Public Survey to Guide Red Abalone Fishery Management Now Available

Red abalone

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is in the process of developing a red abalone fishery management plan to update sections of the Abalone Recovery and Management Plan. Members of the public are invited to provide guidance for the plan by participating in an online survey concerning their preferences in the management of red abalone. The survey can be accessed on the CDFW website. The survey will run until

Creature Feature: Sanddabs

Four species of sanddab are found in California waters: Pacific sanddab, longfin sanddab, speckled sanddab, and gulf sanddab. Most sport anglers catch the two largest sanddabs, the Pacific and the longfin. The Pacific sanddab is the predominant species in the California catch, with some longfin sanddab caught in southern California. Longfin sanddabs range from Monterey Bay south, while Pacific sanddabs are caught statewide. Both species are found on muddy or sandy bottoms, generally at depths of 30 to 600 ft., although Pacific sanddab are most abundant between 120 and 300 ft.

CDFW and Partners to Release Baseline Data and Reports for Southern California Marine Protected Areas

In the summer of 2014, researchers wrapped up their projects determining the baseline conditions of southern California’s collection of marine protected areas (MPAs). With initial scientific baseline monitoring  studies now completed, CDFW staff and partners plan to release baseline data and reports for the south coast MPAs in spring 2015. The baseline monitoring reports will be available to the public on the OceanSpaces website.

Baseline monitoring establishes a benchmark, or starting point, for both the ecological and socioeconomic conditions

Marine Management News Fish Identification Quiz

Welcome to the Marine Management News Fish Identification Quiz for February 2015! We’re stretching the definition of “fish” to the legal limit with this quiz, by selecting a crustacean for identification!  (The legal definition of “fish” in California Fish and Game Code (§45) includes not only wild fish but also crustaceans, mollusks, invertebrates, and amphibians, and any “part, spawn, or ova thereof.”)

We felt it was only fair to include these multi-legged critters in at least one identification quiz, given their popularity. So, here’s your chance to show off your shellfish identification knowledge and win an official Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) fish tagging cap! To qualify for the drawing, simply send the correct information to AskMarine@wildlife.ca.gov by March 31, 2015 identifying:

• The species of crab pictured below (scientific name) and an accepted common name, and
• The daily bag limit, as found in the current Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet

Be sure to enter “February MMN Fish Quiz” as the “Subject” of your e-mail. The winner will be selected during a random drawing from all correct answers received by March 31, 2015.

Get Hooked on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Website!

For the latest information on fishing regulations, marine resources, and news affecting our California coastline, your first stop should be the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website. This comprehensive information source contains well over 2,000 marine-related web pages and documents readily available to the public. If you are new to this website, we invite you to explore the valuable resources