CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsCDFW Opens Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery in the Central Management Area Under Trap Reduction and Lifts Recreational Crab Trap Restrictionhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-opens-commercial-dungeness-crab-fishery-in-the-central-management-area-under-trap-reduction-and-lifts-recreational-crab-trap-restrictionMarineThu, 11 Jan 2024 13:54:35 GMTThe 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.<p>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>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>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 href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=218635&inline" target="_blank">CDFW Declaration (PDF)</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>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>“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>CDFW encourages both the commercial and recreational crab fisheries to implement best practices, as described in the <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=216638&inline">Best Practices Guide</a> and avoid setting any fishing gear in areas were whales or sea turtles are present. <strong>In addition, the commercial fishery is encouraged to remain vigilant for lost or abandoned gear throughout the fishing season.</strong> Permitted commercial Dungeness crab vessels are <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=202545&inline">allowed to retrieve up to six derelict commercial Dungeness crab traps</a> per fishing trip <strong>pursuant to Section 132.2, Title 14, California Code of Regulations</strong>. Derelict fishing gear may also be reported through <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Enforcement/CalTIP">CalTIP</a>.</p> <p>CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place in mid-February 2024. For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit <a href="https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Whale-Safe-Fisheries">CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page</a>. For more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit <a href="http://www.wildlife.ca.gov/crab">www.wildlife.ca.gov/crab</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Ryan.Bartling@wildlife.ca.gov">Ryan Bartling</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (415) 238-2638<br /> <a href="mailto:Stephen.Gonzalez@wildlife.ca.gov">Stephen Gonzalez</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</em></p> Fish and Game Commission Suspends and Terminates Fishing Privileges for Two Southern California Commercial Lobster Fishermenhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/fish-and-game-commission-suspends-and-terminates-fishing-privileges-for-two-southern-california-commercial-lobster-fishermenMarineThu, 16 Nov 2023 16:26:24 GMTDuring its Oct. 12 meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission adopted recommendations from the CDFW to revoke the commercial fishing licenses of two Southern California commercial fishermen, Michael Volaski and Arthur Esparza.<p>During its Oct. 12 meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission adopted recommendations from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to revoke the commercial fishing licenses of two Southern California commercial fishermen, Michael Volaski, 69, and Arthur Esparza, 62.</p> <p>CDFW recommended a five-year suspension of Volaski’s lobster operator permit and commercial fishing license. Volaski is a commercial lobster fisherman from Oxnard. The suspension stems from a three-day hearing in front of an administrative law judge who listened to testimony from Volaski and CDFW regarding Volaski’s history of violations in the lobster fishery. CDFW wildlife officers recounted multiple incidents and documented violations, which included leaving lobster traps in the water after the close of the season, failing to retrieve a closed and baited lobster trap from the water after the close of the season, unlawfully placing traps within 750 feet of a public pier or jetty and three separate occasions undersized lobsters were found on Volaski’s vessel.</p> <p>In the matter against Esparza, a commercial lobster fisherman from San Diego, CDFW recommended a lifetime revocation of his lobster operator permit and his commercial fishing license, both issued by CDFW. During the May 1, 2023, hearing, wildlife officers detailed 17 diverse violations of the Fish and Game Code and regulations adopted pursuant to the Fish and Game Code. Some of these violations included the unlawful taking of undersized commercial lobster on six separate occasions, the unlawful taking of lobster in the La Jolla State Marine Reserve and the South La Jolla State Marine Conservation area, failing to service lobster traps, failing to maintain and complete lobster logs, unlawfully tagged lobster traps and the unlawful take of finfish with a lobster trap.</p> <p>Whether it’s hunting, recreational fishing or commercial fishing, the opportunity to take and possess fish and wildlife resources in California requires a high degree of mutual trust between law enforcement and the public. CDFW’s wildlife officers are entrusted with protecting the state’s precious marine resources by patrolling and enforcing the law along California’s vast 840-mile-long coastline. CDFW must be able to rely on commercial fisherman to comply with laws and regulations, including avoiding Marine Protected Areas. Those who do not comply erode the trust between CDFW and the public, including the law-abiding fleet, and threaten the sustainability of coastal ecosystems.</p> <p>“The majority of people who fish commercially are law abiding and care for the resource,” said Nathaniel Arnold, Acting Chief of the CDFW Law Enforcement Division. “There are a few individuals, however, who choose to partake in commercial poaching. These individuals will eventually be caught and will likely lose the privilege to commercially fish in this state through either criminal or administrative actions.”</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> CDFW Announces Closure of Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Off Central California to Protect Humpback Whaleshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-announces-closure-of-commercial-dungeness-crab-fishery-off-central-california-to-protect-humpback-whales1FisheriesThu, 30 Mar 2023 13:50:08 GMTCDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham has assessed entanglement risk under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP) and announced a fishery closure for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in fishing zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the U.S./Mexico border) effective at noon on April 15, 2023.<p>California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has assessed entanglement risk under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP) and announced a fishery closure for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in fishing zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the U.S./Mexico border) effective at noon on April 15, 2023. The take and possession of Dungeness crab is therefore prohibited after noon on April 15, 2023, in fishing zones 3-6. </p> <p>This season closure is being implemented to minimize entanglement risk for humpback whales as they return to forage off the coast of California and in response to several entanglements that occurred during March and April of 2022. Based on historical migration patterns, CDFW anticipates humpback whales will begin arriving in the coming weeks and has determined this action is needed to avoid entanglements during the same period that occurred last season. In addition, CDFW has authorized the Lost and Abandoned Gear Retrieval Program to begin removing commercial Dungeness crab traps left in the water beginning April 21, 2023, at 6 a.m. in zones 3, 4, 5 and 6.