Protecting Whales and Sea Turtles & Ensuring Thriving Fisheries: Reducing the Risk of Entanglement in California Fishing Gear

Ocean Protection Council’s Strategy for Reducing the Risk of Entanglement in California Fishing Gear

California’s coastal waters include some of the most productive and diverse ecosystems in the world. To conserve this biodiversity and the coastal economies and communities that rely on a healthy ocean, Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is committed to protecting endangered and threatened whale and sea turtle species as well as supporting thriving commercial and recreational state-managed fisheries. The Strategy for Protecting Whales and Sea Turtles & Ensuring Thriving Fisheries: Reducing the Risk of Entanglement in California Fishing Gear (Strategy), approved by the OPC at its November 2019 meeting, outlines investment priorities to reduce the risk of entanglement in California fishing gear and is one component of a more comprehensive effort to protect whales and sea turtles in California. This is consistent with Target 3.3.5 of the Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean (2020-2025).

The 2018-2019 Governor’s Budget included a $7.5 million General Fund appropriation to OPC to address whale and sea turtle entanglement in California fishing gear. To guide Council investments in projects that reduce whale and sea turtle entanglement while supporting thriving fisheries, the Strategy provides a comprehensive approach to minimize entanglement in fishing gear, protecting California’s marine ecosystems and recreational and commercial fisheries. The Strategy includes four components:

1. COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

Advance collaborative, multi-stakeholder processes to identify and develop solutions to reduce the risk of entanglement in fishing gear.

2. BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE

Develop improved data streams and collaborative research to provide comprehensive information on key factors of entanglement risk across state-managed fisheries in order to inform adaptive risk mitigation.

3. GEAR INNOVATION

Support innovative research and development of fishing gear modifications that would reduce entanglement risk while allowing for safe, efficient, enforceable and cost-effective harvesting operations with minimal adverse impacts to marine life.

4. ENTANGLEMENT RESPONSE & OUTREACH

Conduct outreach and improved entanglement monitoring, documentation, analysis and response efforts.

Strategy for Protecting Whales and Sea Turtles and Ensuring Thriving Fisheries: Reducing the Risk of Entanglement in California Fishing Gear 

Sea Lion and Seal Rescue and Rehabilitation & Drift Gillnet Transition Program

Of the Budget Act of 2018’s  $7.5 million General Fund appropriation to OPC to address whale and sea turtle entanglement, $1 million of the total amount was directed to support sea lion and seal stranding rescue and rehabilitation activities. At the October 25, 2018 OPC meeting, the Council approved disbursement of $1 million to the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center to fund California Marine Mammal Stranding Network member activities for sea lion and seal rescue and rehabilitation. Additionally, in September 2018, SB 1017 (Allen) was signed into law to phase out drift gillnets in the shark and swordfish fishery. Public Resources Code Section 35651 directs OPC to provide $1 million of the $7.5 million appropriation to fund the transition program established by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 8583. At the February 2020 OPC meeting, the Council approved disbursement of $1 million to Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, the CDFW-identified fiscal agent, who will administer the program.

Currently Funded Projects

1. Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group
2. California Disentanglement Trainings
3. West Coast Entanglement Science Workshop
4. California Entanglement Response Network Support
5. California Drift Gillnet Transition Program Support
6. Reducing the Risk of Entanglement in Fishing Gear Competitive Grant Program
7. Gear Innovations Testing in the Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery
8. Small Vessel Surveys
9. Whale Abundance Data Assessment
10. Solar Logger Pilot Project

Completed Projects

General Fund for Whale and Sea Turtle Entanglement | Funding Opportunities

• Reducing the Risk of Entanglement in Fishing Gear Competitive Grant Program

Resources

Visit the West Coast Entanglement Science Workshop webpage | August 25 – September 3, 2020

• Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean (2020-2025)
• OPC Strategy for Protecting Whales and Sea Turtles and Ensuring Thriving Fisheries: Reducing the Risk of Entanglement in California Fishing Gear 
• West Coast Entanglement Science Workshop
• Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group 
• Dungeness Crab Task Force

Return to Sustainable Fisheries homepage

West Coast Entanglement Science Workshop

Join us for the West Coast Entanglement Science Workshop which will inform development of management strategies to reduce whale and sea turtle entanglement risk within US West Coast fixed-gear fisheries. The event is being co-hosted by the California Ocean Protection Council and The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and state fishery managers from California, Oregon and Washington.

