CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsCalifornia Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meetinghttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-fish-and-game-commission-holds-hybrid-meeting1FGCFri, 19 Aug 2022 16:07:48 GMTCalifornia Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meeting<p>At its August 17 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 Loleta at the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria with an option for the public to join via Zoom.</p> <p>The commission approved a five-year kelp harvest plan proposed by Sustainable Ocean Harvest, LLC for mechanical harvest of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) in specified kelp beds in Santa Barbara County. </p> <p>The commission adopted a second 90-day extension of emergency regulations for recreational sub-bag limits for vermilion rockfish, copper rockfish and quillback rockfish. This action conforms state regulations with federal regulations that were recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council and then promulgated by the National Marine Fisheries Service.</p> <p>The Commission determined that listing Inyo rock daisy as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act may be warranted. This action commences a one-year status review to be completed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, during which Inyo rock daisy is protected as a candidate species.</p> <p>The commission approved the first experimental fishing permit (EFP) application submitted under the Experimental Fishing Permit Program created through regulations adopted by the commission in Dec. 2021. This EFP will test the commercial use of deep-set and night-set buoy gear fishing configurations within California state waters. Buoy gear is used to catch swordfish and has proven to significantly reduce bycatch in federal waters.</p> <p>Commission President Samantha Murray, Vice President Erika Zavaleta, Commissioners Jacqueline Hostler-Carmesin and Eric Sklar were present. 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/meetings" target="_blank">Commission’s meetings web page</a>, including video and audio files. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for Oct. 12-13, 2022 in Kings Beach. Please see the <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov/" target="_blank">Commission website</a> for details.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Amanda.L.Mcdermott@wildlife.ca.gov">Amanda McDermott</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641</em><br /> <br /> <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> 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>