CDFW News

California Fish and Game Commission Finds CESA Protections Warranted for Southern California and Central Coast Mountain Lion

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:43:22 GMT

In Other Regulatory Action, Commission Streamlines Charitable Donation of Sport-Caught Fish

The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) at its Feb. 11-12 meeting voted to list mountain lion populations in parts of southern California and the central coast as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

In a unanimous vote, the Commission determined that listing a distinct population segment of mountain lions in southern California and the central coast is warranted due to threats such as habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and isolation of small populations as a result of expanding human infrastructure, among others. The Commission considered presentations from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on its species status review and from the listing petitioner the Center for Biological Diversity, as well as public comment. The Commission will adopt its findings at a future meeting.

“This segment of the mountain lion population is clearly at risk from distinct threats,” said President Eric Sklar. “Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation by roads, freeways and housing, and mortality from vehicle strikes, rodenticides and risks of isolation and inbreeding would lead to the extinction of these mountain lions if we remained on the same trajectory.”

Following the 1974 ban on hunting mountain lions in California, in 1990 voters approved Proposition 117, which designated mountain lion a specially protected mammal in the state and established some exemptions for lethal removal of mountain lions to preserve public safety and to protect private property and livestock. The Commission noted that those statutory provisions remain intact and that this listing is focused specifically on preventing the potential loss of the identified population segment through science-based management and conservation action.

Donation of Sport-Caught Fish

The Commission adopted regulatory amendments related to processing and donating sport-caught fish. Sport fishing license holders who exchange fish for processing will be able to donate their fish to charities directly through fish processors rather than having to deliver the fish themselves as presently allowed. The adopted amendments streamline the donation of sport-caught fish to nonprofit organizations, California Native American tribes, public schools within a California unified school district and California city or county government programs. The changes will provide sport fishing license holders the opportunity to support nonprofit, community, school and tribal initiatives addressing food insecurity, access and distribution.

Commission Elections, Committee Assignments and Meeting Participation

In its first meeting of 2026, Commissioner Eric Sklar was elected Commission president and Commissioner Darius Anderson vice president. The Commission moved to retain Marine Resources, Wildlife Resources and Tribal Committee co-chair assignments — Sklar and Commissioner Samantha Murray will continue to serve on the Marine Resources Committee, Anderson and Commissioner Erica Zavaleta on the Wildlife Resources Committee and Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin on the Tribal Committee.

Sklar, Zavaleta and Murray were in attendance for both days of the February Commission meeting held in Sacramento; Hostler-Carmesin and Anderson were absent both meeting dates.

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 meeting of the Commission is scheduled for April 15-16, 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:

Central Valley and Klamath River Basin sport fishing regulations: A discussion hearing is scheduled for April 15-16 and an adoption hearing for May 6 on proposed amendments related to Central Valley and Klamath River Basin sport fishing regulations.

Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Jen Benedet, CDFW Communications, (916) 202-4465

California Fish and Game Commission Extends Red Abalone Recreational Fishery Closure, Finds CESA Listing of Bear Lake Buckwheat Warranted

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 11:27:02 GMT

In a move to protect red abalone populations that have suffered drastic population decline, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) at its Dec. 10-11 meeting extended the red abalone recreational fishery closure 10 years. The Commission also approved listing Bear Lake buckwheat as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and received the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) status review report for mountain lion in the central coast and southern parts of California.

The Commission unanimously voted to adopt regulatory amendments to extend the red abalone recreational fishery closure in Northern California until April 1, 2036. The Commission determined that continuing the closure is necessary to protect red abalone and help facilitate its restoration.

California's red abalone population suffered a drastic decline, approximately 85%, following the 2014 kelp forest collapse triggered by a marine heatwave. The loss of kelp greatly contributed to this decline and the increase in purple sea urchin densities prevent kelp recovery, abalone’s primary food source. CDFW will be supporting abalone restoration through the development of a statewide red abalone restoration plan that will include robust and adaptive strategies to support abalone populations.

The Commission determined that listing Bear Lake buckwheat as an endangered species under CESA is warranted and will adopt its findings at a future meeting. CDFW’s Native Plant Program reported that a September 2025 survey counted as few as 744 Bear Lake buckwheat plants over 1.5 acres of land not far from the shores of human-made Big Bear Lake in Southern California. That 1.5 acres is the only location in the world where this rare, small shrub is known to grow. Bear Lake buckwheat faces threats including habitat destruction and human disturbances.

