California Fish and Game Commission meets remotely

At its February meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. Here are some highlights from this week’s meeting.

The Commission re-adopted an emergency regulation prohibiting the use of hydraulic pumps for fishing clams, sand crabs and shrimps.

The Commission passed regulations to protect bull kelp that include a ban on commercial harvesting in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, an annual limit of 8,000 pounds. in Humboldt and Del Norte counties and other measures to protect kelp.

The Commission passed regulations to protect California’s iconic grunion populations by putting in place a bag limit of 30 fish per person and extending the closed season by an additional month to include the month of June.

The Commission voted unanimously to list the San Bernardino kangaroo rat as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

The Commission continued the decision to determine whether or not it was warranted to list Southern California rainbow trout as an endangered species under the CESA.

The Commission upheld the decision to ratify the findings of the decision to list northern California summer rainbow trout as endangered under the CSEA.

The Commission determined that listing Lime Ridge eriastrum as Endangered under the CESA may be warranted. This begins a year-long status review that must be conducted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and Lime Ridge eriastrum is protected as a candidate species during this time.

The Commission voted unanimously to list Shasta Snowcrown as Threatened under CESA.

The Commission passed amendments to the big game regulations to include the reinstatement of preference points and tag refunds due to public land closures. Further information on the reinstatement application process will be available on the CDFW Licensing website.

The Commission has received a petition (begins on page 44) from the Humane Society of the United States to eliminate the open black bear hunting season until CDFW updates its bear management plan , including a census of the California black bear population. The Commission forwarded the petition to the CDFW.

The full commission was present. At the meeting, the Commission elected Commissioner Samantha Murray as Chair, replacing outgoing Chair Peter Silva, who is leaving the Commission effective Friday 18 February. The Commission elected Commissioner Erika Zavaleta as Vice-President, a post previously held by President Murray. The Commission has appointed chairs for its three committees. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin was chosen to continue chairing the tribal committee. Chair Murray and Commissioner Erik Sklar will continue to co-chair the Marine Resources Committee. Vice-Chair Erika Zavaleta will continue to serve on the Wildlife Resources Committee as Chair.

The agenda for this meeting and supporting information is available on the Commission’s website. An archived audio file will be available in the coming days. The next Plenary Commission meeting is scheduled for April 20-21, 2022. Please see the Commission website for details.

Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

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The California Fish and Game Commission was the first wildlife conservation agency in the United States, even before the US Commission of Fish and Fisheries. There is often confusion about the distinction between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Commission. In the most basic terms, CDFW implements and enforces regulations set by the Commission, as well as provides biological data and expertise to inform Commission decision-making.