CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsCDFW to Meet with Public, Sell Licenses and Warden Stamps at 2023 Sport Showshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-to-meet-with-public-sell-licenses-and-warden-stamps-at-2023-sport-showsOutreachMon, 13 Feb 2023 15:39:21 GMTCDFW returns to the sport shows in 2023.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is returning to the annual Bart Hall and Cal Shows for 2023. The Del Mar Bart Hall Show is Feb. 16-19 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar (San Diego County), the Cal Shows Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat & RV Show is Mar. 10-12 at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield and the Long Beach Bart Hall Show is Mar. 29-Apr. 2 at the Long Beach Convention Center.</p> <p>Wildlife officers, fisheries and wildlife scientists, license agents and other CDFW staff will be available during the shows to answer questions and provide information regarding fishing and hunting opportunities throughout the state. Licenses, license items and warden stamps will be available for purchase. Customers may pay by credit card or check.</p> <p>The CDFW Law Enforcement trailer will be on display with a wide array of taxidermy, and Wildlife Officers will be on hand to answer questions about employment opportunities and rules and regulations regarding hunting and fishing. The 2023 Warden Stamp will also be available for purchase at the indoor booth. Stamp sales help fund extra training and equipment for our officers.</p> <p>Also featured will be a free youth fishing pond stocked with rainbow trout provided by CDFW. Information on CDFW’s Fishing in the City program, as well as a modern fish-transporting truck will be on display at the Bart Hall shows.</p> <p>For more information on the Bart Hall shows, please visit <a href="http://hallshows.com/home" target="_blank">hallshows.com/home</a>. For more information on the Bakersfield show, please visit <a href="http://www.calshows.com" target="_blank">www.calshows.com</a>.</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></p> California Assembly Bill 2109 Signed into Law, Providing New Protections for White Sharkshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-assembly-bill-2109-signed-into-law-providing-new-protections-for-white-sharksMarineThu, 22 Sep 2022 13:58:00 GMTOn Monday, Sept. 19, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 2109, providing new protections for white sharks in California waters. White sharks, also called great white sharks, are already a protected species and an important part of the ocean ecosystem as top-level predators.<p>On Monday, Sept. 19, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 2109, providing new protections for white sharks in California waters. White sharks, also called great white sharks, are already a protected species and an important part of the ocean ecosystem as top-level predators. There is enormous public and scientific interest in them.</p> <p>Sponsored by Assemblymember Steve Bennett, the bill passed the California legislature with an overwhelming majority of support. The new restrictions aim to get ahead of activities that may lead to increased interactions between white sharks and humans, and to give law enforcement more tools to protect white sharks from intentional efforts to catch or attract them. The new law also helps protect the public from interactions with white sharks that have been unintentionally hooked by fishermen by restricting when and where chum and shark bait can be used, while still allowing other legal fishing activities to continue.</p> <p>“Sharks are one of California’s most iconic marine species, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that their populations are sustained,” Assemblymember Bennett said. “At the same time, public safety is of the utmost importance.”</p> <p>“This bill represents a collaborative engagement between anglers, the scientific community, the legislature and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to develop proactive, common-sense approaches to further protect California’s iconic white sharks, while also protecting ocean users and preserving recreational fishing opportunities,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham.</p> <p>Anglers should note the new rules regarding take of white sharks go into effect on January 1, 2023. These rules, found in California Fish and Game Code, section 5517, prohibit the use of shark bait, shark lures or shark chum to attract a white shark. Anglers also may not place those items into the water within one nautical mile of any shoreline, pier or jetty, when a white shark is visible or known to be present.</p> <p>CDFW continues to work with partners to proactively address the potential for fishing activities to lead to white shark interactions. The Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA CAL) is also very supportive of protecting white sharks.</p> <p>“We fight for responsible and sustainable fishing practices while also supporting regulations to protect our most vulnerable resources,” said Wayne Kotow, executive director for CCA CAL. “We are all stewards of the resources and need to work together for the future of our favorite sport of fishing.”