The workshop will feature presentations by researchers and targeted discussions with invited fishery managers and fishing industry and NGO stakeholders actively working to reduce risk of entanglement in West Coast fisheries. The workshop will be held as a 5-part series of virtual modules over the course of two weeks, August 25th-September 3rd. Please visit the workshop webpage for agendas and more information.

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – April 14, 2020

DCTF Executive Committee Conference Call

Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 1:00pm

Listen only/call-in: (669) 900 6833 | Meeting ID: 232 288 639
Zoom access link: https://zoom.us/j/232288639 

Meeting Agenda

Goal of the Executive Committee (EC) Conference Call: To provide updates on topics directly impacting the Dungeness crab fishery, the status of DCTF recommendations, and marine life entanglements in the California Dungeness crab fishery as well as begin brainstorming on priorities identified in the 2019-21 Work Plan.

1. Welcome, introductions, agenda overview. 
2. Public comment on matters not on the agenda.
3. Updates on issues involving the Dungeness crab fishery, including, but not limited to, the status of the DCTF recommendations identified during the October 2019 in-person meeting, regulatory updates, active legislation, latest hearings, the Dungeness crab account, etc. 
4. Learn about the efforts by the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group and state of California to reduce marine life entanglements risk including, review recent risk assessment recommendations, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director’s most recent determination(s), etc. 
5. Begin a discussion and brainstorm around a potential buy-out for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery as directed by the DCTF’s 2019-21 Work Plan.
6. Adjourn

Agenda items may be taken out of order at the discretion of the DCTF Administrative Team (Admin Team).

* *Public Participation and Comment: All members of the public, including non-EC DCTF members, will be automatically placed on mute upon entering the call. Phone lines will be opened during public comment periods. When the Admin Team opens the call to public comment, you may press *6 to unmute yourself if you wish to provide comments. 

Meeting materials will be posted to the DCTF website as they are available. A meeting summary will be made available via the DCTF website.  

Questions about the meeting or agenda can be directed to info@dungenesscrabtaskforce.com or 805-845-9852. Any person who has a disability and requires reasonable accommodation to participate in this DCTF meeting should contact Rachelle Fisher (rachelle@strategicearth.com or 805-845-9852) no later than five days prior to meeting. 

For more information about the DCTF please visit the DCTF website at https://www.opc.ca.gov/2009/04/dungeness-crab-task-force/

Recreational Red Abalone Management Strategies Integration

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) uses partnerships, policy and funding to advance science-based solutions to safeguard marine life, habitats and livelihoods in California. OPC has partnered with Tribes and Tribal communities, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), California Fish and Game Commission (FGC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and representatives from the recreational red abalone fishing community to support integration of proposed recreational red abalone management strategies.

Following a scientific peer review of two management strategies under consideration for the Recreational Red Abalone Fishery Management Plan (FMP) in 2018, the FGC made the following recommendations at its December 2018 meeting: (1) address peer review recommendations to integrate the two proposed management strategies; (2) develop a de minimis (i.e., managed/restricted access) fishery option; and (3) develop a more comprehensive process and timeline to engage and consult with stakeholders.

To accomplish this, a working meeting is being held to establish a Project Team and initiate its charge. The Project Team is open to all interested members of the public, including Tribes and Tribal communities, members of the abalone fishing community, scientists, resource managers, and others. Over the next six months, the Project Team will provide advice and guidance intended to assist CDFW and FGC as they consider final options for a Recreational Red Abalone FMP for the North Coast. Please see below for details on upcoming Project Team in-person meetings and/or webinars, as well as information from previous Project Team meetings.

Administrative Team Report

The final Administrative Team report (April 17, 2020) is available here.

The April 17, 2020 report incorporates feedback from the Fish and Game Commission Marine Resources Committee (MRC) based on discussion during the March 17, 2020 MRC meeting.

The draft Administrative Team report (February 14, 2020) is available here.

The Administrative Team, consisting of a Tribal representative, OPC, CDFW, FGC, TNC, and fishing industry representatives, developed a report to respond to the December 2018 Fish and Game Commission motion and to summarize the management strategy integration process. The report is intended to capture and summarize Project Team discussions and guidance from May 2019-December 2019, including guidance related to the Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) results, the Exceptional Circumstances Strawman proposal, De Minimis Strawman proposal, etc.

