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The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has released an Initial Study and proposed Negative Declaration for the Dungeness Crab Trap Limit Program as required by Fish and Game Code (FGC) Section 8276.5.

The documents will be available for public comment and review through Sept. 10, 2012.

The project under review is DFG’s proposed regulations to implement the Dungeness Crab Trap Limit Program prior to the 2013-14 commercial Dungeness crab season.

Under statute, the Dungeness Crab Trap Limit Program must cap the number of crab traps in state waters at a number that is not yet known, but will be fewer than 175,000. To do so, the department is implementing new procedures that include assigning permit holders to one of seven tiers that will allow them to fish between 175 and 500 traps.

The initial study analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the proposed regulations, which describe how to apply for and use trap tags and buoy tags. The proposed regulations also describe procedures for how new biennial permits can be purchased and replaced if lost.

To obtain the materials, contact Christy Juhasz at DFG’s Santa Rosa office: (707) 576-2887 or cjuhasz@dfg.ca.gov. More information and online versions of the documents can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/invertebrate/traplimit_nd.asp.

All comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2012 and must include the commenter’s name, address and daytime telephone number. Comments may be submitted by mail to:

Additionally, comments may be submitted via e-mail (in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format only) to cjuhasz@dfg.ca.gov. If e-mailed, comments must include “Dungeness Crab Trap Limit Program CEQA Comments” in the subject line.

For the first time Waterkeeper Alliance has produced an interactive digital version of its magazine, filled with terrific content and other media surprises.

The summer edition is dedicated to the upcoming 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Some of the articles you’ll read in the summer issue include:

• The Law that Changed America Turns 40 – Over the last 40 years, the Clean Water Act has brought many of America’s rivers, lakes, bays and coastlines back from the brink of disaster—in large part because nearly 125 U.S. Waterkeeper organizations are on the water enforcing the law. In this issue hear from five Waterkeepers who look back at major legal victories they have won or look forward to winning thanks to the Clean Water Act.  

• Undamming the Klamath
• BNSF Derailed in Seattle
• Is that the Chattahoochee River?
• California Cleaning
• River Revival in Spokane

To read the summer issue, click here.

7/26/12

This summer, grab your family and make the time to get out and enjoy your local waterway! Whether it’s swimming, surfing, paddling, snorkeling or just laying on the beach and enjoying the sound of surf breaking, take the time to enjoy YOUR right to clean, swimmable waters. Today, we are celebrating Swimmable Action Day—a day to advocate for our right to clean, swimmable waters for all.

Why? Because the more we use our waterways, the more we will understand, and value, the importance of clean water to our communities. Access to clean swimmable waters gives us a day of recreation without fear of harmful pollutants, provides a sense of place and inspires us to act as stewards of our waterways. And that is exactly what we need today—an army of informed citizen advocates who understand that everyone has a right to clean water for swimming, drinking and fishing. An informed, active public is the best defense to preventing industrial polluters and corrupt politicians from privatizing our waters. Usually, all it takes to instill this is a meaningful connection—a positive experience—with one’s local waterway.

Take a minute and listen to participants in the recently held Buzzards Bay Swim (a Waterkeeper Alliance Splash Series event presented by Toyota and KEEN) talk about their connection to their local waterway.

READ MORE

7/17/12

Large numbers of young brown pelicans are showing up on California's beaches and fishing piers, and the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is advising the public not to feed them. Although the pelicans may exhibit begging behavior and some may appear weak, the birds need to remain wild and forage naturally.

"When people feed pelicans, it leads to habituation to humans and conflicts in the future, such as entanglement in fishing line around piers," said DFG Wildlife Biologist Esther Burkett. "Improper feeding can also cause damage to the pelicans throat pouch and intestinal tract, and contribute to a decline in fitness and possible death."

Although many people are understandably concerned about ailing pelicans, it is normal for some to die in the summer due to natural causes, especially the young pelicans learning to feed on schooling fish. The mortalities are caused by a natural balancing between population size and available food supply.

Anglers also should not feed pelicans or throw food scraps toward them or into the water. Trash cans and dumpsters should be kept closed to prevent pelicans from jumping in and getting oiled, and from getting fish parts lodged in their pouches and throats. Most of the pelicans in peril are young birds and human contact habituates them to become pier bums, leading to an unsafe situation for the birds.

"Saving individual pelicans requires expensive capture, cleaning and care at a licensed rehabilitation facility," adds Burkett. "Its far easier to exercise caution and take steps to prevent the problem in the first place."

Another hazard facing pelicans that linger in unenclosed areas is fish oil at fish cleaning stations. Fish oils compromise seabirds' natural waterproofing and insulation, making them vulnerable to hypothermia when cold ocean water contacts their skin.

Anyone who sees pelicans that appear to be sick or injured, or entangled with fishing line should not touch or approach them. Injured wildlife will instinctively defend themselves and may injure someone trying to help them.

Though California brown pelicans are no longer listed as endangered, they are still a fully-protected species in California, and a beautiful spectacle to behold while flying over the ocean and plunging into the water for food.

If you see injured or entangled pelicans that could be captured by trained wildlife handlers, please call one of these wildlife rescue organizations:

 - Bird Ally X Humboldt Wildlife Care Center (707) 825-0801
 - Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA: (650) 494-7283 or (650) 340-8200
 - Native Animal Rescue of Santa Cruz County: (831) 462-0726
 - SPCA for Monterey County:  (831) 646-5534
 - Wild Care, statewide: (866) WILD-911

In other areas, please call your local humane society or SPCA.