CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsFish 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> California Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meetinghttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-fish-and-game-commission-holds-hybrid-meeting8TroutFri, 13 Oct 2023 14:30:10 GMTAt 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.<p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The Commission adopted <a href="/News/Archive/white-sturgeon-harvest-reduced-for-2023-2024-season#gsc.tab=0">emergency regulations to reduce harvest of white sturgeon for 2023-2024</a>.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The Commission voted unanimously to list Lime Ridge eriastrum as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).</p> <p>The Commission voted unanimously to list Inyo rock daisy as threatened under CESA.</p> <p>The Commission recognized Daniel P. Connelly, Joseph Fleskes, Beth Huning and Albert Seeno Jr. as this year’s inductees into the <a href="https://www.cawaterfowlershof.com/" target="_blank">California Waterfowlers Hall of Fame</a>.</p> <p>The Commission extended the existing emergency regulations for California halibut daily bag and possession limits.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The agenda for this meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/2023" target="_blank">Commission website</a>. Archived <a href="https://cal-span.org/search/?q=fish+and+game+commission" target="_blank">video of past Commission meetings</a> 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.</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> <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> California Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meetinghttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-fish-and-game-commission-holds-hybrid-meeting5FGCFri, 21 Apr 2023 12:55:44 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 month’s meeting held in Fresno 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 month’s meeting held in Fresno with an option for the public to join via Zoom.</p> <p>The Commission adopted annual regulations for waterfowl, including continuation of special hunting weekends for youth and veterans only.</p> <p>The Commission also adopted annual big game hunting regulations for bighorn sheep and elk, including a new Tehachapi Rocky Mountain Elk Hunt Zone.</p> <p>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 <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs/Management/Decadal-Review">Decadal Management Review Report</a> for the statewide network of marine protected areas.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The Commission adopted amendments to regulations for commercial and recreational take of California spiny lobsters, and recreational hoop net requirements for take of crustaceans.</p> <p>The full commission was present or participating online during the meeting.</p> <p>The agenda for this meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/2023" target="_blank">Commission website</a>. Archived <a href="https://cal-span.org/search/?q=fish+and+game+commission" target="_blank">video of past Commission meetings</a> is available online. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for May 17, 2023, via teleconference.</p> <p><strong>Media contact</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</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> Public Invited to Comment on Petition to List Southern California Steelhead as Endangeredhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/public-invited-to-comment-on-petition-to-list-southern-california-steelhead-as-endangeredTroutFri, 15 Jul 2022 12:43:12 GMTCDFW 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).<p>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).</p> <p>Southern California steelhead (<em>Oncorhynchus mykiss</em>) 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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. <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov/CESA#SCS" target="_blank">The listing petition and CDFW’s petition evaluation report</a> are available on the Commission website.</p> <p>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 <a href="mailto:SCSH@wildlife.ca.gov">SCSH@wildlife.ca.gov</a>. Please include “Southern California Steelhead” in the subject line. Submissions may also be sent to:</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;">CDFW Fisheries Branch<br /> Attn: Southern California Steelhead<br /> P.O. Box 944209<br /> Sacramento, California 94244-2090</p> <p>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.</p> <p>For more <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov/CESA#SCS" target="_blank">information on the petition</a>, please visit the Commission website.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:kirsten.macintyre@wildlife.ca.gov">Kirsten Macintyre</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</em></p> <p><em><strong>Photo: </strong>Southern California steelhead, CDFW photo by Kyle Evans</em></p> Ventura County Deputy District Attorney Named 2021 Wildlife Prosecutor of the Yearhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/ventura-county-deputy-district-attorney-named-2021-wildlife-prosecutor-of-the-yearWildlifeFri, 17 Jun 2022 11:12:38 GMTVentura County Senior Deputy District Attorney (SDDA) Karen Wold has been named 2021 Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and California Fish and Game Commission announced this week.<p>Ventura County Senior Deputy District Attorney (SDDA) Karen Wold has been named 2021 Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and California Fish and Game Commission announced this week.