CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsCDFW Continues Partial Recreational Crab Trap Restriction and Delays Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Due to Entanglement Riskhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-continues-partial-recreational-crab-trap-restriction-and-delays-commercial-dungeness-crab-fishery-due-to-entanglement-riskWildlifeThu, 07 Dec 2023 21:10:12 GMTCDFW 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.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is continuing the temporary recreational crab trap restriction from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Lopez Point, Monterey County, (Fishing Zones 3 and 4) due to the presence of humpback whales and the potential for entanglement of humpback whales and leatherback sea turtles with trap gear. The recreational trap restriction will be in effect until at least the next risk assessment. The temporary trap restriction currently in effect in Fishing Zone 1 (Cape Mendocino to the Oregon state line) will be lifted at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at which time the use of recreational crab traps in Fishing Zones 1, 2, 5 and 6 will be allowed. A Fleet Advisory remains in effect for the recreational fishery for all Fishing Zones (1-6). CDFW reminds recreational crabbers that take of Dungeness crab by other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares, is allowed during a temporary trap restriction. CDFW also encourages recreational crabbers to implement best practices, as described in the <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=216638&inline" target="_blank">Best Practices Guide (PDF)</a>.</p> <p>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>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 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">wildlife.ca.gov/crab</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <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> California Fish and Game Commission Holds First Hybrid Meetinghttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-fish-and-game-commission-holds-first-hybrid-meetingWildlifeMon, 25 Apr 2022 12:26:25 GMTAt its April meeting the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this week’s meeting held in Monterey and Trinidad, with an option for the public to join via Zoom.<p>At its April meeting the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this week’s meeting held in Monterey and Trinidad, with an option for the public to join via Zoom.</p> <p>The Commission adopted a regulation prohibiting the use of hydraulic pumps to take clams, sand crabs and shrimp. This regulation was previously adopted as a temporary, emergency regulation and is now adopted through the standard rulemaking process.</p> <p>The Commission adopted the Pink (Ocean) Shrimp Fishery Management Plan, consistent with the Marine Life Management Act. The plan’s provisions align California’s pink shrimp management with that of Oregon and Washington, and puts the commercial pink shrimp trawl fishery on the path to be the first state-managed fishery in California with a Marine Stewardship Council sustainability certification.</p> <p>The Commission determined that listing southern California steelhead as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) may be warranted. This action commences a one-year status review to be completed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), during which southern California steelhead is protected as a candidate species. However, the Commission also voted to allow take of southern California steelhead under certain circumstances for projects that serve an immediate need and provide flood protection, public safety (including highways), or water supply or water treatment.</p> <p>The Commission voted unanimously to deny the petition requesting to ban bear hunting in California until three conditions were met, including conducting an empirical study to determine the state’s black bear population.</p> <p>This was the first Commission meeting held since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic with options for both in-person and virtual attendance. At the meeting in Monterey, Commission President Samantha Murray, Vice President Erika Zavaleta and Commissioner Eric Sklar were present. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin attended from a second public location in Trinidad, Calif. There is one vacant position on the Commission.</p> <p>The agenda for this meeting along with supporting information is available on the <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov" target="_blank">Commission website</a>. An archived audio file will be available in coming days. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for June 15-16, 2022. Please see the <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov" target="_blank">Commission website</a> for details.</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> <p>###</p> <p><em>The California Fish and Game Commission was one of the first wildlife conservation agencies in the United States, predating even the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. There is often confusion about the distinction between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Commission. In the most basic terms, CDFW implements and enforces the regulations set by the Commission, as well as provides biological data and expertise to inform the Commission’s decision-making process.</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-whalesWildlife HealthFri, 25 Mar 2022 13:08:40 GMTCDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham has assessed entanglement risk under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP) and announced the closure of 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 8, 2022.<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 the closure of 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 8, 2022. This closure is being implemented because of two recent humpback whale entanglements that occurred off San Mateo County and in Monterey Bay involving California commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear. All commercial Dungeness crab traps must be removed from the fishing grounds by the April 8 closure date. While this closure shortens the season for many fishermen, the RAMP regulations are designed to minimize risk and provide for a long-term viable fishery for all Californians. In addition, the Director has authorized the Lost and Abandoned Gear Retrieval Program to begin removing commercial Dungeness crab traps left in the water beginning April 15, 2022, at noon in Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6.</p> <p>CDFW asks fishermen and mariners to be on the lookout for entangled whales and report them so that a disentanglement response team can be mobilized to remove the gear. Reports can be made to 1-877-SOS-WHALE or contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16. The recreational fishery in these zones remains open but may be subject to a future trap restriction when humpbacks return to forage during the spring and summer. In addition, CDFW is continuing a Fleet Advisory 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 (PDF)</a>.</p> <p>“The past few seasons have been difficult for fishing families, communities and businesses, but it is imperative that we strike the right balance between protecting humpback whales and providing fishing opportunity,” said Director Bonham. “The fleet has done an impressive job helping CDFW manage risk of entanglement in the commercial fishery, including starting to remove fishing gear when the entanglements were first reported. This partnership helps ensure we protect future opportunities to fish and the incredible biodiversity of our ocean.”</p> <p>A <a href="/Portals/0/Images/marine/WSF/Final_RAMP_color_070621.jpg" target="_blank">map of all Fishing Zones (JPG)</a> can be found on the CDFW website. For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit <a href="/Conservation/Marine/Whale-Safe-Fisheries">CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries webpage.</a> For more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit <a href="/crab">CDFW’s Crab webpage</a>, including <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=195757&inline" target="_blank">FAQs (PDF)</a> for the 2021-22 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>###</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>