Grunion Dance: By the Light of the Moon

photo by Kelly Scofield

There has been much interest in the full moon lately because of recent headlines about the ‘super blood wolf moon’ in January (coincident with a lunar eclipse) and the ‘super snow moon’ in February. However, California Grunion don’t care what we call the various full moons or the unnamed new moons in the early spring through fall months. It’s the combined gravitational pull of

Marine Region’s 2018 Year in Review Now Available!

Which fisheries were affected by domoic acid in 2018? What huge upgrade was kicked off last year for commercial landings reporting? What new fishery management plans were under development in 2018? The answers to these questions and more can be found in the Marine Region 2018 Year in Review, now available on the CDFW Marine Region website!

The 28-page Review summarizes Marine Region activities in 2018, from abalone surveys to white seabass management. Over the last year, region staff worked to maintain and advance California fisheries management, monitoring,

Outlook for 2019 Ocean Salmon Fisheries to be Presented at Meeting

Chinook salmon
CDFW photo

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife invites the public to attend its upcoming annual Salmon Information Meeting. A review of last year’s ocean salmon fisheries and spawning escapement will be presented along with the outlook for this year’s sport and commercial ocean salmon fisheries.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, February 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sonoma County Water Agency, 404 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa.

A list of additional meetings and opportunities for public comment is available on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s ocean salmon web page. Please email Chenchen Shen or call (707) 576-2885 for more information.

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post by Kandice Morgenstern, CDFW Environmental Scientist

California Recreational Groundfish and Lingcod Fishing Regulation Changes for 2019

Beginning in 2019, the Lingcod daily bag and possession limit is one fish south of Cape Mendocino.
CDFW photo by M. Parker

On December 12, 2018 the California Fish and Game Commission took action to modify regulations for groundfish fishing. The changes went into effect January 2, 2019.

While many of the changes are good news and reflect improvements in the status of several species, not all changes resulted in increased opportunities for the recreational groundfish fishery. For California Groundfish Management Areas south of 40°10’ N latitude (near Cape Mendocino in northern California) 

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.