The Commission received CDFW’s status review report for mountain lion in the central coast and southern parts of California. The status review report follows the Commission’s April 16, 2020, decision that a petition may be warranted to list mountain lion species in those portions of California as threatened or endangered under CESA. CDFW found that these mountain lion populations are discrete, significant and imperiled, and recommended the Commission identify a distinct population segment of mountain lions to be listed as threatened. The report contains the most current information available on mountain lion in in the central coast and southern parts of California and serves as the basis for CDFW’s recommendation to the Commission. The Commission is expected to consider the recommendation and petitioned action at an upcoming meeting. For additional information on the listing process and CDFW’s prepared status review, please see Petitions to List Species Under the California Endangered Species Act.

Meeting Participation and Next Meeting

Commission President Erika Zavaleta, Vice President Samantha Murray and Commissioner Eric Sklar were in attendance for both days of the December Commission meeting held in Sacramento; Commissioner Hostler-Carmesin was absent for a portion of the Dec. 10 meeting and Commissioner Darius Anderson was absent both meeting dates.

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 meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Feb. 11-12, 2026, 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:

Waterfowl hunting: A discussion hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 and an adoption hearing April 15-16 on proposed amendments to waterfowl hunting regulations to comply with proposed frameworks for 2026-27 hunting seasons approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Bighorn sheep hunting: A discussion hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 and an adoption hearing April 15-16 on proposed regulation changes for the 2026-27 bighorn sheep hunting season.

Pronghorn antelope hunting: A discussion hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 and an adoption hearing April 15-16 on recommended regulation changes for the 2026-27 pronghorn antelope hunting season.

Elk hunting: A discussion hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 and an adoption hearing April 15-16 on recommended regulation changes for 2026-27 elk hunting seasons.

Black bear hunting: A discussion hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 and an adoption hearing April 15-16 on proposed amendments to black bear hunting regulations.

Commercial coonstripe shrimp fishery: A discussion and adoption hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 on proposed amendments to regulations governing the commercial coonstripe shrimp trap fishery.

Processing and donating sport-caught fish: A discussion and adoption hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 on proposed amendments to regulations regarding processing and donating sport-caught fish.

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

CDFW Seeks Public Comment Related to Gerry’s Curly-Leaved Monardella

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:13:51 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking data and public comments on a petition to list Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella (Monardella sinuata subsp. gerryi) under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella is an annual herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae) that occurs in the Camarillo and Las Posas Hills in Ventura County. Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella is restricted to soil derived from Las Posas sand. The species has been documented from just three occurrences with fewer than 500 individuals in total. Threats to Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella include agricultural conversion, development, land clearing and grading, maintenance and construction of roads or trails, nonnative plants, vegetation succession and erosion.

On February 19, 2025, the California Native Plant Society submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) to list Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella as an endangered species under CESA. The Commission published findings of its decision to make the species a candidate for listing as an endangered species on October 24, 2025, and as such, Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella now receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species (Fish and Game Code sections 2074.2 and 2085).

As of October 24, 2025, CDFW has 12 months to conduct a status review that will inform the Commission’s final decision on whether to list Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella as endangered under CESA. As part of the status review process, CDFW is soliciting information regarding the species’ ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival, the adequacy of existing management and recommendations for management of the species.

CDFW respectfully requests that data and comments be submitted before February 2, 2026, to allow sufficient time to evaluate this information during the status review period. Submit comments and general information on the petitioned action to CDFW’s Native Plant Program by email at NativePlants@wildlife.ca.gov and include “Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella” in the subject line. Comments may also be submitted by mail to California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Native Plant Program, Attn: Kristi Lazar, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090. If you have occurrence data on Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella, visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CNDDB/Submitting-Data for data submission instructions or contact CDFW’s California Natural Diversity Database at CNDDB@wildlife.ca.gov. Please note that any information you submit (including your contact information) will become part of the public record and may be disclosed in response to a Public Records Act request.

CDFW will produce a peer-reviewed report based upon the best scientific information available, which will include a recommendation as to whether the petitioned action to list Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella as endangered under CESA is warranted (Fish and Game Code section 2074.6). The report will be made publicly available on CDFW’s website for at least 30 days before the Commission considers acting on the petition. Please note, the Commission — which is a legally separate entity from CDFW — is charged with making the final determination on whether to list a species as endangered or threatened under CESA (Fish and Game Code section 2075.5). CDFW serves in a scientific advisory role to the Commission during this process. See the California Fish and Game Commission webpage for details on submitting comments to the Commission and receiving email alerts for upcoming Commission meetings.

