Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3901 Dec 20-Jan 3 | Page 23

Dec 20, 2019 - Jan 3, 2020 VOL.39 • ISS. 1 BODEGA BAY cont. day-use visitors. Final improvement to the launch parking area, fish cleaning station, kayak launch, and landscaping are on progress. - Dave Hurley HALF MOON BAY Anglers Take Limits of Rockfish and Crabs When Weather Allows EL GRANADA - With the delay of the commercial crab season due to whale B 21 entanglement, the only factor stopping the private and party boats out of Half Moon Bay from limits of both Dungeness crab and rockfish has been the recent trend of inclement weather and rough sea conditions. However, it looks like the second week of December will bring much calmer conditions, allowing the boats from Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing along with the Huli Cat to post limits of both rockfish and crab. Sport fishermen will have enjoyed up to 6 weeks of the Dungeness crab season all to themselves due to the delay until at least December 15th for commercial vessels. Whale entanglement in fishing gear has increased over the past four years, according to the National Oceanic CONTINUED ON PG 22 Dungeness Crab Commercial Season Update from CDFW sed on updated information and in response to concerns from the commercial Dungeness crab fleet, including written requests from Port Associations to further delay, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham intends to further delay the start date for the Cali- fornia Dungeness crab fishery south of the Mendocino/Sonoma county line. On November 22, Director Bonham issued a preliminary determination that the Nov. 22, 2019 start date poses a signif- icant risk of marine life entanglement. The anticipated management response is a further delay of the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in that area until Dec. 15, 2019. An aerial survey conducted by CDFW within Greater Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries on Monday, Nov. 18 showed whales throughout the survey area with concen- trations foraging in depths between 30 and 50 fathoms off Point Reyes and Half Moon Bay. CDFW is working to schedule a follow up aerial reconnaissance flight to further evaluate whale presence in advance of Dec. 15 and will convene the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group the first week of December to conduct a risk evaluation. Under the authority of Fish and Game Code, section 8276.1(c)(1), the Director may restrict take of commercial Dungeness crab if there is a significant risk of marine life entanglement due to fishing gear. As required in Fish and Game Code, section 8276.1(c)(4), the Director is providing 48 hours’ notice to the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group and other stakeholders. Director Bonham will consider any recommendations or new information provided by 4:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. Anyone with recommendations and information related to this preliminary determination should submit it to whale- safefisheries@wildlife.ca.gov by that deadline. No vessel may take, possess or land crab in an area closed for a significant entan- glement risk. Fishing gear may not be deployed in any area closed to fishing. CDFW, the fleet and the interested stakeholders are still at the start of an emerging effort to implement real-time decision-making processes. For the last 24 hours, CDFW has been engaged in real-time discussion and decision making, responding to industry requests for further delay. Everyone recognizes the risks and all are committed to addressing that risk and developing the tools to assess and manage risk with more refinement. CDFW is committed to continuing to evaluate information as it is available in real-time to ensure that restrictions on the fishery are lifted as expeditiously as possible. CDFW appreciates the challenges and difficulties that come with the beginning Predator Sport Fishing Q ueen of Limits of rockfish are the rule for anglers that go on combo crab and bottomfish trips aboard the Happy Hooker. These fish were landed on November 29. Photo courtesy of HAPPY HOOKER SPORTFISHING, Berkeley. of a new approach, and we appreciate the understanding of the public, the fleet, the Working Group and Californians hungry for crabs. In related news, test results received today from the Cali- fornia Department of Public Health show there is no longer a public health concern regarding the safety of crab from the Mendocino/ Sonoma county line to the Cali- fornia/Mexico border. For the latest information on the Dungeness crab season, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/crab and 2019-2020 Dungeness Crab Fishery Best Practices Guide. H earts Small Groups • Great Rates Excellent Sturgeon, Bass and Shark Fishing! The Bay’s Best Crew! 3408 Powerful technology in the Ultimate Combo unit. 9” Chart Plotter with built in TrueEcho CHIRP Fishfinder. Featuring Multi-Touch Interface, internal GPS antenna, CMAP compatibility, Anti Finger Print and Anti-Reflective glass with excellent readability and brightness. • Salmon Fishing (when allowed) • Crabbing continues to be highly productive beyond the Golden Gate with limits of commercial quality keepers being the norm. Photo courtesy of HAPPY HOOKER SPORTFISHING, Berkeley. • Whale Watching • • Nature Trips • • Full Bait and Tackle Shop • Call for Details and Special Pricing! 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