</p> <p>“Senior Deputy DA Karen Wold has taken several complicated investigations by CDFW’s wildlife officers and turned them into successful prosecutions, thereby making it clear that poaching and pollution crimes will not be tolerated in Ventura County,” said David Bess, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of the Law Enforcement Division.</p> <p>SDDA Karen Wold and her team of investigators from the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit have been valuable partners and a trusted resource for wildlife officers. For years, Wold has led the charge to hold poaching and pollution violators in Ventura County accountable through effective prosecution and assessment of criminal and civil penalties. Those penalties range from fines, permanent and temporary injunctions, imprisonment, cost recovery, educational outreach signage and the procurement of supplies and equipment to help various agencies continue to protect the state’s natural resources.</p> <p>“We are very proud of Senior Deputy District Attorney Karen Wold’s achievements and are grateful to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for their collaboration and recognition of her work,” said Erik Nasarenko, Ventura County District Attorney. “Karen is a dedicated prosecutor — she works hard each day to enforce laws that protect the environment and wildlife in our beautiful state.”</p> <p>Over the years, the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has been responsible for securing some favorable dispositions against businesses that pollute in Ventura County. Most notably, a civil settlement in 2016 against Crimson Pipeline totaled nearly $1.6 million in penalties, costs and natural resource damage restitution.</p> <p>More recently, however, SDDA Wold was vital in securing a settlement against a local commercial fishing vessel operator who allowed toxic substances to flow into the waters of Channel Islands Harbor. In June 2021, wildlife officers from the patrol boat Swordfish observed a commercial squid seiner exiting Ventura Harbor after conducting an off-load of market squid. The officers monitored the vessel, knowing they were most likely heading out of the harbor to dump their excess tank water, known as “stick-water.” Stick water is deleterious to aquatic life due to its ability to create an oxygen deficient environment and create increased amounts of lethal ammonia. Because of its deleterious nature to fish, commercial fishermen are required to dump it outside of state waters, defined as at least three miles offshore.</p> <p>After boarding the vessel and conducting interviews, officers determined the vessel dumped the toxic water just outside the breakwater and well inside the boundaries of state waters. The case was turned over to SDDA Wold and her team, and they recently settled the case for a civil penalty of $20,000. Included in that penalty was funding set aside for educational signage inside the harbor, most specifically at the commercial squid processing dock, that addresses the regulations and deleterious nature of stick water.</p> <p>In February 2021, wildlife officers from CDFW’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response responded to reports of excessive amounts of paint debris coating nearby vessels and rocks along the jetty. Through investigation, the officers determined a local commercial fishing vessel operator was sanding their deck and hull without any containment setup. The case was turned over to SDDA Wold and her team, and they promptly went to work to reach a settlement. In the end, the violator agreed to pay $20,000 in fines with nearly $15,000 of that earmarked for oil spill response equipment.</p> <p>SDDA Wold and her team not only help with marine environmental prosecutions, but they also step in to help with some of the more egregious fish and wildlife crimes that take place in Ventura County. In July 2019, wildlife officers investigated the killing of a collared mountain lion in the Simi Hills, Ventura County. The investigation revealed that a worker at a local college shot and killed a mountain lion that was being monitored via a GPS collar. After killing the lion, the suspect cut off the GPS collar to cover up his crime. He then drove the collar and the lion carcass to two different locations and dumped them several miles from the kill site. Wold prosecuted this case with the utmost seriousness and after several meetings, the suspect ultimately pled guilty to the charge of unlawfully killing a mountain lion and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 30 days in a work release program, 240 hours of community service at a local animal shelter and three years of summary probation.</p> <p>“Senior Deputy DA Wold exemplifies the type of prosecutor who can take a poaching or pollution crime investigation and turn into a successful prosecution that not only holds the violator accountable but serves as a warning to others that they too will be held accountable for similar violations,” said Commission President Samantha Murray. “The Commission created this award for prosecutors like Wold to acknowledge good work and to set an example for other prosecutors.”</p> <p>CDFW is proud of the partnership established through years of collaboration with SDDA Wold and thankful for her leadership in protecting the natural resources of Ventura County.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Eric.Kord@wildlife.ca.gov">Assistant Chief Eric Kord</a>, CDFW Law Enforcement Division, (619) 921-5959<br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Yraverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p>