CDFW News

California Fish and Game Commission Takes Emergency Action to Prevent White Shark Take and Reduce Potential Interactions Between Hooked Sharks and Swimmers

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:11:16 GMT

Prosecutors Honored for Their Work to Protect Wildlife; Southern Resident Killer Whale Named CESA Candidate

Anticipating a larger presence of white sharks in Southern California as a result of warmer El Niño ocean conditions, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) adopted emergency regulations at its June 17-18, 2026 meeting to further protect the large ocean predator and reduce the potential for dangerous interactions with ocean users. These regulations will prohibit the use of certain fishing gear from beaches and nearshore that are used to hook large sharks and could create hazards for nearby beachgoers.

Forecasted warmer waters shift the preferred range for juvenile white sharks northward from Mexico and lead them to stay in California nearshore areas later in the year. The emergency regulations protect not only white sharks but also people recreating in the ocean, decreasing the risk of dangerous human encounters with sharks that are hooked with wire leaders from piers and beaches.

Specific gear types used to target large sharks, including hooks greater than 1.5 inches in maximum inside measurement and wire or metallic lines and leaders, will be prohibited when recreational fishing from shore or within 1,000 yards of shore from Pigeon Point (San Mateo County) south to the U.S.-Mexico border. Shore fishing includes beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks and other man-made structures connected to the shore. Unless extended, the emergency regulations will expire 180 days after being filed with the secretary of state. The Commission may pursue up to two 90-day extensions of the emergency action and, ultimately, may propose continuing the restrictions through a regular rulemaking if the regulations prove to be effective.

Prosecutor of the Year

Commissioners recognized two deputy district attorneys who have demonstrated their dedication to protecting California’s natural resources and have effectively collaborated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to prosecute wildlife crimes. San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney Ken Jorgensen and San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Michael McCann were presented with the Prosecutor of the Year Award for 2025.

Jorgenson’s work resulted in a landmark $165,000 settlement and injunctions in a case involving rare plant habitat destruction, and in another case a $12,500 fine and five years of probation for often under-prosecuted commercial fishing violations.

McCann assisted in the prosecution and investigation surrounding a global wildlife trafficking ring connected to illegal drug and firearm trade. The investigation disrupted a sophisticated trafficking network and resulted in multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, with more anticipated.

Southern Resident Killer Whale

The Commission named the southern resident killer whale (orca) a candidate species for listing under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). This population of orcas inhabits ocean waters from British Columbia to California and is estimated to now number as few as 75.

Orcas face threats such as limited availability of prey; Chinook salmon are a primary food source and have experienced population decline across the entire West Coast range of orcas. The species’ abundance has also been impacted by past practices of capture for live display.

CDFW will have one year to complete a review on the status of orcas, of the best available science, before the Commission can make a final decision on CESA listing. Orca is currently listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act and is considered depleted under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Western Spadefoot

Continued from the Commission’s April meeting, a decision to consider CESA candidacy for western spadefoot frog was postponed to the August meeting to give environmental advocates and the solar industry additional time to collaborate on proposing exceptions to CESA protections that would be allowed under Fish and Game Code Section 2084.

Meeting Participation and Next Meeting

Commission President Eric Sklar, Vice President Darius Anderson and Commissioners Samantha Murray and Erica Zavaleta were in attendance for both days of the June Commission meeting. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin was in attendance for the first day. The meeting was held in Sacramento.

The complete agenda for the meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the Commission website. Archived video of past Commission meetings is available online. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Aug. 12-13, 2026, at the California Natural Resources Agency building in Sacramento. Participants are encouraged to attend in person, with options available for Zoom or phone; for more information visit the Commission website.

The Commission authorized public notice of upcoming potential regulation changes related to:

Harpoons and Flying Gaffs Allowance (PDF): A discussion hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12-13 and an adoption hearing Oct. 14-15 on amendments to regulations related to allowing use of harpoons and flying gaffs in the recreational tuna fishery.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Alicia de la Garza, CDFW Communications, (916) 754-7237

Fish and Game Commission Suspends and Terminates Fishing Privileges for Two Southern California Commercial Lobster Fishermen

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 16:26:24 GMT

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.”

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

California Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meeting

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:30:10 GMT

At its October 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 month’s meeting held in San Jose and Trinidad, with an option for the public to join via Zoom.

