CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsCalifornia Fish and Game Commission Adopts 2024 Groundfish Regulationshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-fish-and-game-commission-adopts-2024-groundfish-regulationsFisheriesWed, 27 Mar 2024 18:47:00 GMTYesterday, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) unanimously approved changes to the 2024 groundfish season opening dates, fishing depths and bag limits.<p>Yesterday, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) unanimously approved changes to the 2024 groundfish season opening dates, fishing depths and bag limits. In 2023, most groundfish seasons offshore of California were cut due to exceeding federal catch limits on quillback rockfish, a now federally-declared overfished species. The new changes provide additional fishing opportunities compared to 2023, but come with new requirements that anglers need to be aware of. The new regulations are anticipated to be effective in early April.</p> <p>The measures adopted by the Commission will work in combination with regulations for federal waters and serve to largely avoid quillback rockfish in their primary depth range between 20 fathoms (120 feet) and 50 fathoms (300 feet) off the coast of northern and central California. One key element of the new regulations is the availability of new waypoints that define a <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Groundfish#287201301-20-fm-line">20-fathom boundary line</a>, which allows fishing to occur only shoreward of this line. Within several groundfish management areas (GMAs), a 20-fathom or 50-fathom ‘Inshore Fishery’ will take place during the 2024 season, allowing opportunities to retain <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=36305&inline">nearshore</a>, shelf and slope rockfish, lingcod, cabezon and greenling.</p> <p>Alternatively, during months when there is an ‘offshore only fishery’, fishing for groundfish will only be allowed seaward of the 50-fathom boundary line, and only <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=36552&inline">shelf rockfish</a>, <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=36553&inline">slope rockfish</a> and lingcod may be retained. Take and possession of nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenling are prohibited during the offshore fishery.</p> <p>Divers and shore-based anglers will continue to be exempt from boat-based season restrictions affecting rockfish and other federally managed groundfish, which allows for year-round diving and shore-based angling, in line with current regulations.</p> <p>The Commission also approved a requirement that a descending device be carried aboard and available for immediate use on any vessel taking or possessing any species of federal groundfish. Descending devices are used to send fish back to the depth from which they were taken resulting in considerably higher survival rates for rockfish suffering <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Groundfish/Barotrauma">barotrauma</a> compared to being released at the water's surface. Members of the public, along with representatives of recreational fishing organizations, have recently advocated for a descending device requirement in order to improve survivorship of released fish.</p> <p>Another key element of the new regulations is the division of the central GMA at 36º N. latitude (near Point Lopez). This split provides opportunities to anglers in areas south of 36º N. latitude which historically have little to no catch of quillback rockfish.</p> <p>To protect vermilion rockfish, another species for which catches have exceeded allowable federal harvest limits in recent years, the sub-limit will be reduced to two fish within the Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenling complex 10-fish limit, in the Mendocino, San Francisco, central and southern GMAs. The vermilion rockfish 4-fish sub-limit will remain for the northern GMA. <span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"></span></p> <p>All recreational GMAs in California are scheduled for six months of all-depth or inshore fishing opportunity in 2024. A summary of the 2024 seasons for each GMA approved by the Commission is provided below.</p> <ul> <li>Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco and Central GMA North of 36º N. Latitude: <ul> <li>Jan. 1- Mar. 31: Closed</li> <li>Apr. 1 – Apr. 30: 50 fathoms offshore only fishery</li> <li>May 1 – Sept. 30: 20 fathoms inshore fishery</li> <li>Oct. 1 – Oct. 31: 50 fathoms offshore only fishery</li> <li>Nov. 1 – Nov. 30: 20 fathoms inshore only fishery</li> <li>Dec. 1 – Dec. 31: 50 fathoms offshore only fishery</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"></span></p> <ul> <li>Central GMA South of 36º N. Latitude & Southern Management Area: <ul> <li>Jan. 1 – Mar. 31: Closed</li> <li>Apr. 1 – June 30: All depth fishery</li> <li>July 1 – Sept. 30: 50 fathoms inshore fishery</li> <li>Oct. 1 – Dec. 31: 50 fathoms offshore only fishery</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"></span></p> <p>The 2024 groundfish seasons are expected to be reviewed and approved by the Office of Administrative Law and take effect in state waters in early April. The Commission and California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff have worked diligently to expedite the adoption of state regulations to allow boat-based anglers to get on the water beginning in April. Until the 2024 regulations are approved, the 2023 regulations remain in effect.