</p> <p>“We have seen increased use of California beaches as nursery habitat for juvenile white sharks,” said Dr. Chris Lowe, a professor in marine biology and director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach. “This bill will help reduce fishery interactions with white sharks, helping the protected sharks and ocean users by reducing the risk of hooking these sharks at public beaches and ocean piers where people are swimming, surfing and diving.”</p> <p>For more information about white sharks, please visit CDFW’s <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/White-Shark">White Shark Information webpage</a>, which includes answers to frequently asked questions, as well as shark incident information going back to 1950. Additional questions may be sent to <a href="mailto:askmarine@wildlife.ca.gov">CDFW’s Marine Region</a> via email.</p> <p><em><strong>Photo credit: White shark, CDFW photo by Liz Hellmers.</strong></em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:John.Ugoretz@wildlife.ca.gov">John Ugoretz</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (562) 338-3068<br /> <a href="mailto:Kirsten.Macintyre@wildlife.ca.gov">Kirsten Macintyre</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</em>  </p> California 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> Big Changes to Sport Groundfish Regulations Coming in 2023https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/big-changes-to-sport-groundfish-regulations-coming-in-2023MarineThu, 28 Jul 2022 13:43:44 GMTSignificant changes to California’s groundfish sport fishing regulations are expected starting next year, in response to recent scientific information suggesting some nearshore groundfish species are in decline. To reduce pressure on these stocks, fishing seasons will be shorter in nearshore waters, but new opportunities in deeper water are anticipated.<p>Significant changes to California’s groundfish sport fishing regulations are expected starting next year, in response to recent scientific information suggesting some nearshore groundfish species are in decline. To reduce pressure on these stocks, fishing seasons will be shorter in nearshore waters, but new opportunities in deeper water are anticipated.</p> <p>The upcoming changes were developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) over the past year and reflect outcomes of a public decision-making process where the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) worked with fishing industry representatives, non-governmental organizations, and state, federal and tribal governments to balance the need for fishing season closures in nearshore waters with the needs of these communities and industries. The PFMC approved the recommendations for 2023 and 2024 at its June meeting.</p> <p>Based on these recommendations, the National Marine Fisheries Service has begun the process of amending federal regulations, which are expected to take effect in January 2023. The California Fish and Game Commission is considering the same changes to ocean sport fishing regulations for state waters.</p> <p>California’s sport groundfish regulations divide the state into five “Groundfish Management Areas” – in which the fishing seasons, Rockfish Conservation Areas or depth constraints, and bag limits may differ. In 2022, nearshore groundfish fishing season lengths ranged from eight to 10 months, but in 2023, they are expected to shrink to not more than five and a half months in all areas.</p> <p>Within the 10-fish daily combined rockfish, cabezon and greenling bag limit, the sub-bag limits of one fish each for quillback and copper rockfish, and four fish for vermilion rockfish will continue in 2023. These sub-bag limits have been in effect since January 2022 and were necessary because new information in 2021 indicated severe declines in the populations of quillback and copper rockfish off California, and recreational vermilion rockfish catch continued to be greater than sustainable harvest limits.</p> <p>Both the sub-bag limits and shortened fishing seasons are expected to achieve necessary reductions in copper, vermilion and quillback rockfish catch.</p> <p>While groundfish fishing seasons will be shorter for nearshore waters and some bag limits are reduced, new opportunities to fish in deeper water beginning in 2023 will allow anglers to target healthy populations of shelf and slope rockfish in deeper waters, like schooling mid-water widow and yellowtail rockfish, or bottom-dwelling blackgill rockfish. Additionally, the sport fishing seasons for some other federally managed groundfish species like sablefish (sometimes called “black cod” or “butterfish”) will be open year-round without depth constraints. Access to these previously closed depths means new experiences for anglers as they explore new habitats, new fishing locations, new target species, and new gear configurations to assemble and deploy.</p> <p>“Next year is expected to bring a momentous shift in the sport groundfish fishery as all but one of the overfished shelf species that drove management decisions for the better part of the past two decades are now healthy,” said CDFW Environmental Program Manager Marci Yaremko. “While concerns for quillback and copper rockfish will impact the nearshore fishery in the coming years, there are also a number of new opportunities for anglers, and CDFW looks forward to supporting their development.”