</p> <p>“The fleet has done an impressive job helping CDFW manage entanglement risk in the commercial fishery and appreciates the high level of involvement to inform the risk assessment process,” said CDFW Director Bonham. “We applaud the Working Group for their dedication and continued focus on the long-term viability of the fishery that helps ensure we protect future opportunities to bring Dungeness crab to Californians and provide protection for whales and sea turtles off our coast.”</p> <p>Fishing zones 1 through 6 also remain under a Fleet Advisory for both the commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries. The recreational fishery remains open to crab traps north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County, but may be subject to a future trap restriction when humpback whales return to forage during the spring and summer. In addition, CDFW reminds all commercial and recreational fishery participants to implement best practices, as described in the <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=195428&inline" target="_blank">Best Practices Guide (PDF)</a>. CDFW also reminds all anglers to be prepared to act quickly to remove fishing gear from remaining open areas should entanglement risk become elevated. For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit <a href="/Conservation/Marine/Whale-Safe-Fisheries">CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page</a>. For more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit <a href="/crab">CDFW’s Crab page</a>, including <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=195757&inline" target="_blank">FAQs (PDF)</a> for the 2022-23 commercial fishing season and <a href="/Conservation/Marine/Invertebrates/Crabs#315201397-recreational-crab-fishery-information">FAQs</a> for the new recreational crab trap regulations.</p> <p><img alt="Map of marine fishing zones off the California coast." src="/Portals/0/Images/OCEO/News/MarineFishingZoneMap2023.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 530px;" /></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Ryan.Bartling@wildlife.ca.gov">Ryan Bartling</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (415) 238-2638<br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> Ocean Salmon Sport Fisheries in California Closed for April through Mid-May 2023https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/ocean-salmon-sport-fisheries-in-california-closed-for-april-through-mid-may-2023SalmonFri, 10 Mar 2023 19:07:04 GMTToday, 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.<p>Today, on recommendation from California and Oregon agency representatives and industry advisors, the National Marine Fisheries Service <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/inseason-actions-2023-ocean-salmon-fisheries-south-cape-falcon-recreational-commercial" target="_blank">took inseason action</a> to cancel ocean salmon fishery openers that were scheduled between Cape Falcon, Ore., and the U.S./Mexico border through May 15.</p> <p>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 <a href="/News/fishery-scientists-announce-poor-2023-outlook-for-californias-ocean-salmon-stocks#gsc.tab=0">near-record low numbers</a>, and Klamath River fall Chinook, which had the second lowest abundance forecast since the current assessment method began in 1997.</p> <p>The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) has <a href="https://www.pcouncil.org/documents/2023/03/pacific-fishery-management-council-releases-alternatives-for-2023-west-coast-salmon-fisheries-march-10-2023.pdf/" target="_blank">produced three regulatory options (PDF)</a> 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.</p> <p>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 <a href="http://www.pcouncil.org" target="_blank">www.pcouncil.org</a>. </p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> CDFW Announces a Statewide Fleet Advisory for the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fisheryhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-announces-a-statewide-fleet-advisory-for-the-commercial-dungeness-crab-fisheryMarineFri, 18 Feb 2022 10:40:24 GMTThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is issuing a statewide fleet advisory for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery due to a recent humpback whale entanglement, approximately 5 miles west of Cypress Point near Monterey Bay (Fishing Zone 4).<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is issuing a statewide fleet advisory for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery due to a recent humpback whale entanglement, approximately 5 miles west of Cypress Point near Monterey Bay (Fishing Zone 4). The entanglement was first reported in late January involving heavy line from unknown fishing gear and CDFW is encouraging the commercial fleet and all mariners to be on the lookout for any entangled whale in this area and across California waters. If anyone sights an entangled whale, do not approach, or attempt to disentangle, but please immediately report it to the U.S. Coast Guard or call the Entanglement Reporting Hotline at (877) SOS-WHAL or (877) 767-9425.</p> <p>Based on recent surveys and historic migration patterns, overall entanglement risk remains low across California waters. CDFW is however issuing this Fleet Advisory for all fishing zones and reminds all in the commercial and recreational fisheries to implement best practices, as described in the <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=195428&inline" target="_blank">Best Practices Guide</a>. California is leading the way on the West Coast in its efforts to minimize risk of entanglement in our commercial fisheries.</p> <p>“These efforts are supported by a strong collaboration with the fishing community, partner agencies and scientific advisors,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “We appreciate this ongoing collaboration and are committed to protecting our natural heritage while providing fishing opportunities to the citizens of California.”</p> <p>For a <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Portals/0/Images/marine/WSF/Final_RAMP_color_070621.jpg">map of all fishing zones</a>, for more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit <a href="/Conservation/Marine/Whale-Safe-Fisheries">CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page</a> or more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit <a href="/crab">CDFW’s Crab page</a>, including <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=195757&inline" target="_blank">FAQs</a> for the 2021-22 season of the commercial fishery and <a href="/Conservation/Marine/Invertebrates/Crabs#315201397-recreational-crab-fishery-information">FAQs</a> for the new recreational crab trap regulations.</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong></em></p> <p><em><a href="mailto:Ryan.Bartling@wildlife.ca.gov">Ryan Bartling</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (415) 238-2638<br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p>