</p> <p>Once the regulations become effective, CDFW’s <a href="https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Groundfish-Summary">Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations</a> web page will be updated with 2024 regulations. Before fishing, anglers should refer to this web page for the season openings and other regulatory information.<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"></span></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Kerri.Foote@wildlife.ca.gov">Kerri Foote,</a> CDFW Marine Region, (916) 899-3921<br /> <a href="mailto:steve.gonzalez@wildlife.ca.gov">Steve Gonzalez,</a> CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</em></p> California Offers Abundant Opportunities for 2024 Spring Turkey Seasonhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-offers-abundant-opportunities-for-2024-spring-turkey-seasonLicensingWed, 27 Mar 2024 13:33:33 GMTCalifornia’s general spring turkey season opens statewide March 30, and runs through May 5.<p>California’s general spring turkey season opens statewide March 30, and runs through May 5. With growing populations of wild turkeys in many parts of the state, spring turkey season has become one of the more anticipated opportunities on the hunting calendar.  <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span></p> <p paraeid="{8ed4dfea-f594-486d-9539-789a2be373e2}{15}" paraid="1043474664">The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will host a variety of special turkey hunts throughout the spring turkey hunting season. This spring season kicked off with an exclusive junior weekend March 23-24, followed by the general season beginning this weekend. An additional junior season aligns with the archery-only season, which trails the general season from May 6-19.   <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span></p> <p paraeid="{8ed4dfea-f594-486d-9539-789a2be373e2}{47}" paraid="1059463854">Wild turkeys are resilient and have expanded their populations throughout California. Although drought and wildfire have caused their populations to fluctuate over the past decade, responsible hunting and conservation practices have helped ensure turkeys and their habitats are sustained. Managed hunting prevents overpopulation, supports habitat conservation and contributes funding toward broader wildlife management goals.  <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span></p> <p paraeid="{8ed4dfea-f594-486d-9539-789a2be373e2}{87}" paraid="1470833553">CDFW Advanced Hunter Education (AHE) Program and Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) Initiative have video resources for participants interested in beginning their turkey hunting journey. Check out the AHE webinars on: <a href="https://youtu.be/qSs4LgT-r3o" target="_blank">Turkey Hunting 101</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch2uTsFQJ1g" target="_blank">Turkey Calling and Turkey Talk</a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/CDYV3-NB9nM" target="_blank">Turkey Hunting with A Junior or New Hunter</a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/4dhpD3IFbaU" target="_blank">Archery Turkey Hunting</a> and the R3 Harvest Huddle Hour dedicated to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_7Y8vFb3qk" target="_blank">An Introduction to Turkey Hunting</a>.   <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span></p> <p paraeid="{8ed4dfea-f594-486d-9539-789a2be373e2}{128}" paraid="1747445560">Dozens of CDFW-managed wildlife areas will be open to wild turkey hunting on a walk-in basis throughout the season. Please visit the <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands" target="_blank">CDFW Lands </a>web page for a listing of wildlife areas and the recreational opportunities available at each.   <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span></p> <p paraeid="{8ed4dfea-f594-486d-9539-789a2be373e2}{149}" paraid="555850398">Shooting hours for spring turkeys are from one half-hour before sunrise to 5 p.m. Both a valid California hunting license and upland game bird validation are required to hunt wild turkeys. An Upland Game Bird Validation is not required for junior hunting license holders.  <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span></p> <p paraeid="{8ed4dfea-f594-486d-9539-789a2be373e2}{163}" paraid="1358203228">Hunters are limited to one bearded turkey per day with a spring season limit of three birds.  <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span></p> <p paraeid="{8ed4dfea-f594-486d-9539-789a2be373e2}{175}" paraid="964441115">Nonlead shot is required when hunting with a firearm anywhere in the state. Crossbows may be used for the general turkey season but not during archery season without a <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Hunting#994193-reduced-fee" target="_blank">disabled archers permit</a> (Form can be found at the bottom of the web page). For more information on regulations, visit the CDFW <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Regulations" target="_blank">Hunting Regulations</a> site.   <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span></p> <p paraeid="{8ed4dfea-f594-486d-9539-789a2be373e2}{209}" paraid="300230106">Regulations regarding turkey season can be found on the <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Upland-Game-Birds" target="_blank">Upland Game Bird Hunting</a> web page. Please also visit <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Closures" target="_blank">CDFW’s Emergency Closures</a> site to stay up to date on information regarding land closures.   <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span></p> <p paraeid="{28c1200a-307b-4ebf-bd31-f322a405872b}{12}" paraid="2100631442"> ###  <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span></p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:  </strong><br /> <a href="mailto:taylor.williams@wildlife.ca.gov" target="_blank">Taylor Williams</a>, CDFW R3 Manager, (916) 203-1362  <br /> <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span><a href="mailto:matt.meshriy@wildlife.ca.gov" target="_blank">Matt Meshriy</a>, CDFW Upland Game Biologist, (916) 801-8708  </em><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"></span></p> CDFW Busts Poaching Ring in Unlawful Fish Sales Casehttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-busts-poaching-ring-in-unlawful-fish-sales-caseLaw EnforcementWed, 20 Mar 2024 11:26:07 GMTCDFW law enforcement uncovered a network of recreational fishermen engaged in commercial fishing businesses with no regard to limits, documentation or adhering to the highly regulated business practices of the commercial fishing industry.<p>California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) law enforcement uncovered a network of recreational fishermen engaged in commercial fishing businesses with no regard to limits, documentation or adhering to the highly regulated business practices of the commercial fishing industry. The investigation revealed more than 5,500 pounds of fish were unlawfully bought and sold for more than $26,000.</p> <p>Wildlife officers investigated David Haworth, 60, of San Diego, and Nicholas Haworth, 28, of La Jolla, who were buying and selling recreationally caught fish, failing to land fish (documenting the fish once it reaches land), facilitating the operation of an unlicensed fish business and falsifying landing documents to hide their poaching crimes.</p> <p>CDFW officers spent more than six months on the investigation revealing evidence that the Haworths were illegally buying, and re-selling recreationally caught fish through associations with a network of recreational fishermen.</p> <p>Wildlife officers obtained evidence that Lucas Dirkse, 29, of San Diego, Mitchell Bradford, 36, of San Diego, Brandon Demelo, 24, of San Diego, Tanner Whitmarsh, 30, of El Cajon, Trevor Whitmarsh, 25, of El Cajon and David Brown, 68, of San Diego, were selling fish to the Haworths. By selling fish to the Haworths, participants engaged in numerous illegal fishing activities including failure to register as a commercial fishing vessel, failing to obtain required permits through the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, selling fish caught on a commercial passenger fishing vessel and falsifying documents among many more violations.</p> <p>“Letting these crimes continue without robust enforcement and prosecution jeopardizes the sustainability of California’s commercial fishing industry and the majority of those commercial fishers who comply with the law,” said Nathaniel Arnold, acting chief of CDFW’s Law Enforcement Division. “Illegal sales of recreationally caught fish bypasses both paths for sampling and accounting of total catch.”</p> <ul> <li>Nicholas Haworth pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful sale of recreationally caught fish, agreeing to community service and a $10,000 fine.</li> <li>David Haworth received court-ordered diversion for unlawful sale of recreationally caught fish and agreed to community service and agreed to host six events feeding fish meals to the homeless through the local food bank.</li> <li>Mitchell Bradford pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sale of recreationally caught fish, agreeing to community service and a $5,000 fine.</li> <li>Lucas Dirkse pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sale of recreationally caught fish, agreeing to community service and a $5,000 fine.</li> <li>Brandon Demelo pleaded guilty to unlawful sale of recreationally caught fish, agreeing to community service and a $5,000 fine.</li> <li>Tanner and Trevor Whitmarsh were charged civilly for unfair business practices and agreed to a fine of $60,000 each.</li> <li>David Brown failed to appear at his arraignment and has an active warrant for his arrest.</li> </ul> <p>“Many of us live in San Diego because we appreciate the region’s natural wonders, including the fish that populate our rivers and oceans,” said San Diego City Attorney Mara W. Elliott. “California’s strict environmental laws exist for one reason: to protect nature and to ensure its existence for generations to come. Our ability to enjoy the outdoors depends on vigorous enforcement and prosecution of the laws that preserve our surroundings.”</p> <p>California fisheries biologists and their federal partners manage the recreational and commercial fishing sectors separately, and each has individual rules and regulations to ensure the harvest of marine species is sustainable. Many fish stocks have strict quotas, limiting total commercial catch and restricting recreational catches. Both state and federal scientists collect biological data for landed fish, which feeds into abundance estimates, international negotiations, and domestic management. Commercial catches are carefully weighed and reported when taken off the boat to account for the amount removed from the fish populations. Estimates of recreational catch are also reported, sampled at launch areas, and used in stock assessments and management.