Project Team Meetings

Tribes and Tribal communities, stakeholders, and interested members of the public are invited to participate in the sixth and final of a series of Project Team meetings to guide the development of the Recreational Red Abalone Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the North Coast.

Recreational Red Abalone FMP Project Team Meeting #6: Develop & Confirm Guidance for the Northern California Recreational Red Abalone Management Strategy: December 19, 2019: Meeting Agenda + Meeting Materials: 

Management strategy evaluation: Recreational Red Abalone Management Strategy Integration (Final report, January 6, 2020)

December 19, 2019 Key Meeting Highlights

High-Priority Meeting Materials:

• Agenda
• Next steps for modelers from November 21, 2019 Project Team meeting
• High-level Summary of Updated Management Strategy (December 2019 version) 
• Updated De Minimis Strawman Proposal (December 2019 version)
• Updated Exceptional Circumstances Strawman Proposal (December 2019 version)
• Draft Technical Report on Management Strategy Evaluation (December 2019 version)

Background Materials:

• November 21, 2019 Meeting Highlights
• Updated Project Team Work Plan
• Data Stream Comparison Table (August 2019 version)
• Draft Technical Report on Management Strategy Evaluation- November 22, 2019
• Updated Glossary of Key Terms (December 2019 version)
• Project Team Proposals for De Minimis Fishery (as received, listed below under “Project Team Proposals)

Presentations:

• Project Team Updates Since November 21 Meeting
• Review and Discuss Management Strategy Evaluation Results
• Updated De Minimis Strawman Proposal
• Next Steps for Red Abalone FMP Management Strategy Integration

Webinar Recording: RedAbaloneFMP_ProjectTeam_12192019.mp3 (158 MB)

Recreational Red Abalone FMP Project Team Meeting #5: Review Management Strategy Evaluation Results & Develop Recommendations for Draft De Minimis Fishery: November 21, 2019: Meeting Agenda + Meeting Materials: 

• Management strategy evaluation: Recreational Red Abalone Management Strategy Integration, Draft November 22, 2019

High-Priority Meeting Materials

• Agenda (here)
• Exceptional Circumstances Strawman Proposal (here)
• High-level Summary of Results from the Two-zone Management Strategy Evaluation (here)
• Revised Strawman De Minimis Fishery Proposal (here)

Background Materials

• Updated Project Team work plan (here)
• Glossary of key terms (here)
• Next steps for modelers from August 27/September 19, 2019 Project Team meeting (here)
• De minimis fishery ideas and concepts received from the public (listed under “Project Team Proposals” below)

PowerPoint Presentations + Webinar: September 19, 2019 Project Team Meeting:

• Project Team Updates since September 19
• Interpreting Management Strategy Evaluation Results
• Review and Discuss Management Strategy Evaluation Results
• De Minimis Fishery Draft Strawman Proposal
• Exceptional Circumstances Draft Proposal

Recreational Red Abalone FMP Project Team: Meeting #4: Revised Management Strategy & Continued Discussion on De Minimis Fishery: September 19, 2019: Meeting Agenda + Meeting Materials:

• September 19, 2019 Project Team Meeting Agenda (webinar)
• Updated, High-level Summary of Revised Draft Management Strategy 
• Technical Report on Revised Draft Management Strategy (updated September 17, 2019)
• Updated, Project Team work plan 
• Updated, Glossary of Key Terms
• Updated, Proposed Next Steps for Modelers
• Data Stream Comparison Table (August 2019 version)

PowerPoint Presentations + Webinar: September 19, 2019 Project Team Meeting:

• Project Team Updates Since August 27, 2019
• Refining the Draft Management Strategy
• Discussing the De Minimis Fishery
• Webinar Recording

September 19, 2019, Project Team Meeting: Key Themes Summary

Recreational Red Abalone FMP Project Team: Meeting #3: Discussion of Draft Management Strategies: Tuesday, August 27, 2019: Meeting Agenda + Meeting Materials:

High-Priority Meeting Materials

• August 27, 2019 Project Team Meeting Agenda (in-person meeting in Santa Rosa, CA)
• High-level summary of draft management strategy
• Updated, data stream comparison table
• Updated, proposed next steps for modelers

