Morro Manzanita Gets CESA Listing; New MPA Petition Recommendations Guide Commission Toward Decisions Expected in October
Out of a collaboration between conservation advocates and the solar energy industry, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) at its Aug. 12-13 meeting adopted regulations that allow qualifying solar projects to move forward while also protecting the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) candidate species western spadefoot frog.
Last week, commissioners found that listing western spadefoot as a CESA-protected species may be warranted, giving it CESA candidacy and protections, and initiating a one-year scientific study of the species. In the months leading up to the candidacy decision, the Center for Biological Diversity, which submitted the petition to list the northern population of western spadefoot as threatened and the southern population as endangered under CESA, worked with the Large-scale Solar Association to propose exceptions to CESA protections that could be allowed under Fish and Game Code Section 2084.
“This is an opportunity for California to demonstrate collaborative work to achieve clean-energy goals and environmental and conservation benefits that are compatible,” said Commission President Eric Sklar. “Everyone — the petitioner, the industry, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Commission staff — came to the table and took on terrific work to find a tailored solution that balances protecting our natural resources and keeping up with a growing California.”
Common ground for clean energy and species conservation was found for solar energy projects as they are in a position to leave some western spadefoot habitat intact. These projects will be required to take extensive measures to avoid impacts to the species while also mitigating for impacts with the construction of new habitat, such as ponds and reestablishing native grasslands.
Current abundance estimates are needed for the tiny, 1-to-3-inch-long western spadefoot that is experiencing population decline and may no longer be present in some of its historical range. The species faces threats such as loss and fragmentation of its habitat in California’s foothills, Central Valley and central and southern coast, largely due to urban and agricultural development.
Morro Manzanita
The Commission voted unanimously to list Morro manzanita as a threatened species under CESA. Morro manzanita is found only in San Luis Obispo County and faces present and potential future threats, including the loss of habitat to development, a geographically restricted distribution, changes in fire frequency and severity, fire fuels reduction activities and disease.
Recommended management and recovery actions for the species include, but are not limited to, protecting remaining Morro manzanita habitat, removing eucalyptus trees, seed collection and fire impact research.
Marine Protected Area Petitions
Commissioners received and heard presentations on new evaluations, initial assessments and recommendations from California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and Ocean Protection Council (OPC) staff regarding 15 marine protected area (MPA) petitions the Commission is expected to consider at its October 2026 meeting. Five of the 15 petitions are tribally led or co-led.
The petitions include 67 proposed regulatory and non-regulatory changes to the MPA Network that include adding a tribal take exemption, renaming an MPA, creating new MPAs, expanding boundaries of existing MPAs and changes to take allowances for recreational and/or commercial fisheries in specific MPAs.
The Commission held a series of regional meetings April and May to hear public input on the petitions. All petitions, evaluations and recommendations from CDFW, OPC policy recommendations and the initial assessment related to advancing the Commission Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy and addressing equitable access are available online through the MPA Management Program Petition StoryMap.
Comments, questions and supplemental information on the petitions should be submitted to the Commission.
Sport Fishing Regulations
The Commission adopted amendments to sport fishing regulations related to fishing gear, measuring and sampling restrictions, low-flow conditions, and steelhead fishing report and restoration cards. The amendments also increase fishing opportunities and protective changes for vulnerable fish populations.
Details on the sport fishing regulation amendments can be found in the August staff summary and exhibits.
Meeting Participation and Next Meeting
Commission Vice President Darius Anderson and commissioners Samantha Murray and Erica Zavaleta were in attendance for both days of the June Commission meeting. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin was in attendance for the first day; Commission President Eric Sklar was in attendance the first day and part of the morning portion of the second day. The meeting was held in Sacramento.
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 regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Oct. 13-16, 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 meetings page.
The Commission authorized public notice of upcoming potential regulation changes related to:
Use of Native Rattlesnakes: A discussion hearing is scheduled for the Oct. 13-16 Commission meeting and an adoption hearing is scheduled for the Dec. 15-16 meeting on amendments to regulations regarding use and possession of native rattlesnakes.
Mammal Trapping Consistency with Statute: A discussion hearing is scheduled for the Oct. 13-16 Commission meeting and an adoption hearing at the Dec. 15-16 meeting regarding amendments to regulations related to mammal trapping to align regulations with California Fish and Game Code, and to clarify existing mammal trapping provisions.
Process to Conform State Recreational Fishing Regulations to Federal Regulations: An adoption hearing is scheduled for the Oct. 13-16 Commission meeting on amendments to regulations related to the process to conform state ocean salmon and Pacific halibut recreational fishing regulations to federal regulations. The amendments would also add federal groundfish to the list of species where an automatic process to conform regulations can be used.
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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Alicia de la Garza, CDFW Communications, (916) 754-7237