pvsfish.org
 

DFG approached me on the water this past weekend while I was kayak fishing. They did the usual check up and then they handed me a little pamphlet. On the pamphlet (www.pvsfish.org) it showed an area they marked in red, which was contaminated (from Santa Monica Pier to Seal Beach Pier), and the pamphlet showed which fish should and should not be eaten in this area. On the list of "not to eat" included white croaker, barred sand bass, black croaker, topsmelt and barracuda. On the eat "1 time a week" list included several fish; just to name a few were halibut, rockfish, calicos, and corbina. I knew croakers were a "no, no," but I didn't think some of the other fish were.

I know this area is further up north for many on this message board, but is this new or has this info been around for awhile....

I was also approached by someone taking a survey on the same day. They wanted to know some information about how I did on the water. I've seen people taking fishing surveys before...what is there angle? I've just been learning about MLPAs and want to know who is friend and foe...thanks.

DFG Fish Surveys are the norm, usually run into them on the beach or on the pier. Halibut, Calico and Corbina on the 1 a week is new to me. When I heard sandbass and cuda were on the "do not eat" list last year I couldn't believe it since they're migratory fish

Creel surveys are a standard fisheries management tool. The data is used by biologists to generate estimates of angler use, catch rates and harvest, etc.

Nothing new. They have had those maps available on their website for quite a while. Just about every coastal and inshore area is marked either red or yellow and corresponds to some weekly intake of the species caught there. They also recommend less fish intake for females than males.

JMHO
Respect the Warden, hes doing his job, if your in the right, have your paperwork ready, no different then being pulled over. When it comes to the surveys, they are usually Collage kids / volunteers, either way if no badge I don't talk to them.

I agree Bus Kid...

I have been approched by the DFG several times Float tubing, Kayaking, boating, and hunting...Lakes, Ocean, National Forests and on Private Ranches, and Sportmans Clubs, and in the most unexpected places.

Once the standard questions are over I usually talk to them for quite some time, most have good knowledge since they are most likely are locals to the areas they work..most of them choose there own hours of working times and what areas they will check on.

If you have a extra bottle of water with you share it with them, I gotten some great productive information on areas from that small jester. Both fishing and hunting.:cool:

It's just a job someone has to do...and if you love the outdoors what a bitchen job.

i agree with you. after watching wild justice and seeing what these guys have to do, i have a new found respect for them. and if you really do appreciate the outdoors and our natural resources and want to protect it, then you should too.

btw, white croakier taste terrible, your better off releasing it. :biggrinjester:

Thanks for the replies. I enjoy encounters with the DFG and encourage it...I spoke with them for about 10 minutes or so - super friendly guys. It was the person taking the survey I was unsure of since it's optional to give up info. Thanks again...

X-2!