Comments (Deadline is January 19)</strong></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">Don’t delay as you can help GSSA restore critical salmon runs!</p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://goldenstatesalmon.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D3eaf2a8b616b609786148ae17%26id%3Da65c8ae60a%26e%3D7a4d940470&source=gmail&ust=1705640883328000&usg=AOvVaw2EB0ahyzzekftO2f3LDucs" href="https://goldenstatesalmon.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3eaf2a8b616b609786148ae17&id=a65c8ae60a&e=7a4d940470" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1f52a5;" target="_blank"><strong>Sign and Send a Letter to the Water Board</strong></a></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">Click <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://goldenstatesalmon.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D3eaf2a8b616b609786148ae17%26id%3Dcc48bda87f%26e%3D7a4d940470&source=gmail&ust=1705640883328000&usg=AOvVaw0VCFqBfAvgPAA_iZQFsojP" href="https://goldenstatesalmon.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3eaf2a8b616b609786148ae17&id=cc48bda87f&e=7a4d940470" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1f52a5;" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read, personalize with your own comments, and send a letter urging the SWRCB to adopt an unimpaired flow approach in the Bay-Delta Plan</p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong>Make a Greater Impact by Writing and Submitting <wbr></wbr>Your Own Comments by Email</strong></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">Tell the SWRCB why salmon are important to you, your business, culture or family, and that they must adopt an unimpaired flow approach to restore salmon. Send your comments directly to <a href="mailto:SacDeltaComments@waterboards.ca.gov" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">SacDeltaComments@waterboards.<wbr></wbr>ca.gov</a> with the subject line:<br />“Comment Letter – Sacramento/Delta Draft Staff Report”</p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p>"</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-70969450633835305002024-01-11T22:28:00.000-08:002024-01-13T19:46:44.936-08:00<p> CDFW says,"</p><h1 align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 25px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0.67em 0px 10px;">CDFW Opens Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery in the Central Management Area Under Trap Reduction and Lifts Recreational Crab Trap Restriction</h1><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will open the commercial Dungeness crab fishery from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the U.S./Mexico border (Central Management Area: Fishing Zones 3-6) under a 50 percent trap reduction beginning Jan. 18, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. with a 64-hour pre-soak to begin on Jan. 15, 2024, at 8 a.m. This management decision is a balanced approach that achieves two outcomes. First, this trap reduction will help reduce entanglement risk for humpback whales by reducing the amount of gear and vertical lines in the water. Second, the decision gets the commercial fishery open statewide.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">This management decision includes exhaustive coordination with affected fishers, businesses and environmental organizations. CDFW reached this decision after seeking feedback and input from the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group, during a meeting on Jan. 10, 2024. The working group expressed broad support for this management decision.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">Any commercial Dungeness crab vessel fishing in or transiting Fishing Zones 3-6, regardless of fishing location is subject to the 50 percent reduction. Additionally, they must have at least 50 percent of their valid buoy tags for the current fishing season onboard and available for inspection by CDFW at all times. Commercial Dungeness crab vessels operating in Fishing Zones 3-6 must understand and comply with the restrictions by reviewing the <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIxODYzNSZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAxMTEuODgzOTU2MTEifQ.-AnKx3aVCSbHclnrFA_i-e8vC6O71eBGZHeOygsJTsY/s/2939960791/br/234819492301-l&source=gmail&ust=1705125596039000&usg=AOvVaw3KSQE2KSfoAdodDBxgnZ0C" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIxODYzNSZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAxMTEuODgzOTU2MTEifQ.-AnKx3aVCSbHclnrFA_i-e8vC6O71eBGZHeOygsJTsY/s/2939960791/br/234819492301-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">CDFW Declaration</a>, which includes additional information about this gear reduction. The commercial fishery north of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line (Fishing Zones 1 and 2) opened on Jan. 5, 2024, under a fleet advisory and is not subject to any trap reductions.