The Commission adopted regulations to clarify inland sportfishing regulations, and regulations for mitigating risks for cervid importation and movement to prevent chronic wasting disease from entering California.

The Commission adopted emergency regulations to reduce harvest of white sturgeon for 2023-2024.

The Commission heard a presentation on the history of the Heritage and Wild Trout Program, after which they approved the proposed designated waters for 2023. This year’s waters include Fish and Sharktooth creeks in Fresno and Madera counties. Sharktooth Creek provides backcountry anglers with a rare opportunity to catch an out-of-basin Paiute cutthroat trout. Also added to the list were the Hilton Lakes complex in Mono County, which contains four different trout species in a sub-alpine setting.

The Commission voted unanimously to list Lime Ridge eriastrum as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

The Commission voted unanimously to list Inyo rock daisy as threatened under CESA.

The Commission recognized Daniel P. Connelly, Joseph Fleskes, Beth Huning and Albert Seeno Jr. as this year’s inductees into the California Waterfowlers Hall of Fame.

The Commission extended the existing emergency regulations for California halibut daily bag and possession limits.

Commission President Eric Sklar, Vice President Erika Zavaleta and Commissioner Samantha Murray participated from San Jose. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin participated from Trinidad. There is currently one vacancy on the Commission.

The agenda for this meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the Commission website. Archived video of past Commission meetings is available online. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for December 13-14, 2023 in the San Diego area and via Zoom.

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

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.

California Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meeting

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 12:55:44 GMT

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 month’s meeting held in Fresno with an option for the public to join via Zoom.

The Commission adopted annual regulations for waterfowl, including continuation of special hunting weekends for youth and veterans only.

The Commission also adopted annual big game hunting regulations for bighorn sheep and elk, including a new Tehachapi Rocky Mountain Elk Hunt Zone.

The Commission received a summary of MPA Day: Management Review Forum hosted on March 15, 2023. The well-attended event brought numerous voices and recommendations on next steps in considering results from the first Decadal Management Review Report for the statewide network of marine protected areas.

The Commission authorized an Experimental Fishing Permit to test the commercial use of Puget Buoy’s timed-release ropeless pop-up gear system in the California Dungeness crab fishery.

The Commission adopted amendments to regulations for commercial and recreational take of California spiny lobsters, and recreational hoop net requirements for take of crustaceans.

The full commission was present or participating online during the meeting.

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

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Public Invited to Comment on Petition to List Southern California Steelhead as Endangered

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 12:43:12 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has initiated a status review for Southern California steelhead and invites data or comments on a petition to list Southern California steelhead as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

Southern California steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are found in streams from the Santa Maria River at the southern county line of San Luis Obispo County down to the U.S.-Mexico border. Southern California steelhead as defined in the CESA petition include both anadromous (ocean-going) and resident (stream-dwelling) forms of the species below complete migration barriers in these streams.

Major threats to Southern California steelhead include destruction, modification and fragmentation of habitat due to anthropogenic water use (i.e., dams or diversions for the purposes of providing water for human use) and climate change impacts like increased stream temperatures and intensified drought conditions. Southern California steelhead represent an important steelhead diversity component in California due to their unique adaptations, life histories and genetics.

On June 14, 2021, California Trout submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to list Southern California steelhead as an endangered species under CESA. On April 21, 2022, the Commission accepted that petition for consideration. On May 13, 2022, the Commission provided public notice that Southern California steelhead is now a candidate species under CESA and as such, receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species. The listing petition and CDFW’s petition evaluation report are available on the Commission website.

CDFW invites data or comments on the petitioned action, including Southern California steelhead ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival, the adequacy of existing management or recommendations for management of the species. Data or comments may be submitted via email to SCSH@wildlife.ca.gov. Please include “Southern California Steelhead” in the subject line. Submissions may also be sent to:

CDFW Fisheries Branch
Attn: Southern California Steelhead
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, California 94244-2090

Submissions must be received by Sept. 30. CDFW has 12 months to review the petition, evaluate the best available scientific information relating to Southern California steelhead and make a recommendation to the Commission. The Commission will then place receipt of the report on the agenda for the next available Commission meeting. The report will be made available to the public for that meeting, where the Commission will schedule the petition for further consideration.

For more information on the petition, please visit the Commission website.

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Media Contact:
Kirsten Macintyre, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

Photo: Southern California steelhead, CDFW photo by Kyle Evans