CDFW News

California Fish and Game Commission Guards State Waters Against Golden Mussels, Extends Sturgeon Fishing Restrictions with Added Guidance

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 13:47:00 GMT

The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) acted on a variety of issues affecting California’s natural resources at its Dec.11-12 meeting in Sacramento, including emergency action to list the invasive golden mussel as a restricted species. The Commission also acted to extend emergency regulations 90 days for the recreational catch-and-release white sturgeon season and added language for permitted catch handling. The public was able to participate in the meeting in person, via webinar and by phone.

To protect California against the spread of invasive golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) discovered Oct. 17 at the Port of Stockton, and in the days following as far south as San Luis Reservoir’s O'Neill Forebay, the Commission added golden mussel to the list of species restricted from live importation, transportation and possession. This discovery is North America’s first; golden mussel is native to China and Southeast Asia and was likely transported across the ocean on large ships.

“Golden mussels are a bigger threat to California waters than quagga and zebra mussels because they can thrive in a wider range of water quality conditions,” said Jay Rowan, Chief of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fisheries Branch. “Putting golden mussels on the restricted species list is an important first step toward containment and prevention of spread of this non-native species.”

The emergency listing will reduce the potential for people to introduce the bivalves to other waters of the state. The species poses an immediate threat to the ecological health of the Delta and all waters of the state, water conveyance systems, infrastructure and water quality. The Commission’s action makes it illegal to be in possession or transport golden mussels in California.

A 90-day extension of emergency regulations for the recreational take of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) was adopted by the Commission.

In June, white sturgeon was named a candidate species to be considered for protection under the California Endangered Species Act. Following that action, on Oct. 1 the fishery was limited to sport catch-and-release fishing through an emergency regulation that was set to expire March 5, 2025.

Continuing the catch-and-release fishery for white sturgeon is necessary to provide an important recreational opportunity for anglers and to mitigate adverse economic impacts to businesses that rely on the fishery, until a permanent regulation is implemented.

Language was also added to the regulations regarding proper handling of white sturgeon. More information on CDFW’s white sturgeon catch-and-release best practices can be viewed online.

During the Commission meeting, CDFW honored Wildlife Officer Laura Decker as Wildlife Officer of the Year for 2023. The Commission recognized and thanked Wildlife Officer Decker, accompanied by her K-9 partner Maverick, for her dedication and contributions to CDFW’s Law Enforcement Division.

Serving as a wildlife officer since 2018, Decker’s patrols have taken her up and down the coastline of California assisting other wildlife officers in need. Decker was also commended for her abilities as a trainer of other wildlife officers, passing on her expertise in everything from field response to first-aid treatment that can be life saving for officers working in remote locations.

“In the short time on patrol, Decker became relied upon as an exceptionally dedicated officer, investigator and a true asset to CDFW,” said CDFW Chief of Law Enforcement Nathaniel Arnold.

The Commission approved a major amendment request to expand an experimental fishing permit (EFP) testing pop-up gear in the California Dungeness crab and hagfish fisheries. The EFP aims to minimize whale entanglements in these commercial fisheries.

As recommended by the Commission’s Marine Resources Committee, the Commission also granted 12 actions for marine protected area (MPA) regulation changes that will be considered by the Commission in a future rulemaking and seven non-regulatory requests related to color-coding different types of MPAs. Color-coded MPA maps help the public identify and understand differences in regulations.

Commission President Samantha Murray, Vice President Erika Zavaleta and commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin, Eric Sklar and Darius Anderson participated in person, with Commission and department staff present throughout the meeting. Commissioners Sklar and Anderson were not in attendance for the second day of the meeting.

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 California Fish and Game Commission meeting is scheduled to occur in Sacramento Feb. 12-13, 2025. Participants can attend via Zoom, phone or in person at the Natural Resources Headquarters Building’s auditorium, 715 P St., Sacramento.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications, (916) 204-1381

California Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meeting

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 17:13:30 GMT

At its June 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 Sacramento with an option for the public to join via Zoom.

The Commission determined that listing Greater sage-grouse as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act may be warranted. This commences a one-year status review to be completed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and Greater sage-grouse is protected as a candidate species during that time.

During the CDFW Law Enforcement Division report, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of the division David Bess announced that Lt. Specialist Trevor Pell was named 2022 Wildlife Officer of the Year.

The Commission and CDFW jointly announced that San Diego Deputy City Attorney Jordan DuBois was named Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year.

The Commission authorized publication of a notice of intent to amend regulations related to commercial use of small-scale lampara gear by Humboldt Bay herring permittees.

The Commission approved two experimental fishing permits: one for Sustainable Seas Technology to test pop-up systems and conduct exploratory fishing for brown box and king crab and one for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to test fishing gear innovations including pop-up systems for the California commercial Dungeness crab fishery.