</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">CDFW is also lifting the temporary recreational crab trap restriction, beginning Jan. 12, 2024, at 8 a.m., from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Lopez Point, Monterey County (Fishing Zones 3 and 4). A fleet advisory remains in effect for both the commercial and recreational fishery for all Fishing Zones (1-6).</p><p align="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">“This has been an extremely challenging year for California’s commercial fishing industry,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Today’s action in the Central Management Area strikes a balance. It protects whales and turtles, and it gets people on the water allowing our hardworking commercial fishing fleet to provide fresh sustainable crab to California residents.”</p><p><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">CDFW encourages both the commercial and recreational crab fisheries to implement best practices, as described in the</span><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIxNjYzOCZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAxMTEuODgzOTU2MTEifQ.xbhDXRI3_ZSlqGHAmzDwu4Plg_LxBjvJtjxLC2KbJng/s/2939960791/br/234819492301-l&source=gmail&ust=1705125596039000&usg=AOvVaw3_pMMa_Go8soArak6ZEVbQ" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIxNjYzOCZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAxMTEuODgzOTU2MTEifQ.xbhDXRI3_ZSlqGHAmzDwu4Plg_LxBjvJtjxLC2KbJng/s/2939960791/br/234819492301-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">Best Practices Guide</a><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">and avoid setting any fishing gear in areas were whales or sea turtles are present.</span><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><strong style="font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In addition, the commercial fishery is encouraged to remain vigilant for lost or abandoned gear throughout the fishing season.</strong><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Permitted commercial Dungeness crab vessels are</span><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIwMjU0NSZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAxMTEuODgzOTU2MTEifQ.h0usbUFsyEfcTokmrZ-hMTDPprYRrdwwn5TtYgdvxGw/s/2939960791/br/234819492301-l&source=gmail&ust=1705125596039000&usg=AOvVaw28znYA8L-LSi0kgCksfc_i" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIwMjU0NSZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAxMTEuODgzOTU2MTEifQ.h0usbUFsyEfcTokmrZ-hMTDPprYRrdwwn5TtYgdvxGw/s/2939960791/br/234819492301-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">allowed to retrieve up to six derelict commercial Dungeness crab traps</a><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">per fishing trip</span><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><strong style="font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">pursuant to Section 132.2, Title 14, California Code of Regulations</strong><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">. Derelict fishing gear may also be reported through</span><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L0VuZm9yY2VtZW50L0NhbFRJUD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMTExLjg4Mzk1NjExIn0.7G0wUCXiH3Xk_elf-EDw7m0qnkzJ9MjKktGIiTtfYIo/s/2939960791/br/234819492301-l&source=gmail&ust=1705125596039000&usg=AOvVaw1YOar474aY0jrgC4OGYpeb" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L0VuZm9yY2VtZW50L0NhbFRJUD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMTExLjg4Mzk1NjExIn0.7G0wUCXiH3Xk_elf-EDw7m0qnkzJ9MjKktGIiTtfYIo/s/2939960791/br/234819492301-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0; font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">CalTIP</a><span face=""Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">.</span>" </p><p> So, tomorrow at 8:00 AM you can splash pots for sport purposes and the commercials get to drop half of their gear on Monday at 8:00 AM. Better late than never, right? So, soak 'em if you got 'em.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-23282725950047793482024-01-09T23:23:00.000-08:002024-01-09T23:23:40.267-08:00<p> So, the crab report for today? "No crab!" from the one guy that went out. He may have been a little extra angry, as he and his buddy gave up on crab at low tide (as they weren't catching anything) and switched to clams. They dug up 12 clams, put them in a bag, and came in. The warden was waiting and gave them a ticket, as clams need to be kept in separate containers for each clammer. Fair? I decline to comment. But the law was changed recently and does say a single container for each fisherman. Not that it makes it cool, it just makes it illegal. Remember, folks, "fair" and "legal" are different words and terms and spelled and spoken differently for a reason. They often have nothing to do with each other. Now, CDFW finally changed the the ruled to make licenses 365 day ones instead of calendar-year, in order to make fishing more accessible and