CDFW to Lift Fisheries Closure Implemented Due to Southern California Oil Spill

Fishermen and scientists gathered samples of marine life along the coast to determine impacts from the Southern California oil spill.
photo by A. Cooney, U.S. Coast Guard

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has determined that there is no further risk to public health related to seafood consumption in the Southern California area affected by an Oct. 2021 oil spill. As a result, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will lift the fisheries closure related to the Pipeline P00547 Incident at noon on Tuesday November 30, 2021.

To ensure a safe and orderly reopening, no attempt to take fish or invertebrates, including the placement of baited traps or hoop nets in the fishery closure zone, may be made prior to the noon opener.  More information will be posted on the response website (https://socalspillresponse.com/fisheries-closure/). In addition,

Southern California Fisheries Closure Implemented Due to Oil Spill

Crude oil is shown in the Pacific Ocean offshore of Orange County, Oct. 3, 2021. A unified command has been established to respond to and clean up the oil spill off the California coast. Official U.S. Coast Guard photo

Notification from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Take of all fish and shellfish is immediately prohibited from Huntington Beach to Dana Point, including the shorelines and offshore areas and all bays due to an oil spill in Southern California.

Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: Begg Rock State Marine Reserve

Young rockfish over a reef covered with anemones, divers in the background. photo © Roger Carlson

Young rockfish at Begg Rock. photo © Chris Grossman, diver.net

Rock scallop amid aggregating anemones. photo © Roger Carlson

Cormorants roost atop Begg Rock. photo © Chris Grossman, diver.net

Begg Rock, a small pinnacle jutting up around 15 feet from the ocean’s surface, may not look like much to the passing eye, but below the surface its marine life is abundant. Located about eight miles northwest of San Nicolas Island and nearly 60 miles from the Southern California mainland, it is by definition “remote.”

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.

Catalina Island Marine Protected Area Collaborative: California’s Island Collaborative

Educators gather for an MPA Speaker Series training held by the Catalina Island and Los Angeles MPA collaboratives
photo courtesy MPA Collaborative Network

While Los Angeles County is home to 13 of California’s 124 marine protected areas (MPAs), only four of those can be easily accessed from the mainland. The remaining nine MPAs surround Santa Catalina Island, known simply as “Catalina,” and can be reached via ferry, boat, helicopter, or private aircraft.