CDFW News

Fish and Wildlife Director Closes Razor Clam Fishery in Del Norte County

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 16:13:18 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director has closed the recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County (PDF) following a recommendation from state health agencies (PDF) that the consumption of razor clams in the area poses a significant threat for domoic acid exposure.

Domoic acid is a neurotoxin produced by Pseudo-nitzschia, a naturally occurring single-celled, marine alga, under certain ocean conditions. Bivalve shellfish, like clams and mussels, accumulate the toxin without being harmed. Razor clams are known to bioaccumulate domoic acid and it may not clear their system until long after a Pseudo-nitzschia bloom has abated.

Razor clam sampling from Crescent Beach in Del Norte County in early November found clams exceeding the current federal action level for domoic acid of greater than or equal to 20 parts per million.

Domoic acid poisoning in humans may occur within minutes to hours after consumption of affected seafood and can result in signs and symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to permanent loss of short-term memory (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning), coma or death. There is no way to prepare clams that will remove the toxin – cooking and freezing have no effect.

CDFW will continue to work with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to collect, monitor and analyze razor clams to determine when the recreational clam fishery in Del Norte County can reopen safely.

While the recreational fishery in Humboldt County is currently open, razor clam sampling is ongoing. If domoic acid levels exceed federal action levels, the fishery will be closed. CDFW reminds clammers that the daily bag limit for razor clams is 20 and the first 20 clams dug must be retained regardless of size or condition. Each person is required to keep a separate container for their clams and is not allowed to commingle their take with another person when digging and transporting clams to shore.

For more information, please refer to Title 14, California Code of Regulations sections 29.20 and 29.45 for razor clam regulations that can be accessed on CDFW’s website.

For more information on any fishery closure or health advisories, please visit CDFW’s ocean health advisories website.

To get the latest information on current fishing season closures related to domoic acid, please call CDFW’s Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883.

For the latest consumption warnings, please call the California Department of Public Health’s Biotoxin Information Line at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133.

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Media Contacts:
Christy Juhasz, CDFW Marine Region, (707) 292-2480
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

Ocean Salmon Sport Fisheries in California Closed for April through Mid-May 2023

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 19:07:04 GMT

Today, on recommendation from California and Oregon agency representatives and industry advisors, the National Marine Fisheries Service took inseason action to cancel ocean salmon fishery openers that were scheduled between Cape Falcon, Ore., and the U.S./Mexico border through May 15.

The sport fishery had been scheduled to open off California in most areas on April 1. The actions were taken to protect Sacramento River fall Chinook, which returned to the Central Valley in 2022 at near-record low numbers, and Klamath River fall Chinook, which had the second lowest abundance forecast since the current assessment method began in 1997.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) has produced three regulatory options (PDF) for the May 16, 2023, through May 15, 2024, time period. None of the three options would authorize commercial or ocean salmon sport fishing off California until April 2024. The alternatives were approved by the PFMC for public review today.

On March 21, 2023, the PFMC will hold a public hearing in Santa Rosa to receive public comment on the three proposed regulatory alternatives. The PFMC will then meet April 1-7 in Foster City to adopt final regulations. More information regarding the PFMC meetings and options can be found on the PFMC website at www.pcouncil.org.

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Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

Upper Trinity River Adult Chinook Salmon Quota Met

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 16:09:49 GMT

Based upon California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) projections of the recreational fall-run Chinook salmon catch on the Trinity River, anglers will meet the Upper Trinity River adult fall-run Chinook salmon quota for the 2022 season as of 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21

This triggers the closure of the adult Chinook salmon fishery on the Trinity River from the Old Lewiston Bridge to the Highway 299 West Bridge at Cedar Flat. This reach will remain open for the harvest of 2-year-old jack Chinook salmon less than or equal to 23 inches. All adult Chinook salmon caught must be immediately released and reported on the angler’s report card.

Anglers may still fish for adult Chinook salmon in the Lower Trinity River sector downstream of the Denny Road Bridge at Hawkins Bar to the confluence with the Klamath River. All other sectors are closed to adult salmon harvest.

Anglers may monitor the quota status of open and closed sections of the Klamath and Trinity rivers by calling the information hotline at (800) 564-6479.

For more information regarding Klamath River fishing regulations, please consult the 2022-2023 California Freshwater and Supplemental Sport Fishing Regulations at wildlife.ca.gov/regulations.

CDFW file photo.

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Media Contacts:
Dan Troxel, CDFW Klamath River Project, (707) 822-0330
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

CDFW Announces Angling Closure at the Mouth of the Klamath River

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 11:40:31 GMT

The spit fishery at the mouth of the Klamath River will be closed to angling at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 5. Based on California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) projections of the recreational fall-run Chinook salmon harvest, anglers will have met the “spit area” adult fall-run Chinook salmon quota of 15 percent of the total Klamath River Basin allotment by that time.

Meeting the quota triggers the closure of the spit fishery at the mouth of the Klamath River, within 100 yards of the channel through the sand spit formed at the Klamath River mouth. The spit area is downstream of the Highway 101 bridge located near the town of Klamath.

Recreational fishing will remain closed in the spit area to all fishing for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Other areas of the Klamath basin, including the Trinity River, remain open to adult fall-run Chinook salmon harvest at this time.

Anglers may keep track of the quota status of open and closed sections of the Klamath and Trinity rivers by calling the information hotline at (800) 564-6479.

For more information regarding Klamath River fishing regulations, please consult the 2022-2023 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations on CDFW’s website.

Photo: CDFW file photo, mouth of the Klamath River

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Media Contacts:
Dan Troxel, CDFW Klamath River Project, (707) 822-0330
Kirsten Macintyre, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 322-8908