sell more licenses. The fact that the regulations make legal fishing so complicated obviously couldn't be a reason why why people decline to fish. It's nice that they made an App, and you can click a map to sort of know what's up (not perfect, like the rules) but it's still kind of scary trying to figure out if fishing on a particular body of water on a certain day is legal. It could be simpler. But then again, if everybody did it we'd be overwhelmed. </p><p> So, on the crab front, it seems that CDFW is going to allow sport pots soon, as well as allowing commercial to open. Good for the commies, except they're limited to only 30% of their allotted gear. Remember, commercial crabbers have individual pot limits, and this year they get less than a third of that. It takes 300 crab pots to make ends meet? Okay, you get 90. Make it work. To be fair, they will. Not because they can so much as they will. Fishermen fish because they want to. They work at other jobs because they have to. Luckily for them, guys that want to work are still in demand, so finding a job outside of fishing isn't too hard. No commercial fisherman is afraid of hard work. They'd just rather fish. I think we can all sympathize. </p><p> Also, on a darker note, a petition to declare white sturgeon as endangered has been accepted by CDFW. Does any body want to bet on their decision? My guess is things will go bad. The legal things. Don't worry, they guys thinking dark things will be right, too. Nothing good comes from an endangered listing. I mean, not for fishermen, generally, as they are blamed for the failures of the fish, not the guys regulating the water the fish need to successfully spawn. "That's different." Or not. Some fish require a fresh water river to spawn. Salmon, sturgeon, striper. Two out of three down. If I was a striper (and read this report(small percentage of stripers)) I'd be worried. Just know that the powers that be have decided that agriculture is more important, especially the part that gets exported. Almonds, yeah! Salmon, f- off. It appears that sturgeon are also salmon, in the water wars. Gat ready, emotionally.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-64703928211947586302024-01-03T23:09:00.000-08:002024-01-03T23:09:30.029-08:00<p> Happy New Year, y'all. May your fishing adventures this year be almost as successful as you imagine them (Unfortunately, reality probably can't support all of our dreams all at once. But maybe almost?). Winter ocean weather has arrived with seas ranging in size from not bad to holy crap! Water temps offshore are still really warm but the next few days of offshore high pressure and spring-style winds may finally cool the water and send the anchovies, pelicans and whales to the south. If the forecast comes true, you may be using traps before the end of the month, and commercial crabbers may finally get a shot here. The huge seas we just experienced may have sent a good portion of the nearshore crab scurrying offshore to avoid the surge. The most recent reports that I have heard from nearshore have been bad. I'm sure that there's a few pockets of happiness out there and people will find them, but there's more water without crab than with. Good luck. The weather mostly sucks lately, so if you want to take your life in your hands to go try to catch crab that mostly aren't there, cool. You do you. Inside the bay, where the Cost Benefit Analysis is on your side (Hint: The benefit is minimal. Less chance of dying, though. Not no chance of dying, people do it successfully here pretty regular, but crossing the bar and even just being out on the ocean can be dangerous this year. I saw wave break in places that I hadn't seen break in a few years (I missed last year's big swell, but Gage told me it was HUGE.. This year I saw the swell. It may not have been bigger than last year, but it coincided with a king tide, and Damn! It was big and scary. I tasted my mortality just looking at them from the hill). That said, people are still catching in the bay, and a heard a few good stories about Dungeness off of the ocean front beach (at least pre-giant surf) from some fellows using a non-standard technique. As I haven't been cleared to say how they're doing it, just know that a couple of guys were getting limits off of the ocean front beach. The crab are there (or they were...) and snarers could catch them if they're still there. Or not. It's fishing.