</p> <p>To stay informed of in-season regulatory changes, please call the Recreational Groundfish Hotline at (831) 649-2801 or visit CDFW’s <a href="/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Groundfish-Summary">summary of recreational groundfish fishing regulations</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:caroline.mcknight@wildlife.ca.gov">Caroline McKnight</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (831) 277-7683<br /> <a href="mailto:kirsten.macintyre@wildlife.ca.gov">Kirsten Macintyre</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</em></p> <p><em><strong>Photo:</strong> CDFW photo of a copper rockfish, by Ed Roberts</em></p> Salmon Fishery Monitoring Commences as the Recreational Ocean Salmon Season is Underwayhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/salmon-fishery-monitoring-commences-as-the-recreational-ocean-salmon-season-is-underwaySpeciesFri, 20 May 2022 09:55:13 GMTCalifornia’s recreational ocean salmon season is underway, and so is the CDFW ocean salmon monitoring program. Anglers are encouraged to assist CDFW employees or agents who ask about their trip or request to examine the catch, as the information collected is essential to the science needed to support continued ocean salmon fishing opportunities in future years.<p>California’s recreational ocean salmon season is underway, and so is the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) ocean salmon monitoring program. Anglers are encouraged to assist CDFW employees or agents who ask about their trip or request to examine the catch, as the information collected is essential to the science needed to support continued ocean salmon fishing opportunities in future years.</p> <p>Every year, CDFW staff and affiliated contract employees monitor marine docks and launch ramps to observe and sample salmon brought ashore by private recreational boats and charter vessels. The samplers are tasked with observing salmon catch, gathering effort information about the fishing trip and collecting biological samples of tagged salmon.</p> <p>Each year, approximately 40 million fall-run Chinook salmon are produced at California hatcheries. A minimum of 25 percent of those juvenile salmon are implanted with a Coded Wire Tag (CWT) in their snout prior to release into California’s rivers, bays and estuaries. CWTs are small (less than or equal to 1 millimeter in length) metal tags with a laser-engraved code that corresponds to a specific release group of hatchery salmon. Each code provides biologists with information about that fish, such as the hatchery of origin, brood year, run type, release date, release location and the number of tagged and untagged salmon in that release group. Each salmon containing a CWT is also externally marked with a clipped adipose fin (the small, fleshy fin between the dorsal and caudal fin) to allow for easy visual identification in the field.</p> <p>When a sampler identifies an adipose fin-clipped salmon on the docks, they will measure the length of the fish and remove the head for recovery of the CWT. The heads are then transported back to the CDFW lab where the CWT will be removed and decoded under a microscope.</p> <p>Survey participants who have their salmon head collected have the option to receive the CWT information obtained from their fish after it is processed at the lab. On rare occasions, salmon raised in Alaska or British Columbia hatcheries make a long journey to waters off California and are taken in our ocean salmon fishery. On request, the CDFW Ocean Salmon Project will provide anglers with the biological information for their tagged salmon, including the age, hatchery of origin and release information.</p> <p>Angler participation in the ocean salmon sampling program is critical to fishery managers and biologists tasked with ensuring the future use and conservation of this iconic species. The data are used to make stock abundance forecasts, which inform the development of annual fishing regulations that allow for harvest of more abundant stocks and meet conservation objectives designed to protect stocks of concern. Anglers should also note that they are required by law to relinquish the head of any adipose fin-clipped salmon upon request by a CDFW representative, per California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 1.73.</p> <p>Anglers are advised to check for updated information when planning a salmon fishing trip. Season dates, bag/possession limit information and gear restrictions are posted on <a href="/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Salmon">CDFW’s ocean salmon webpage</a> and are also available by calling the CDFW ocean salmon regulations hotline at (707) 576-3429. Public notification of any in-season change to conform state regulations to federal regulations is made through the National Marine Fisheries Service ocean salmon hotline at (800) 662-9825.</p> <p>Pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 1.95, ocean salmon sport fishing regulations in state waters automatically conform to federal regulations. Federal regulations for ocean salmon fisheries were published in 87 Federal Register 29690 on May 16, 2022 and were effective as of May 16, 2022.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:grace.easterbrook@wildlife.ca.gov">Grace Easterbrook</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (707) 576-2375<br /> <a href="mailto:peter.tira@wildlife.ca.gov">Peter Tira</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858</em></p> <p><em><strong>Photos:</strong><br /> CDFW Ocean Salmon Program staff removing a coded wire from Chinook salmon: CDFW.<br /> Coded Wire Tag (CWT) in salmon snout: Lee Blankenship, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.</em></p>