Pacific Herring Fishery Management Plan Notice of Preparation and Scoping Meeting for the Environmental Impacts Document

CDFW photo

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and California Fish and Game Commission are preparing a Pacific Herring (Clupea pallasii) Fishery Management Plan. CDFW, assisting the Commission under its certified regulatory program, has prepared an initial study, detailed project description, and a preliminary analysis of the environmental impacts pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

CDFW is inviting interested members of the public to attend a scoping meeting on August 25, 2018 at the Bay Model Visitor’s Center, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The meeting is being held to solicit comments on the environmental impacts of the proposed project and answer questions related to plan development.

The public comment period for this project is from August 17, 2018 through September 21, 2018. Comments may also be submitted by email to CDFW Environmental Scientist Ryan Bartling or by letter to:

Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area and Morro Bay State Marine Reserve

White pelicans, with Morro Rock in the background
photo by T. Heitzenrater

As you drive on Highway 1 into Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County, a towering rock comes into view marking the edge of the Pacific Ocean. More than 575 feet tall, Morro Rock is evidence of the area’s volcanically active past.

Marine Management News Fish Identification Quiz

Welcome to the Marine Management News Fish Identification Quiz for August 2018! Here’s your chance to show off your fish identification knowledge and win a “Release At Depth” rockfish barotrauma cap and a copy of California’s Living Marine Resources: A Status Report. To qualify for the drawing, simply send the correct information to AskMarine@wildlife.ca.gov by September 30, 2018 identifying:

• The species of the fish pictured below (scientific name) and an accepted common name, and
• The daily bag limit, as found in the 2018-2019 Saltwater Sport Fishing regulations booklet

Be sure to enter “August 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 September 30, 2018.

photo by D. Shigematsu

Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: Point Dume State Marine Reserve and Point Dume State Marine Conservation Area

Point Dume SMR and Point Dume SMCA
(click to enlarge)

Just over 30 miles due west of downtown Los Angeles, one of the world’s most popular coastal destinations — Malibu — attracts millions of visitors each year. Famous for expansive beaches, sprawling estates, and majestic mountains, Malibu averages over 280 sunny days a year, and is an outdoor haven for locals and tourists alike.

Encompassing more than 25 miles of coastline, Malibu is home to beaches, beaches, and surprise…more beaches! While many of these

Draft Marine Protected Area Monitoring Action Plan Available for Public Review

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is pleased to announce that the draft Marine Protected Area (MPA) Monitoring Action Plan (Action Plan) is now available online. Public comments can be submitted on the Action Plan and Action Plan appendices by email at R7MPA@wildlife.ca.gov until August 16, 2018.

Quantitative and expert informed approaches to long-term monitoring have been under development since the start of baseline monitoring to describe conditions inside and outside MPAs. The draft Action Plan, developed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife