Salmon Seasons Finalized for the California Coast

Sport fisherman with a nice Chinook salmon caught off Devil’s Slide
photo courtesy of D. Laughlin

Ocean salmon anglers across the California coast will be spending less time on the water this year chasing after king salmon, also known as Chinook.

At its virtual meeting last week, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) finalized and adopted the 2021 ocean salmon seasons. Sport fisheries on much of the coast have yet to open, except for the Monterey area which opened on the traditional first Saturday in April.

CDFW Seeks Applicants for 2021 Trap Gear Retrieval Program

A stack of retrieved trap gear in San Francisco. CDFW photo by M. Ivens-Duran

Stacks of retrieved trap gear in San Francisco. CDFW photo by M. Ivens-Duran

Heavily fouled crab trap lines in a retrieved trap. CDFW photo by M. Ivens-Duran

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking applicants for the 2021 Lost or Abandoned Commercial Dungeness Crab Trap Gear Retrieval Program. Removal of lost or abandoned trap gear reduces marine life entanglement risk during the summer months when large numbers of whales are present off California.

Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area

Looking north along the beach at Carmel Bay SMCA
CDFW photo by L. Gatlin

Carmel Bay has been a vacation destination for decades, but there is more to this area than picturesque views. Just offshore are some of California’s most amazing ocean habitats, which are protected within the Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA).

Spiny Lobster Report Cards Due by April 30

California spiny lobster and red sea urchins
CDFW photo by D. Stein

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds 2020-2021 spiny lobster report card holders to mail their cards or submit them online by April 30, 2021, as required by regulations.

Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: Ten Mile Estuary State Marine Conservation Area

Ten Mile River Bridge crossing Ten Mile Estuary State Marine Conservation Area
CDFW photo by L. Lopez

The sand dunes, river, and beach at Ten Mile Beach State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are an enticing draw for people staying at MacKerricher State Park. Located off Highway 1 north of Fort Bragg, this marine protected area (MPA) is clearly a special place for beach walks and bird watching.  

What you may not realize is that Ten Mile Beach SMCA has an inland neighbor, Ten Mile Estuary SMCA, that can be found by simply turning away from the ocean to face inland, up the winding Ten Mile River.