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.
Deputy Attorney General read a letter
received by the Commission from Mr. Ilson
New regarding the permitting process for the
conversion of spot prawn trawl permits to
trap permits.
Executive Director Treanor read into
the record a fax from Gordon Fox regarding
his suggestions for moving forward with the
spot prawn trawl permits to trap conversion
process.
Steve Rebuck indicated that for the last
10 years he has served as the Abalone Technical
Consultant to the Sea Otter Recovery Team
and that he was recently asked to brief the
US Congressional Subcommittee on Fisheries
Conservation, Wildlife & Oceans on the
status of the Sea Otter Translocation project
within the San Nicholas Island management
zone. He provided the Commission with both
a video and written copies of that testimony.
He emphasized the importance of continuing
zonal sea otter management in California and
he noted that there are currently three species
of abalone which could be rendered extinct
if the sea otter population is not controlled
in Southern California.
Karen Reyna provided the Commission with
handouts and requested that the Commission
take emergency action to close the squid fishery
north of Pillar Point. She indicated that
The Ocean Conservancy was notified last week
that squid fishing was taking place near the
Farallon Islands. She explained that historically,
market squid have not been fished in this
area and they are concerned about the threats
to the marine mammals and birds which inhabit
the Farallon Islands, many of which have varying
levels of protection in California. She also
explained that nocturnal birds have been affected
by the bright squid boat lights, as observed
by Dr. Pile, who also observed sea lions in
nets in this area. She provided testimony
from Great White Adventures, an expedition
diving boat that is often in this area, which
included pictures of sea lions that had been
shot following the observation of light boats,
testimony of an oily sheen on the water and
a statement that there were no white shark
encounters the entire time the fishing boats
were present. She also provided a letter that
discussed the disturbances to birds colonies
that result from these squid boats. She noted
that the further north these boats travel,
the higher the risk of salmon bycatch. She
requested that the Commission take emergency
action to close this squid fishery and that
a Marine Subcommittee meeting be held in Northern
California before the next Commission meeting
in November.
Eric Larson summarized the status of
the squid fishery in Northern California,
and indicated that the Department has been
closely monitoring the activity around the
Farallon Islands. He reported that the squid
boats have recently stopped fishing in this
area.
In response to a question, Executive
Director Treanor explained that if there was
a threat to the resources or general health
and welfare issues, the Commission has the
authority to take emergency action for the
immediate conservation, preservation or protection
of any birds, mammals, reptiles or fish including
but not limited to any eggs or nests.
Commissioner Schuchat requested that
this issue be added to the Commission's November
meeting agenda. He indicated that the Marine
Subcommittee would also address the issue
at its next meeting.
Eric Larson responded that the Department
would be able to provide the Commission with
additional information on the fishery in question
at the November Meeting.
James Davies asked the Commission for
exception to the current mountain lion hunting
laws. He explained that he would like to do
a legal cougar hunt outside of California
and would like to be allowed to bring the
animal back into the state and have it mounted
and donated to Simpson College as part of
their art appreciation program. He provided
the Commission with letters of support from
the College.
Deputy Director Mastrup explained that
the statutes adopted pursuant to Proposition
117, only the Legislature on a 4/5 vote has
the authority change the law to permit this
type of activity.
Dennis Fox stated that both water and
wildlife issues are natural resources and
should not be grouped with park issues. He
suggested that ballot initiatives like Proposition
117, should include an environmental analysis
along with fiscal analysis for public review.
Robert Ingles indicated that he had just
received notice from the Department that the
shallow nearshore rockfish fishery will be
closed down the second week of November. He
requested that the Commission re-allocate
the catch between recreational and commercial
fishermen back to the 80/20 split. He also
questioned if the nearshore rockfish season
would be open at all next year and if gopher
fish could be removed from the shallow nearshore
species list.
Eric Larson responded that this was a
federal issue that should be addressed to
the Pacific Fishery Management Council. He
explained that this year salmon fishing was
poor in this area, so the effort shifted from
salmon to rockfish in early July. He noted
that next year the Department has a provision
to lengthen the season and when coupled with
a productive salmon fishery, should provide
increased fishing opportunity.
Richard Johnson discussed fishing regulations
in the Sacramento River area, specifically
just below Keswick Dam to Deschutes Road.
He also indicated that he is actively involved
in the management of a wildlife area on the
Sacramento River where he has encountered
fishermen who are unclear in their interpretation
of the fishing regulations, so signs designed
by the Department are now posted that explain
the current fishing regulations. He stated
that he has also witnessed regular poaching,
which he believes occurs because the regulations
are complex and difficult to enforce. He requested
that the Commission simplify the current regulations
regarding the area 650 feet below Keswick
Dam to Deschutes Road, to allow for the taking
of one trout under 16 inches long, year round.
He also noted that the Shasta Fly Fishers
would be happy to assist the Department in
any way.
Deputy Director Mastrup indicated that
the Department would look into this issue
and report back to the Commission.
Bob Strickland indicated that he is discouraged
by the lack of good data in regard to a possible
surf perch fishery, and because the Department
has indicated that they cannot allocate any
of these fish to recreational fishing due
to an expected shift in effort after the rock
cod closure. He referred to his letter addressed
to the Commission last month regarding the
recreational monies that "subsidize"
commercial fishing. He emphasized that if
recreational fishing had this money, they
could use it for surveys to get better data
that could support recreational fisheries.
He questioned if he should take his letter
to the Legislature to have the fee schedule
adjusted in that arena.
Vice President Chrisman asked Mr. Strickland
what he though of the new CRFs data.
Mr. Strickland responded that he assumed
that only the most heavily fished species
would be surveyed, which would not benefit
recreational fishing.
Commissioner Schuchat stated that though
the fees associated with landing taxes and
licenses for commercial fishing are not consistent,
the Department is not giving money to commercial
fishermen. He indicated that he is sympathetic
to Mr. Strickland's concerns and has some
ideas on possible solutions, but he cautioned
Mr. Strickland that the Department is not
supporting or subsidizing commercial fishermen.
Eric Larson explained the differences
between MRFSS data and CRFS data. He indicated
that the pilot program is currently being
conducted and that CRFS will officially begin
on January 1, 2004, and that Department will
provide the Commission with an update at the
November meeting.
Mr. Strickland noted that United Anglers
in cooperation with NRDC has started a program
to develop logbooks for small recreational
boats for rock cod and they hope to have a
pilot program by January.
Jim Bassler discussed the final stock
assessment for cabezon. He pointed out that
the commercial fishery caught their entire
allocation in just a few months and the recreational
fishery did equally as well, which indicates
that there are lots of fish and the population
is doing well. He indicated that a reallocation
for shallow rockfish at this time would not
be fair to the commercial fishery.
Vice President Chrisman questioned the
current status of the burrowing owl petition.
Deputy Director Mastrup responded that
the Department is currently reviewing the
petition. He explained that the extremely
wide distribution of this owl has caused the
Department to evaluate the total threat to
this population throughout its entire range.
He indicated that the Department would present
a final recommendation to the Commission at
its November Meeting.
Commissioner Schuchat asked about the
report on burrowing owls released by the USFWS.
Deputy Director Mastrup responded that
the bulletin received from USFWS had stated
that the burrowing owl had been identified
as a non-threatened animal, due to its wide
distribution, reproductive rate and coping
ability.
Executive Director Treanor explained
that in order for the Commission to consider
this item at its November meeting, by statute
they must receive the Department's recommendation
30 days prior to the meeting.
Deputy Director Mastrup clarified that
the Department would be presenting its recommendation
to the Commission in November, for consideration
at its December meeting.
