thelog.com It’s a Blue Spring fishrap.com


NOAA Fisheries updates status of several fi sheries in latest annual report.


By Parimal M. Rohit


STATEWIDE — The canary rockfi sh was the only endangered species off the California coast determined to no longer be overfi shed, according to an annual report on the status of fi sheries published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) last month.


Only one other fi sh species – the


South Atlantic blueline tilefi sh – was no longer overfi shed, according to the NOAA report. A fi sh stock makes the NOAA over-


fi shed list when its population size is too low, either due to fi shing, envi- ronmental changes, or other causes. Comparatively a fi sh stock is added to NOAA’s overfi shing list when its annual catch rate is too high. “When a stock is determined to be


overfi shed, a council must develop a rebuilding plan,” the NOAA report stated. “A typical rebuilding plan allows fi shing to continue at a reduced level so that the stock can rebuild to its target level and can produce the maximum


sustainable yield (MSY) — the largest long-term average catch that can be taken from a stock under prevailing environmental and fi shery conditions. This keeps fi shermen and waterfronts working while rebuilding stocks.” There are currently 44 stock rebuild- ing plans currently in effect, according to NOAA. Canary rockfi sh was also one of two


fi sh stocks to be considered completely rebuilt, according to NOAA. Also rebuilt was petrale sole, which is also native to the Pacifi c coast. In all 39 fi sh stocks across the


United States were rebuilt since 2000. A few stocks were added to the


overfi shing list, including sword- fi sh (Eastern Pacifi c stock), Chinook salmon (Pacifi c Northwest), yellow fl ounder (mid-Atlantic) and bigeye tuna (Atlantic). Eight fi sh stocks were taken off the


overfi shing list, including three in the Gulf of Mexico (greater amberjack, gray triggerfi sh, hogfi sh), thorny skate and windowpane fl ounder (Gulf of Maine), winter skate (Southern New England), and three species near Puerto Rico (scups, porgies and wrasses). NOAA Fisheries reportedly tracks 473 fi sh stocks and 46 fi shery manage-


Bluefi n tuna have been biting here and there this spring, with the species listed in some fi sh counts and absent in others. Malihini out of H&M Landing was one of those sportfi shing expeditions who brought home bluefi n catches this month. A recent trip out of San Diego yielded three bluefi n reeled in (and another three let go after losing battles). Anglers aboard Malihini also reeled in 27 yellow- tails during its May 4 expedition.


Southern California fi shing news Canary Rockfi sh stock declared as rebuilt


The Log • May 20 - June 2, 2016 • 27


A school of canary rockfi sh (Sebastes pinniger). This is one of several images of rarely seen deep-sea animals captured on camera in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.


ment plans. Assessments of each stock and management plan are conducted annually to determine the status of each species.


The U.S. began monitoring fi sh stocks after Congress passed the Fishery Conservation and Management Act in 1976 and updated the legislation 20 years later. “After World War II increased pres-


sure and landings by foreign nations led to sharp declines in many fi sh


stocks,” the NOAA report stated. “In response, Congress passed the Fishery Conservation and Management Act …


[and] established a 200-mile fi shery conservation zone ending the unman- aged, open access to fi sheries off U.S. coasts by foreign fl eets.” An annual catch limit (ACL) require- ment was enacted in 2007 to prevent overfi shing. “As of the end of 2015, catch was successfully kept at or below 89 percent of ACLs,” the NOAA report stated. “Management measures were imple- mented to address ACLs overages. Monitoring catch levels and keeping them in check annually helps reduce the chance of overfi shing.”


Mixed fi shing and weather conditions dominate Eastern Sierra’s 2016 opener By Parimal M. Rohit


“Boat launch by dam is operative;


Fishing returned to the Eastern Sierra communities on April 30 as the 2016 season opener brought anglers from all over California. A report published on May 6 on


sierradrifter.com, a website keeping anglers updated of fi shing activity throughout the Sierras, stated the action was good at a few major lakes but fair to slow elsewhere. Water conditions were good, for


example, at Crowley Lake, Upper Owens River and McGee Creek. Fishing was fair to good at Bridgeport Reservoir, according to the website.


marina is renting boats outside break wall. Gorge remains a haven from the crowds, fi shing well in the more remote sections,” the sierradrifter. com report stated about Bridgeport Reservoir. It was at Bridgeport where the


young lady pictured reeled in not one but two trout. Weather conditions changed quickly, though, as snow descended upon the reservoir. Some venues are expected to be open for fi shing in time for Memorial Day, assuming the weather cooperates.


Bridgeport Reservoir NOAA photo


H&M Landing photo


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52