The listing petition, CDFW’s petition evaluation report and updates on the listing process are available on the Commission’s website.

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Media Contacts:
Kristi Lazar, CDFW Native Plant Program, (916) 594-5425
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

California Fish and Game Commission: No maximum size limit adopted for striped bass; CESA evaluation coming for one of state’s rarest plants

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:12:13 GMT

After years of discussion and consideration of public comment and scientific research, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) did not approve a proposed regulation amendment to set a maximum size limit for recreational striped bass fishing. This decision and regulatory action affecting California’s natural resources took place at the Commission’s October 8-9 meeting in Sacramento.

For recreational striped bass harvest, proposed regulatory amendments requested through an externally submitted petition would have kept the minimum size limit at 18-inches and set a maximum length limit at 30 inches for harvest of striped bass in anadromous waters. The petition’s stated goal was to protect larger, mature fish. The Commission voted 3-2 to not set a maximum size limit.

California Endangered Species Act (CESA) candidacy was granted for Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella and Pacific pocket mouse. Commissioners found sufficient scientific information to warrant possible CESA listings.

Gerry’s curly-leaved monardella is considered one of California’s rarest plants and the Pacific pocket mouse was once thought extinct. Each face threats such as habitat loss due to development. These species will now receive CESA protections while a status review is underway for potential CESA listing.

The Commission adopted regulations adding invasive non-native mussels, including golden mussel, pond mussel and axe-head mussel, and green crab to the list of live animals restricted from importation, transportation and possession.

As part of an emergency regulation, golden mussel was added to the list of restricted species in December 2024 after the discovery of golden mussel in California in October 2024. Golden mussel was first detected in the Port of Stockton and have since spread from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta into other California waterways that receive water from the Delta.

Golden mussel, pond mussel, axe-head mussel and green crab pose threats to ecosystems, water infrastructure and economies. These invasive mussels can clog water pipelines, colonize inside boat engines and alter food webs affecting native species. Green crab outcompetes native species for food and habitat, disrupting marine ecosystems and threatening native fisheries; they also prey on farmed bivalves.

Inductees to the 2025 California Waterfowlers Hall of Fame were recognized at this Commission meeting. Fritz Reid, Mike Passaglia and Rex Carr were honored as individuals who have made significant contributions to enhance and conserve waterfowl and their habitats in California.

The closure of commercial bull kelp harvest in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties was extended through January 2029. Initially a three-year restriction on commercial bull kelp harvest from Sonoma County to the Oregon border was adopted in February 2022 in response to multi-year declines in bull kelp populations. Bull kelp has shown only limited reestablishment, warranting an extension.

Meeting Participation and Next Meeting

Commission President Erika Zavaleta, Vice President Samantha Murray and commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin, Eric Sklar and Darius Anderson were in attendance for both days of the October Commission meeting.

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 meeting of the Commission is scheduled for December 10-11 at the California Natural Resources Building, second floor, 715 P St., Sacramento. Participants are encouraged to attend in person, with options available for Zoom or phone; for the agenda and more information visit the Commission website.

The Commission authorized staff to notify the public of potential regulation changes related to:

Recreational take of groundfish (PDF) A discussion hearing is scheduled for December 10-11 and an adoption hearing Febuary 11-12 on proposed amendments to regulations regarding recreational take of rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod.

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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 Approves Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, Quino Checkerspot Butterfly CESA Candidacy and Increase in Fishing Opportunities for Recreational Groundfish

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:27:11 GMT

California Fish and Game Commission Approves Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, Quino Checkerspot Butterfly CESA Candidacy and Increase in Fishing Opportunities for Recreational Groundfish

The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) has approved the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, a living document that aims to conserve western Joshua trees pressured by habitat loss and a warming climate.

Other matters acted on by the Commission at its August 13-14 meeting include designating Quino checkerspot butterfly as a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), and adopting emergency regulations to reopen recreational rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod fisheries north of Point Conception.

Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan

The 2023 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act requires the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to develop the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan in collaboration with the Commission, other government agencies, California Native American tribes and the public.

The act also calls for CDFW to include tribal co-management principles, provide for the relocation of western Joshua trees to tribal lands upon request, and incorporate traditional ecological knowledge.

“The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act is the first state law for an iconic species that expressly directs CDFW to create a conservation plan that includes co-management with California Native American tribes,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “I appreciate this part of the act as being powerful — CDFW welcomes this.”