Commission President Eric Sklar, Vice President Erika Zavaleta and Commissioners Samantha Murray and Anthony Williams were present during the day one of meeting. Commissioner Williams was absent on day two and Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin was absent both days.

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

Trevor Pell Named Wildlife Officer of the Year

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:50:34 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce Lieutenant Specialist Trevor Pell as the 2022 Wildlife Officer of the Year.

A recent adjudication for a complex investigation is an example of Lt. Pell’s capabilities that earned him the nomination. In July of 2019, Pell followed up on a tip about unlawful non-native abalone trafficking out of Los Angeles. Wildlife officers discovered live non-native abalone were being unlawfully sold at a Los Angeles market. They purchased specimens from the market and confirmed they were non-native disk abalone. As lead investigator, Lt. Pell determined at least 797 non-native disk abalone were illegally imported through Los Angeles International Airport from South Korea without a restricted species permit.

All non-native abalone species are prohibited from importation into California to avoid the introduction of an exotic species to local waters and the diseases they potentially carry that could affect native populations, including the endangered white and black abalone. In March of 2023, the case adjudicated and resulted in more than $174,000 in civil penalties with a $20,000 payment to the Californians Turn in Poachers and Polluters (CalTIP) reward fund. The case is just one example of Lt. Pell’s many outstanding investigations.

Lt. Pell’s expertise in restricted and exotic species laws has also contributed to cases involving illegal importation or possession of wildlife ranging from Chinese mitten crab to rattlesnakes to a capybara. His commitment to ensuring exotic animals receive an appropriate level of care by restricted species permit holders has positively affected the animals living in those facilities.

Lt. Pell is thorough, detailed and determined in his pursuit of justice. He is a considered a reliable resource by district attorneys and city attorneys, federal prosecutors, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, and wildlife officers from other states. His pursuit of civil fines and penalties has contributed to the wildlife preservation fund and the CalTIP program.

“Selecting a Wildlife Officer of the Year out of California’s extraordinarily dedicated wildlife officers is one of my most difficult but rewarding duties,” said David Bess, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of the Law Enforcement Division. “Lt. Pell’s commitment to excellence in wildlife law enforcement represents the best in our division.”

Lt. Pell is a resource to fellow CDFW wildlife officers as he is frequently contacted as a subject matter expert for restrictive species, falconry, wildlife trafficking, ports/illegal importation enforcement and broadly as a wildlife officer in general. He continually works to push the boundaries of his already advanced capabilities.

These qualities have contributed to Lt. Pell being named the 2022 CDFW Wildlife Officer of the Year and CDFW congratulates him.

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Media Contact:
Capt. Patrick Foy, CDFW Law Enforcement, (916) 508-7095

San Diego Area Wildlife Officer is CDFW’s 2021 Wildlife Officer of the Year

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 11:23:44 GMT

Warden Austin Smith has been named 2021 Wildlife Officer of the Year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced.

Warden Smith started his wildlife officer career in 2016 and has been an exceptional investigator, dedicated officer and a true asset to CDFW. Smith’s investigations have involved many deer, wild turkey and illegal firearms violations. He also took the initiative to learn various aspects of unlawful commercial fishing, becoming highly proficient at Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel investigations. In Smith’s first six years with CDFW, he issued a total of 1,345 citations.

In addition to Warden Smith’s crime-solving skills, he has also dedicated himself to supporting public safety. In late 2019, Smith participated in a multi-agency Search and Rescue mission at the CDFW-managed Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area in rural San Diego County. A woman who was hiking the area had been reported missing by her husband. Smith used traditional tracking skills by following her footsteps away from her parked vehicle. Tracking is a skill lost to most of society and mastered by even fewer. Smith followed the tracks for several miles into the wildlife area and located the injured, dehydrated and disoriented woman. Smith transported the woman back to the parking lot where she was met and treated by paramedics.

And despite his short tenure in the Law Enforcement Division, Warden Smith makes it a priority to mentor probationary wildlife officers as a POST-certified Field Training Officer. He is also a designated arrest and control instructor, TASER instructor and evidence custodian.

“Warden Smith is very deserving of this award for his contributions to protecting our precious resources and keeping the citizens of California safe,” said David Bess, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of the Law Enforcement Division.

CDFW is thankful to Warden Smith as his singularly distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself, CDFW and the State of California. But the best “thank you” Warden Smith could ever receive was back in 2021 in the parking lot of the Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area. A man approached him in the lot and not immediately recognizing him, described to Smith how he loved wildlife officers. The man said he was extremely grateful to them as one had saved his lost wife’s life at the same wildlife area a few years earlier. That officer was indeed Warden Austin Smith.

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Media Contact:
Capt. Patrick Foy, CDFW Law Enforcement Division

Photo:
Warden Austin Smith, CDFW file photo