Background Materials

• Draft de minimis fishery proposals (here)
• Key Themes Summary from July 18 Project Team meeting (webinar) (here)
• Updated, Project Team work plan (here)
• De minimis fishery ideas and concepts received from the public (listed under “Project Team Proposals” below)

PowerPoint Presentations

• Updates Since July 18 Project Team Meeting
• An Overview of Fishery Management Strategies
• Review and Consideration of Draft Management Strategies

August 27, 2019 Project Team Meeting: Key Themes Summary

Recreational Red Abalone FMP Project Team: Meeting (Webinar) #2: Update on Work Plan and Discussion of Data Streams and De Minimis Fishery Design Options: July 18, 2019 Meeting Agenda + Meeting Materials:

• July 18, 2019 Project Team Meeting Agenda (webinar)
• Draft de minimis fishery proposals
• Draft datastream comparison table
• Updated Project Team Work Plan
• Glossary of key terms
• Next steps for modelers from May 22, 2019 Project Team meeting
• De minimis fishery ideas and concepts received from the public (please see below “Project Team Proposals” section)
•  North Central Coast Baseline Surveys of Kelp Forest Ecosystems: A report prepared for Sea Grant. Mark Carr, Emily Saarman, Dan Malone: University of California Santa Cruz. November 1, 2013 (here)
• Project Team Updates since May 22 from the Modelers (PowerPoint Presentation)
• Potential Data Streams for Red Abalone Fishery Management (PowerPoint Presentation)
• De Minimis Fishery Concept (PowerPoint Presentation)
• Webinar Recording

July 18, 2019 Project Team Meeting: Key Themes Summary

Recreational Red Abalone FMP Project Team Meeting #1: Review and Discuss Management Strategies and Brainstorm on Managed/Restricted Access Fishery Options: May 22, 2019 Meeting Agenda + Meeting Materials:

• May 22, 2019 Project Team Meeting Agenda (In-person meeting in Santa Rosa, CA)
• Project Team Draft Work Plan
• Project Team Charter (Updated June 2019)
• Presentations from Project Team Meeting (May 22, 2019)
  • Red Abalone Fishery Management Plan (FMP) Development Process (CDFW)
  • Peer Review Summary
  • Red Abalone FMP Management Strategy Integration Process Overview (Admin Team)
  • Management Strategies: Intro to Integration Tools & Guidance on Next Steps 
  • Restricted Access Fishery Possibilities (CDFW)
• Worksheet from Breakout Group Discussions during Project Team Meeting (May 22, 2019)
• California Ocean Science Trust Recreational Red Abalone Fishery Peer Review webpage (here)
  • Peer review report (here)
• Recommendations from December 2018 Fish and Game Commission meeting (here)
• CDFW Red Abalone FMP webpage
• Abalone Recovery and Management Plan (ARMP) (CDFW)

May 22, 2019 Project Team Meeting: Key Themes Summary

Project Team Meetings + Webinars: Draft Schedule

• May 22, 2019 (in-person in Santa Rosa)
• July 18, 2019 (webinar)
• August 27, 2019 (in-person in Santa Rosa)
• September 19, 2019 (webinar)
• November 21, 2019 (in-person in Santa Rosa)
• December 19, 2019 (webinar)

The FGC Marine Resources Committee is planning to meet on November 5, 2019, and the FGC is planning to meet on December 11-12, 2019.

Project Team Proposals 

Proposals and ideas related to the red abalone FMP process for the Project Team’s consideration, including proposals for a de minimis/restricted/managed access fishery, etc. All proposals must be received no later than the July 2019 Project Team meeting to be considered by the Project Team. Please submit proposals to hello@strategicearth.com. All proposals will be made publicly available.