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Patrick.Foy@wildlife.ca.gov">Capt. Patrick Foy</a>, CDFW Law Enforcement, (916) 508-7095</em></p> CDFW is Requesting Public Feedback for the Western Joshua Tree Programhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-is-requesting-public-feedback-for-the-western-joshua-tree-programSpeciesWed, 13 Mar 2024 13:27:25 GMTJoin CDFW Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon, for a virtual meeting on the development of a western Joshua tree conservation plan.<p>Please join the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon for a virtual meeting on the development of a western Joshua tree conservation plan. <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jpz9KpQOSWuq4UgF0Pp_7A#/registration"><strong>Register for this meeting</strong></a>.</p> <p>Preparation of this conservation plan is required by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA). Consultation and collaboration with California Native American tribes, governmental agencies and the public is required by the act and is integral for the successful development and implementation of the conservation plan.</p> <p>The WJTCA is a California law enacted in July 2023 to conserve the culturally and ecologically important western Joshua tree and its habitat while supporting the state’s renewable energy and housing priorities. The conservation plan will describe management actions necessary to conserve the species, objective and measurable criteria to assess the effectiveness of those actions, guidance to avoid and minimize impacts to the species and protocols for the successful relocation of western Joshua trees.</p> <p>During the meeting, CDFW will present a brief overview of the act, a status update on CDFW’s implementation of the WTJCA and ideas for conservation strategies currently in development.</p> <p>Questions or comments may be submitted at any time before or after the meeting by emailing <a href="mailto:WJT@wildlife.ca.gov.">WJT@wildlife.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p>For more information, visit the <a href="/Conservation/Environmental-Review/WJT">Western Joshua Tree Conservation page</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Andrew.Kaiser@wildlife.ca.gov">Drew Kaiser</a>, Senior Environmental Scientist, (916) 224-6469<br /> <a href="mailto:steve.gonzalez@wildlife.ca.gov">Steve Gonzalez</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> Santa Barbara Commercial Lobster Fisherman Convicted for Abandoning Trapshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/santa-barbara-commercial-lobster-fisherman-convicted-for-abandoning-trapsLaw EnforcementTue, 05 Mar 2024 13:54:40 GMTCDFW has announced the successful prosecution and conviction of a Santa Barbara commercial lobster fisherman on a multitude of commercial lobster fishing violations.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced the successful prosecution and conviction of a Santa Barbara commercial lobster fisherman on a multitude of commercial lobster fishing violations.</p> <p>Christopher Miller, 67, of Los Alamos, was recently convicted in Santa Barbara Superior Court. Miller pled guilty to falsifying commercial fishing records, harvesting lobster out of season, then abandoning at least 156 commercial lobster traps around Santa Cruz Island and the Santa Barbara Harbor. It was Miller’s third commercial lobster poaching conviction since 2014.</p> <p>After closure of the 2021-22 commercial lobster season, and after being ordered to remove his lobster traps by CDFW wildlife officers, Miller failed to retrieve any of his traps from state waters. Abandoned trap gear is a significant and detrimental hazard to California’s valuable marine resources.</p> <p>Having been abandoned, Miller’s lobster traps continued to capture marine wildlife that was unable to escape or be released, which would have otherwise happened during required removal and servicing. Fish and lobster in Miller’s traps continued to die from no longer being able to forage or hunt for food, then served as attractants for other fish and wildlife that became trapped, perpetuating the cycle. Abandoned gear has the potential to increase the likelihood of entanglement with marine wildlife and can even be a hazard to human safety and navigation. Miller ultimately pled guilty to the violations and was ordered to pay $19,340 in restitution.</p> <p>“The vast majority of California’s commercial lobster fishers abide by the law and provide Californians with sustainable, high quality locally harvested seafood,” said Nathaniel Arnold, Acting Chief of the CDFW Law Enforcement Division. “Abandoning 156 lobster traps and ignoring other commercial lobster fishing regulations adds up to a significant detrimental impact on the fishery and will always be a high priority investigation for our wildlife officers.”</p> <p>CDFW’s Law Enforcement patrol boat crews worked tirelessly for months to remove the abandoned traps throughout the investigation. Due to the overwhelming amount of gear, the California Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project, a nongovernmental organization funded through the California Coastal Commission, assisted CDFW Law Enforcement with removal of the derelict gear.</p>