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-79931376957027003972023-12-28T22:29:00.000-08:002023-12-28T22:29:10.736-08:00<p> Big winds yesterday and huge swells today made crabbing difficult from a boat on this end of the bay. One large wave set broke all the way down the bar in the middle of the bay, about five feet high. Awesome. A bit scary if you were in one of the small boats crabbing very near there. Nor enough to make them quit, but enough to get their attention for sure. They may have had to unpucker their undergarments. I would have needed it. Breakers down the middle of a "protected" bay mean bad things are running amok. Pucker time. We ended up with a little water in the store (a gallon? Maybe?) because I didn't close the door fast enough when a surge came in. I figured it out for the next ones. Here's a slightly after photo of the beach:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBRky8xwV1t6shyphenhyphen9M1N_Z5OCecIg_Tvq_Uxwlmf8ck-AYIp_EyWbayX8NzWVTcaW20UDI46nZ7XnVUtX4WMrJSdAnFBzrquf-gsQAeewSN7HPXb4dpPngvZlmKQIS6UAzeaVNoCFY3CWAZfvEeMkddpD91a4IPOY5gKhiqFIZ0zXQWW95DY7Ap0a4NEc/s4032/20231228_113803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBRky8xwV1t6shyphenhyphen9M1N_Z5OCecIg_Tvq_Uxwlmf8ck-AYIp_EyWbayX8NzWVTcaW20UDI46nZ7XnVUtX4WMrJSdAnFBzrquf-gsQAeewSN7HPXb4dpPngvZlmKQIS6UAzeaVNoCFY3CWAZfvEeMkddpD91a4IPOY5gKhiqFIZ0zXQWW95DY7Ap0a4NEc/s320/20231228_113803.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> About an hour's work with rakes and a tractor cleared it up. Ready for tomorrow's tide! Blank canvas prepared. After watching the evening news, I have to say, not much here to see. We got off easy. This has happened here since well before I was born and it will continue. Life at the beach. Get ready for change. <div><br /></div><div> I was sent some video of a tiny boat with two guys aboard sinking while crabbing off of Doran Beach. A guy in a tiny inflatable saved them. I couldn't get the video to load, unfortunately, or I'd show you, too. Thank you, Steve Humphrey, but I couldn't get Blogger to load it. It was good, and I'm sorry for all of us. If you read this and you were one of the guys, lawsonslanding@gmail.com, please and let us know what happened. Anonymity is part of the package, especially if your info can help other people to make better decisions. Kudos, in that case.</div><div><br /></div><div> So, the weather has been rough. The crabbing, better, when you can actually crab. Shore snare guys were catching today. Not many, but some short action among the seaweed. And there was a lot of seaweed. I should bold "a lot" but I won't because I'm lazy. </div><div> In other news, crabbing inside Tomales Bay has been mostly meh. Outside, better, but Ten Mile has been better and outer bay, not so much. There's more happiness near Point Reyes, but the outer bay has had some quick limits for the lucky and good.. </div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-41313805697990544602023-12-25T23:16:00.000-08:002023-12-25T23:16:03.017-08:00<p> The big tides here now, the bad ones around the full moon, are making crabbing difficult. As the tides have increased the catch has decreased, for most. The ones that work their gear smartly around the tide changes (inside the bay) have done very well, but everyone around mid-tide have had a hard time. Getting out of the bay has been even harder with the big swell. Breakers suck.</p><p> Also, Merry Christmas! Or, happy whatever solstice holiday you prefer. May you all get the fishing gear that you've wished for, and may the fish act the way you dream of them while you use that new gear. Except that I catch one more.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-27342596979245083612023-12-20T22:14:00.000-08:002023-12-20T22:14:28.744-08:00<p> The CDFW has spoken, and commercial crab will open, but only above Point Arena and not until January 5. Here in Area 3, no commercial fishing and no traps yet. Maybe next month. We still have hundreds of pelicans feeding here and 57º+ water just offshore, so conditions now seem like there wight still be quite a bit of food out there, and whales, like any heavyset mammal, really like their food. They may not be leaving if there's still food on the table. But, all it takes is a few days of west wind and all bets are off. El Nino is pretty tough, but probably not as tough as our northwest wind. If the Nino dude lets it blow. I guess we'll find out later. </p><p> The crabbing inside Tomales Bay has been.....challenging, but I can't say it's bad. Most guys in boats are catching a few and some guys are still limiting out, mostly in the channel across from the Landing and south for a mile or so. Some jockeying around within that general area is necessary, and where a guy caught a bunch one day may not produce the next day. Fish have fins and crabs have legs, and they use them, but the crabs usually can't go quite as far as fast as the finned ones. Patience, calculated movement and good bait are the keys. Shore guys are getting a few with snares but going over limit really hasn't been a consideration. Outer bay inside the reef has been mostly slow with good spots. Outside of the reef is better, but deeper, and again, there's places <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs/Bodega-Head" target="_blank">you can't yet drop a net</a>. If you're not aware, click that link. </p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-15921129424683587312023-12-14T22:34:00.000-08:002023-12-14T22:34:25.798-08:00<p> Mixed reviews from inside Tomales Bay. A few guys