Copper Rockfish Credit: Ed Roberts/CDFW
October 21, 2024 - The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) acted on a variety of issues affecting California’s natural resources at its Oct. 9-10 meeting in Sacramento. The public was also able to participate via webinar and by phone.
The Commission unanimously approved naming the western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) as a candidate for potential listing as a protected species under the California Endangered Species Act. Threats facing burrowing owls in California are direct mortality and permanent habitat loss caused by urbanization and reduction or elimination of their primary burrow excavators — ground squirrels — from grazing and agricultural lands. The Department will undertake a one-year review of the species’ status before the Commission is expected to make a final decision on listing. As a candidate for potential listing, the species is temporarily afforded the same protections as a state-listed endangered or threatened species.
Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Mark Soto was named Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year for 2023 by the Commission. Soto was nominated by the Department’s Special Operations Unit for his collaborative work with wildlife officers in prosecuting many high-profile cases to protect California’s natural resources. The cases included successful civil prosecutions of businesses for illegal importation, and possession and sale of detrimental restricted species, such as the sale of non-native abalone that threaten the native endangered white and black abalone.
The 2024 California Waterfowlers Hall of Fame inductees were recognized at this Commission meeting. John P. Donnelly, Johnny Ribeiro, Jr., Raymond Saake and Daniel Yparraquirre were honored as individuals who have made significant contributions to enhance and conserve waterfowl and their habitats in California.
The Commission adopted the 2025-26 recreational fishing regulations for federal groundfish in state waters and fillet requirements for select groundfish. The action eliminates minimum size limits for certain species, modifies fillet-at-sea requirements, and clarifies rules regarding possession of groundfish aboard vessels while being transported through closed areas or areas with different fishing limits. These regulations are consistent with and complementary to groundfish regulations in federal waters. When effective, new groundfish regulations will be posted to the Department’s groundfish regulations website(opens in new tab).
The Commission approved a major amendment to an experimental fishing permit testing pop-up gear in an experimental fishery for brown box crab and king crab. Amendments include extending the maximum trap service interval from 96 hours (4 days) to 168 hours (7 days) and removing the clause exempting delays due to weather..
Deer Creek (including Blue Creek) and Summit City Creek — the two largest tributaries to the Mokelumne River — were added to the Commission-designated Wild Trout Waters Policy to support self-sustaining populations of non-native or native trout outside of their historic range and provide anglers with an opportunity to catch wild trout in a manner that promotes conservation. For more information on the designation and body of water, visit the Designated Wild and Heritage Trout Waters website(opens in new tab).
The Commission also approved listing Bear Lake buckwheat (Eriogonum microtheca var. lacus-ursi) as a candidate for potential listing as an endangered species under CESA. Bear Lake buckwheat has only a single known occurrence on the south shore of Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County, where the species is primarily threatened by habitat modification or destruction from potential development of private property where it grows.
Recognition came for El Dorado County resident Scott Lyons, who is the 500th angler to complete the Heritage Trout Challenge. To reach this milestone, Lyons caught a California golden trout, a McCloud River redband trout, a steelhead from the Trinity River, a coastal cutthroat trout, a Goose Lake redband trout and a Lahontan cutthroat trout — all within their historic watersheds. The Heritage Trout Challenge promotes native trout restoration efforts while encouraging anglers to explore new waters to experience the California’s diverse fishing opportunities.
Commission President Samantha Murray, Vice President Erika Zavaleta and commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin, Eric Sklar and Darius Anderson participated in person, with Commission and department staff present throughout the meeting. Vice President Zavaleta arrived mid-day for the first day of the meeting and Commissioner Hostler-Carmesin was not in attendance for the second day of the meeting.
The agenda for this meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the Commission website(opens in new tab). Archived video of past Commission meetings(opens in new tab) is available online. The next California Fish and Game Commission meeting is scheduled to occur in Sacramento Dec. 11-12, 2024. Participants can attend via Zoom, phone or in person at the Natural Resources Headquarters Building’s auditorium, 715 P St., Sacramento.
Source: CDFW
