DFW Commission and lobster recomendations

[Saba Slayer]

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will make a brief presentation on these recommendations at the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) meeting on December 11, 2013. No decisions will be made at this Commission meeting. The formal regulator process will not start until 2014. For detailed information regarding FGC meetings please visit the FGC website.
Visit this website to get the complete PDF...
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/lobsterfmp/committee.asp

The meeting will take place in San Diego.
December 11, 2013, 8:30 a.m.
Hilton San Diego Mission Valley 901 Camino del Rio South, San Diego

Here is a cut and paste version of the recreational proposals...
Jim / Saba Slayer

Recreational Lobster Fishery Management Recommendations

Consensus achieved at August 15 and September 11, 2013 LAC Meetings
The LAC reached consensus on five recreational management measures, including a tail-¬‐cutting proposal, a limitation on the use of mechanized pullers, a new season opener time, a clarification of the diver prohibition on carrying hooked devices (spear guns to be allowed), and a proposal to mark hoop net floats. A broad majority of the LAC supported a proposal to set a seasonal limit (70) for the recreational fishery and a proposal to ban the use of conical hoop nets. Opposition from two recreational members prevented consensus on each of these proposals. Of note, neither of these members offered an alternative proposal to address commercialization (the intent of the seasonal limit) or to address problems associated with the rapid rise in the use of hoop nets in recent years. Each recommendation below describes the relevant issue, the introduced proposal and the LAC action following discussion, deliberation and, in most cases, refinement of the original proposal.
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Issue: Lobster caught by recreational fishermen is being sold in the commercial market place. Requiring sport fishermen to clip or punch the center tail flap makes it possible for law enforcement to identify lobsters caught in a recreational fishery that end up in the market and take appropriate legal action. This proposal will give law enforcement a tool to address buyers and markets that purchase lobster from recreational fishermen.
Proposal: Recreationally caught lobsters are to be tail-¬‐clipped (removing the bottom half of the central tail flap) or tail-¬‐punched in the central tail flap (Australia requires a 10 mm minimum hole). Additional details will be worked out with LED (e.g. clipped when landed?).
LAC Action: The LAC achieved consensus on the tail-¬‐clipping proposal above. The LAC did not achieve consensus on a seasonal limit as a tool to reduce illegal commercialization.
Issue: Use of mechanized pullers has made it easier to rob from commercial traps.
Proposal: Restrict the use of mechanized pullers only to persons in possession of proof of disability/medical (Disabled Mechanized Hoop Net Puller Permit). This restriction would only pertain to power driven mechanized pullers and not hand operated davits with single pulley systems.
Clarification: This restriction only applies to individuals targeting or in possession of lobster, not persons solely targeting crab.
DFW Disabled Mechanized Hoop Net Puller Permit Form:
The following conditions must be met to qualify for issuance of a Disabled Mechanized Hoop Net Puller Permit: “For the purposes of this permit a disability means a permanent loss, significant limitation, or diagnosed disease or disorder, which substantially impairs an individual’s ability to physically pull by hand and retrieve a hoop net for the purpose of targeting lobster.” A medical physician must sign the permit application form.
LAC Action: The LAC achieved consensus on the mechanical puller restriction proposal above. Some members noted that the broad wording of the disability option could render the management measure ineffective and suggested that the LAC work with DFW Enforcement to ensure the new rule has “teeth” when it is applied.
Issue: The midnight opener creates a “rush” mentality that fuels conflicts between recreational users and poses a safety risk. The current lobster opener date and time can be difficult to understand (confusion regarding when the season actual “starts”) and constituents are having trouble following the law. DFW has been asked to consider an alternate start time.
Proposal: Make the lobster opener 6:00 a.m. on Saturday instead of 12:01 a.m. on Saturday.
Key discussion points
• New time is workable for DFW Enforcement
• Proposal improves safety conditions
• Regulatory change has no impact on the resource
• Commercial season dates would not change
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LAC Action: The LAC achieved consensus on the lobster opener proposal above. The group acknowledged concerns regarding the economic impact this proposal may have on some dive charters.
Issue: Marking hoop net floats will improve accountability and safety among recreational fishermen, and may help reduce illegal commercialization.
Proposal: Hoop net floats should be marked with unique ID (DL, Go ID, etc. — details to be worked out with LED).
LAC Action: The LAC achieved consensus on the marked hoop net proposal above. A second element of the original proposal, that hoop net floats be “closely attended”, did not receive full group support due to concerns over enforceability challenges.
Issue: Spear fisherman have been harassed or cited for carrying a spear gun while in the pursuit of lobster. Constituents have asked for clarity on the definition of a “hooked” device.
Proposal: Keep change simple. Ensure regulatory language focuses on how lobster can be taken (i.e. “skin and scuba divers may take lobsters by hand only”) and not how it cannot be taken; remove “hooked device” term from current regulations. The proposal allows for possession of a spear gun or pole spear underwater while hunting lobsters. Misuse of this equipment to take lobster (lobster can only be taken by hand) would remain illegal.
LAC Action: The LAC achieved consensus on the hooked device proposal above.