have done very, very well, and many others have only scratched up a few Dungeness. My guess is that it means that the right bait in the right place at the right time, while always important, is even more so now. The guys that are catching are dropping nets very close to the guys that aren't, yet somehow their hoops have more crab. Squid and rockfish heads seem to be good, but the right spot is even more key. The bite has also been better around the turn of the tide, unsurprisingly, as the ripping tides we have the rest of the day aren't good for much but losing gear. But, those currents are REALLY good at gear theft. Even if you weight your hoop enough to stay put in the current, the buoys can sink under, and even better, the dunes in the channel can drift over your hoop and bury it. Stick to the slower water, where ever and whenever that might be. Speed kills. Outside of Tomales Bay proper, the outer bay has mostly been slow but a guy yesterday caught 60 crab in less than two hours. So there's crab, but you probably won't catch them. Ten Mile has been similar with a better minimum catch but not a consistent good result. It's mostly just okay. But often okay is good enough. Actually, that's the definition, isn't it?</p><p> Also, a report from nearby: "<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Hi Willy:</span></p><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Monday I was at the west side of Bodeqa Bay Harbor entrance snare crabbing. There were about 15 lines in the water and for the 1.5 hours I was there only 1 small (and kept) rock crab was pulled in.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">At noon on Tuesday, I checked out he south side (Doran Beach Park) of the harbor entrance. About 20 shore based rigs were in the water. A fellow said he had 1 keeper and didn't see any others caught. Most were pulling in tons of sea weed. And the bank was littered with piles of seaweed.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Near that spot, there were several kayakers crabbing not far off the beach. They were having success.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">While crabbing on the west side, I met a very nice fellow named Darin who said he fishes lots for stripers and snare crabs at Lawson's. I wish I had gotten his email/text. But he left before I thought of getting it. He said he was a contractor and living in Sebastopol. By chance do you know of him? . If so, I would sure like to connect with him.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Best,</div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Ron.</span>" I don't have his contact info, Ron, but if he emails me at lawsonslanding@gmail.com I will forward it to you. Your report reminds me of the title of a Cheech and Chong movie: Things Are Tough All Over. But, unlike in the movie, there are some Dungeness out there if you are lucky, smart and determined. And lucky. </p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-12793789642182718512023-12-09T22:41:00.000-08:002023-12-09T22:41:11.722-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhygVMX64m0JfQEMH5CY7rVM9UEfMAajn5G06BuaNmhGR80TttYYaQR76hfdQjEx4qLbPdtxdrDkSs1AbavrpRucb3YbkP3ZlUK9bcFbXHqgUl7ss61VV9J0FAZIEt-buJMKkAykpnRYvZx3hdxhEYEilBNqYWSOmWoG-Ycv0b-nlfdYZd0YKhu9vDqc/s2048/Image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhygVMX64m0JfQEMH5CY7rVM9UEfMAajn5G06BuaNmhGR80TttYYaQR76hfdQjEx4qLbPdtxdrDkSs1AbavrpRucb3YbkP3ZlUK9bcFbXHqgUl7ss61VV9J0FAZIEt-buJMKkAykpnRYvZx3hdxhEYEilBNqYWSOmWoG-Ycv0b-nlfdYZd0YKhu9vDqc/s320/Image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>I was sent this picture this morning, asking "Whatcha think of this?" Then I saw this: "CDFW is seeking public review of a proposed 20-fathom Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) boundary line. The proposed line will allow commercial and recreational groundfish fishing in shallow waters, providing access to most nearshore rockfish while also minimizing catch and release of quillback rockfish, which may not be retained in California as of 2023.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>The Draft Groundfish Management Boundaries web page provides access to a zoomable map with the proposed 20-fathom RCA boundary line, and instructions on how to provide comments. The comment period is open until Saturday December 23, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PST.</p><p><br /></p><p>An RCA line is a series of individual waypoints defined by latitude and longitude. When connected, the waypoints create a boundary line that approximates a specific depth contour. The proposed RCA boundary line will extend over waters that are both shallower and deeper than 20 fathoms, but should generally approximate that depth.</p><p>This 20-fathom RCA boundary line will be implemented through upcoming state rulemaking in anticipation of new 2024 recreational and commercial regulations being developed for groundfish fisheries. While the proposed boundary line is being developed statewide, it will likely be implemented in Groundfish Management Areas where quillback rockfish most commonly occur.