PUBLIC FORUM - Any member of the public may
address and/or ask questions of the Commission
relating to the implementation of its policies
or any other matter within the jurisdiction
of the Commission. As a general rule, action
cannot be taken on issues not listed on the
agenda. Staff will normally be requested to
follow up on such items at the discretion
of the Commission.
John Stroh of the Mosquito Vector Control
Association reported that members of his association
had recently met with DFG staff to discuss
matters of mutual interest in wetland management,
specifically in regard to mosquito control.
He stated that the high likelihood of West
Nile Virus (WNV) entering California calls
for an increased awareness of these issues.
He requested the Commission's support for
the development of wetland BMPs between his
association and the Department.
Vice President Chrisman asked Mr. Stroh
to explain the importance of controlling WNV.
Mr. Stroh gave a brief summary of WNV
in the United States and California, and stated
that he was looking for support from the Commission
to develop a long term management plan.
John Carlson stated that the Department
agreed with Mr. Stroh's comments and
that it is aware of the different interests
in wetlands management.
Vice President Chrisman stated that he
agreed with the importance of being aware
of the public health implications involved
in wetland management.
Don Gomsi of the Coachilla Valley Mosquito
and Vector Control requested a delay in the
start of waterfowl hunting season until at
least November 1, or even November 15 to assist
in vector control. He noted that ducks are
not yet present in Coachilla Valley until
that date.
James Saulnier of the Coachella Valley
Mosquito and Vector Control stated his support
for Mr. Gomsi's request.
Mike McCorkle spoke on the start of sea
cucumber fishing season and the use of trawls
in the Santa Barbara area, as well as describing
the differences between sea cucumber fishing
and finfish fishing. He stated that the sea
cucumbers must be cleaned (gutted) right away
to keep them from disintegrating, but that
DFG wardens have told him this cleaning constitutes
processing and is illegal. He then read Section 8031 of the Fish and Game Code, and requested
this issue be clarified.
Deputy Director Mastrup stated that the
Department would look into this issue and
report back to the Commission at the next
meeting.
Zeke Grader reported that they have begun
to tackle the issue of universal interpretation
of both codes and regulations for example,
in the case of the sea cucumber, salmon trollers
are allowed to clean their salmon at sea and
that does not constitute "processing."
He stated he would also like to find out why
the confidential fish tickets are being shared
with other law enforcement agencies, such
as local police; and that he believed these
things are not done out of malice by the wardens,
but rather out of ignorance. He noted that
perhaps changes in enforcement should bediscussed
at Commission Marine Subcommittee meetings
before being implemented.
Florence Sloane spoke on recent changes
that the California Legislature has made in
regard to hunting dog field trials and game
birds. She requested the Commission make changes
to clarify ambiguities with the repeal of
sections 3509 and 3510 of the Fish and Game
Code.
Deputy Director Mastrup stated that the Department
has begun to look into the convoluted laws
of field trials of hunting dogs and believes
the Department has the staff available to
work on this issue as an agenda item for the
October meeting.
Vice President Chrisman asked Ms. Sloane
to provide a list of her requests to the Department.
Lynn Corboz provided a handout to the
Commissioners on cottontail rabbit control
issues. She stated her retirement community
has approximately 2000 rabbits which have
caused great damage to their greenbelt and
turf. She noted that because Mission Viejo
has banned guns, they can't hunt the rabbits,
and that repellants and fencing are very expensive.
She requested the Commission approve cage
trapping and special hunts with
unlimited bag limits within their community.
Deputy Director Mastrup suggested that
cottontail rabbits be added to depredation
list, and that the Department supports this
move as it adds flexibility to solve many
problems. The Commission directed its staff
to evaluate the feasibility of establishing
a special hunt pursuant to Section 325 of the Fish and Game Code.
Gary Martinet spoke on the license appeal
hearing for William Iverson. He stated that
Mr. Iverson has been a nuisance for 20 years
as well as having multiple convictions for
poaching. He stated that he is not in support
of an approval for any type of fishing license
for Mr. Iverson.
Jim Bassler spoke on the benefits of
permit stacking in the nearshore fisheries
and formally requested that the Department
look into this possibility. He noted that
it would put diversity back into the fishery
that trip limits have taken out. He stated
that he is willing to pay additional fees
to cover the cost to the Department.
Guy Grundmeier requested the transferability
of permits because his boat is now worthless.
He reported that two Senior Biologists had testified
at a Sierra Club hearing and that he will
send in the tape with a formal complaint.
He stated that there are too many protected
areas and there have been too many restrictive
changes to the nearshore fishery. He also
noted that he will appeal the location on
his recent permits because the language was
too difficult to understand.
Chris Hoeflinger spoke on different conservation
areas and asked why the Cowcod Conservation
Area and the California Rockfish Conservation
Area were not designated as "Marine Protected
Areas." He stated that the regulatory
language for rockfish in the Channel Islands
is extremely confusing to the public.
Fred Wendell explained the differences
in several different protected areas and stated
that Mr. Hoeflinger had raised valid questions
but that there are limitations with the definitions
of different protected areas.
Mr. Hoeflinger clarified his question
and Mr. Wendell responded that the Department
will begin an analysis and that the regional
working groups will address and evaluate these
MLPA issues once there is budget resolution
and funding available.
Paul Weakland complimented Vice President
Chrisman on his commitment to the State of
California. He stated that fishermen still
feel that there are hidden agendas within
the Commission and that even though he attended
the Marine Subcommittee meeting he was not
given any additional information in regard
to abalone issues.
Vice President Chrisman reviewed the
Commission's commitment to hold three special
meetings to discuss the abalone plan (ARMP),
but have not been able to schedule them due
to budget and time constraints.
Paul Weakland suggested that sport fishermen
pay a landing tax to help support the management
of that fishery.