The final, approved plan will be available on the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan website in coming weeks. Information can be found online about recent revisions to Western Joshua Tree Relocation Guidelines and Protocols, as well as western Joshua tree conservation.

“The conservation plan is a living document, which was reaffirmed today with the most recent updates to the permitting and relocation guidelines,” said Commission President Erika Zavaleta. “Holistically, we have to keep improving the plan, use its flexibility to solve problems around competing interests and implement lessons as they arise, with the broad goal of conserving western Joshua tree while respecting and supporting the needs of our tribal partners and desert communities.”

Quino Checkerspot Butterfly

The Quino checkerspot butterfly was designated by the Commission as a candidate for CESA listing. The species now proceeds to the status review stage of the CESA process and is protected during that time.

Quino checkerspot butterflies have been extirpated from 75% of their historic range in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties due to threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, pollution, agriculture and climate change.

White Sturgeon

The Commission adopted amendments to regulations for the recreational take of CESA candidate white sturgeon, as well as changes to reporting requirements.

Catch-and-release fishing for white sturgeon will continue to be available for anglers as previously established by emergency regulations that were set to expire in September 2025. The adopted amendments also change the sturgeon fishing report card from a calendar-year-based season (January 1 through December 31) to align with the sturgeon fishing season that runs from Oct. 1 through June 30. Anglers will be able to get a sturgeon report card at no fee for the October 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, season to help accommodate this change. Sturgeon report cards will be $7.50 starting with the 2026-27 season.

When submitting the proposed new regulations to the Commission, CDFW Fisheries Branch Chief Jay Rowan stated, “The best available science suggests that non-lethal take via a catch-and-release fishery will not harm the long-term viability of white sturgeon in California.”

Recent results from white sturgeon monitoring surveys by CDFW suggest the white sturgeon population has continued to decline. Reasons for the population decline include mortality from harmful algal blooms and poor river and Delta conditions.

Groundfish

The Commission adopted emergency regulations to reopen recreational rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod fisheries to all depths north of Point Conception through the end of the calendar year. These emergency regulations, which also include a new sub-bag limit for canary rockfish, are expected to take effect in the next few weeks. To learn more about the adopted regulations, review the detailed press release.

Market Squid

The Commission approved proposed amendments to the Market Squid Fishery Management Plan (MSFMP).

The MSFMP was originally drafted over the course of five years and published in March 2005. In 2023, CDFW initiated a review process for the market squid fishery and convened a Squid Fishery Advisory Committee. The committee was charged with reviewing the fishery and advising CDFW on potential changes to improve California market squid fishery management. Many of the recommended changes are now amendments to the original MSFMP.

In a separate action, the Commission adopted regulatory amendments for the commercial take of market squid that implement new provisions of the revised MSFMP.

Additional Marine Topics

The Commission adopted a 90-day extension of emergency regulations related to the commercial take of coonstripe shrimp.

The Commission adopted regulatory amendments for recreational crab fishing gear. This includes a new commercial passenger fishing vessel (CPFV) trap validation that originated from a public request that will no longer require CPFV customers to purchase individual trap validations when fishing from CPFVs. The amendments also update the surface gear requirements for hoop nets (used north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County) to minimize the risk of whale entanglements.

Meeting Participation and Next Meeting

Commission President Erika Zavaleta and commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin and Eric Sklar were in attendance for both days of the August Commission meeting held in Sacramento. Vice President Samantha Murray and Commissioner Darius Anderson were absent.

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 meeting of the Commission is scheduled for October 8-9 in Sacramento. Participants are encouraged to attend in person, with options available for Zoom or phone; for the agenda and more information visit the Commission website.

The Commission authorized staff to notify the public of potential regulation changes related to:

Bull kelp harvest restrictions. A discussion and adoption hearing is scheduled for October 8-9 on temporary commercial bull kelp harvest restrictions along the north coast and closure of lease-only administrative kelp beds.

Recreational red abalone closure. A discussion hearing is scheduled for October 9-10 and an adoption hearing for December 11-12 on a 10-year extension of the red abalone recreational fishery closure.

Invasive mussels and green crab restricted species listing. An adoption hearing for a regular rulemaking is scheduled for October 8-9 to add the invasive, non-native golden mussel, pond mussel and axe-head mussel (among others), as well as green crab to the list of live animals restricted from importation, transportation and possession.

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Media Contacts:
Jen Benedet, Office of Communications, Education and Outreach, (916) 202-4465 
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120 