</p><p><br /></p><p>Currently, the shallowest available RCA boundary line off California is the federal 30-fathom RCA boundary line. The new, proposed 20-fathom RCA boundary line for state regulations has been developed so that it does not cross or intersect with the federal 30-fathom boundary line.</p><p><br /></p><p>CDFW is asking recreational anglers and commercial fishermen to review and recommend any needed revisions to waypoints that could provide access to shallow nearshore fishing grounds while also generally approximating the 20-fathom depth contour. The waypoints for the proposed 20-fathom RCA boundary line must also fall entirely within state waters (which is depicted in the map viewer). It is also desirable to have fewer waypoints to reduce regulatory complexity and increase ease of use.</p><p><br /></p><p>Your review and input concerning this proposed line is very much appreciated. With feedback from the fishing community, CDFW hopes the new 20-fathom RCA boundary line will allow commercial and recreational groundfish fishing in shallower waters in the new year."</p><p> So, what do I think? If it gives us a nearshore season, I'm for it. Anybody that boohoos about it must be too young to remember when we could only fish in 120 feet of water or less. It wasn't that long ago. This millennium. It sucked, but not fishing sucks more (ask a salmon fisherman). So, I'm for it, if it means I get to fish. I found a few spots way back when, and I can work them again. Will it suck? Yes. Will it suck and still be better than not fishing? Yes, yes, yes. There's places where you can catch inside of 120 feet. It takes some searching and effort. Probably you'll only catch a few. But it's better than sitting on a couch.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385814341554787166.post-15096126327795604052023-12-08T23:08:00.000-08:002023-12-08T23:08:53.560-08:00<p> 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: "</p><div style="background-color: #e6e7e9; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-spacing: 0px; max-width: 600px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" id="m_3969574058009269495m_-3081963321433706473abe-section-row-aa16fce3-213a-42e4-bbc4-3a661b57722c" style="background-color: white;"><td align="center" style="font-size: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;" valign="top"><div id="m_3969574058009269495m_-3081963321433706473abe-column-block-d5b31fda-4d5a-4355-96b3-dc79469a367e" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; width: 600px;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-spacing: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td id="m_3969574058009269495m_-3081963321433706473abe-column-block-d5b31fda-4d5a-4355-96b3-dc79469a367e-padding" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 9px 0px 0px 15px;"><p align="left" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong>Media Contacts:<br /></strong><a href="mailto:Ryan.Bartling@wildlife.ca.gov" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">Ryan Bartling</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (415) 238-2638<br /><a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="background-color: #e6e7e9; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-spacing: 0px; max-width: 600px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" id="m_3969574058009269495m_-3081963321433706473abe-section-row-698ca525-627a-49e6-8b43-df1b8db2b085" style="background-color: white;"><td align="center" style="font-size: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;" valign="top"><div id="m_3969574058009269495m_-3081963321433706473abe-column-block-7a9dd7c5-8ed6-49dc-8e79-5f22570c0d45" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; width: 600px;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-spacing: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td id="m_3969574058009269495m_-3081963321433706473abe-column-block-7a9dd7c5-8ed6-49dc-8e79-5f22570c0d45-padding" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px 15px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px;"><img alt="Fishing zone boundaries in California." class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" height="704" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NY25pWez9xoHN_ogkE_jkqrdkzrG33cVRZaAFyjKGxfKR0B2VbrM4dx7JgqHp4d8vAksYrKCqIBB64OMRQykR3Cuaz5Phw1lAR2nvi-AW_UFst4Ln5grus2LxqYNWnORshk2ZABeXODpLk9-hmNJDxxixWpI46zOxk=s0-d-e1-ft#https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2023/12/8653829/map-zone_original.png" style="border: none; cursor: pointer; height: auto; line-height: 1; max-width: 100%; outline: none; width: 570px;" tabindex="0" width="570" /></td></tr></tbody></table><h1 align="left" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 25px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0.67em 0px 10px;">CDFW Continues Partial Recreational Crab Trap Restriction and Delays Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Due to Entanglement Risk</h1><p align="left" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">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). <strong>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. </strong>CDFW also encourages recreational crabbers to implement best practices, as described in the <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIxNjYzOCZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzEyMDguODY4MDIyNTEifQ.Nnux-GcxL4oAqb8NTHX4Rp2Gf4pCLG1N75z4Qf2NJW0/s/2939960791/br/232548120532-l&source=gmail&ust=1702187444903000&usg=AOvVaw3Wcq2jX_bmpL2IYlE0E_gd" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbnJtLmRmZy5jYS5nb3YvRmlsZUhhbmRsZXIuYXNoeD9Eb2N1bWVudElEPTIxNjYzOCZpbmxpbmU9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzEyMDguODY4MDIyNTEifQ.Nnux-GcxL4oAqb8NTHX4Rp2Gf4pCLG1N75z4Qf2NJW0/s/2939960791/br/232548120532-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">Best Practices Guide</a>.</p><p align="left" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">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.</p><p align="left" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">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 <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LndpbGRsaWZlLmNhLmdvdi9Db25zZXJ2YXRpb24vTWFyaW5lL1doYWxlLVNhZmUtRmlzaGVyaWVzP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzEyMDguODY4MDIyNTEifQ.SvC4BOITNTl_PUk4Fe0wGLBjOJvAcH2HW3wn3M6Caxs/s/2939960791/br/232548120532-l&source=gmail&ust=1702187444903000&usg=AOvVaw2adae9i79UcG6U6NivF_d-" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LndpbGRsaWZlLmNhLmdvdi9Db25zZXJ2YXRpb24vTWFyaW5lL1doYWxlLVNhZmUtRmlzaGVyaWVzP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzEyMDguODY4MDIyNTEifQ.SvC4BOITNTl_PUk4Fe0wGLBjOJvAcH2HW3wn3M6Caxs/s/2939960791/br/232548120532-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page</a>. For more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cud2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L2NyYWI_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMTIwOC44NjgwMjI1MSJ9.0Pbn8C8EFgbyUTZuWamvDa4ImDz7fu2pTKw0yQy7v5M/s/2939960791/br/232548120532-l&source=gmail&ust=1702187444903000&usg=AOvVaw2qW7YS3xmIAHDYsdU5JTT8" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cud2lsZGxpZmUuY2EuZ292L2NyYWI_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMTIwOC44NjgwMjI1MSJ9.0Pbn8C8EFgbyUTZuWamvDa4ImDz7fu2pTKw0yQy7v5M/s/2939960791/br/232548120532-l" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">www.wildlife.ca.gov/crab</a><wbr></wbr>.</p><p align="center" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;">###</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="background-color: #e6e7e9; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-spacing: 0px; max-width: 600px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" id="m_3969574058009269495m_-3081963321433706473abe-section-row-707ebce4-6e9a-4a4b-951d-cc4e9c766c97" style="background-color: white;"><td align="center" style="font-size: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;" valign="top"><div id="m_3969574058009269495m_-3081963321433706473abe-column-block-18f25d89-fb08-4bbb-8f20-8604640aeaec" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; width: 600px;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" style="border-spacing: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td id="m_3969574058009269495m_-3081963321433706473abe-column-block-18f25d89-fb08-4bbb-8f20-8604640aeaec-padding" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px;"><p align="left" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">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 <a href="mailto:EEO@wildlife.ca.gov" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #2f77a0;" target="_blank">EEO@wildlife.ca.gov</a>. 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.</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>" 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. </p><p> 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 : "</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSupineehWSZIXZpeTjNzkeUmTizYw86qz1itm5aBWa0ELiPCa6MCzuEa0gm4a03x8a1OUr3bqhEv4kZFV3wQwMw8lWcgz13dApGGb2OIweX3grUI4Coppg3p01bs2NjIdgGXbzXEkc7k4TXobHM3LrASYWhuZmHZZ9Czh2mOFV-pGt8qBL1rpCaN7U9M/s960/noname%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="444" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSupineehWSZIXZpeTjNzkeUmTizYw86qz1itm5aBWa0ELiPCa6MCzuEa0gm4a03x8a1OUr3bqhEv4kZFV3wQwMw8lWcgz13dApGGb2OIweX3grUI4Coppg3p01bs2NjIdgGXbzXEkc7k4TXobHM3LrASYWhuZmHZZ9Czh2mOFV-pGt8qBL1rpCaN7U9M/s320/noname%20(3).jpg" width="148" /></a></div><br />" 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? <p></p><p><br /></p><p>Dammit.</p>Willy Voglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14123654964258108528noreply@blogger.com0