Proposals received from Project Team members and interested members of the public:

• Jack Likins- Submitted May 22, 2019 Project Team meeting
• Steven Rebuck- Submitted May 22, 2019 Project Team meeting
• Brandi Easter- Submitted May 22, 2019 Project Team meeting
• Don Thompson- Submitted May 22, 2019 Project Team meeting
• Steven Rebuck- Submitted June 12, 2019
• Edward Schulze- Submitted June 19, 2019
• Ken Morrill- Submitted June 26, 2019
• Brandi Easter – Submitted July 10, 2019
• Doug Jung- Submitted August 11, 2019
• Steve Rebuck- Submitted August 12, 2019
• Scott Taylor – Submitted September 2019
• Jack Likins – Submitted September 24, 2019
• Jan Freiwald – Submitted October 3, 2019
• Ken Morrill – Submitted October 9, 2019
• Petition for New Abalone Management Zone – Submitted October 18, 2019
• Ken Morrill – Submitted November 18, 2019
• Ed Schulze – Submitted November 19, 2019
• Steven Rebuck – Submitted November 29, 2019
  • Supplemental materials here and here
• Don Thompson – Submitted December 18, 2019

Photo: Derek Stein

Additional Resources

• Project Team Charter (Updated June 2019)
• Administrative Team Charter (Updated October 2019)
• OPC Scientific Peer Review project webpage
• California Ocean Science Trust Recreational Red Abalone Fishery Peer Review webpage (here)
  • Peer review report (here)
• Recommendations from December 2018 Fish and Game Commission meeting (here)
• Abalone Recovery and Management Plan (CDFW)
• For more information, please visit the CDFW Red Abalone FMP webpage

OPC & Strategic Earth Grant Agreement: Red Abalone Proposed Management Strategies Integration, Project Team
Support

To support this process, OPC entered into a grant agreement with Strategic Earth to provide neutral facilitation support of the Project Team process to inform integration of the red abalone management strategies. Strategic Earth will develop meeting summaries and other related deliverables per the grant agreement, which will be posted publicly on this OPC red abalone project webpage. Supporting information regarding approval of this grant agreement may be found in the Executive Director’s report (page 4 and page 11) for the May 23, 2019, OPC meeting.

Timeline: May 2019 – March 2020

Grant Amount: Up to $79,081

Grantee: Strategic Earth

California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group – October 2018 Recommendations Memo

Since September 2015, the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group (Working Group), a
diverse multi-stakeholder group, has been taking steps to identify and reduce risk of whale entanglements in Dungeness crab fishing gear. During the 2017-18 fishing season, the Working Group piloted a Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (RAMP) to support the state in working with experts—agencies, fishermen, researchers, representatives from environmental organizations (NGOs), and others—to identify and assess elevated levels of entanglement risk, explore information needs, and determine the need for management options that could be recommended to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This October 2018 Recommendations Memo provides updates and 2018-19 recommendations to advance the Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (RAMP) and reduce whale entanglements. For more information, please visit the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group homepage, and the RAMP homepage.

OPC Sponsors California Track of Fish 2.0 – Apply to Participate in a Free Workshop on November 28-29, 2018

On July 25, 2018, the Ocean Protection Council approved funding to support a California track of Fish 2.0 through online trainings, webinars, regional and global workshops and other activities to enhance sustainability of fisheries and fishing communities through innovation. The California track of Fish 2.0 is now launched and the California workshop is set for November 28-29 in San Francisco. Any California seafood businesses involved in any aspect of seafood supply chains, climate resilience technologies or seafood production, harvesting and trade, are eligible to apply to participate in this free workshop. The online competition of the California track of Fish 2.0 will begin directly after the November 28-29 workshop. Additional details and the workshop flyer are available on the Fish 2.0 California Track homepage, as well as on OPC’s Fish 2.0 California track project page.

CaLCOFI: Innovative Data Products & Tools for Ocean Resources Management Presentation- Video Recording Available

California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) Director, Brice Semmens, presented on CalCOFI’s innovative data products and tools for ocean resources management at a public presentation in the California State Library on Tuesday, September 18th, 2018. A video recording is now available. Ocean Protection Council partnered with Scripps Institution of Oceanography and UC San Diego to host this presentation. For more information, please visit CalCOFI’s homepage.

Announcing OPC’s New Logo and Look

The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is thrilled to present its new logo. After almost fifteen years, we are releasing a new brand identity, including a new logo, colors and font. You’ll see the new look anytime we’re out in public, like our website, reports and other documents, and Twitter. We believe the new look better matches what OPC has become since 2004: a leader in coastal and ocean protection in California, nationally, and internationally.

For more information about OPC’s work, including agendas for quarterly Council meetings where the public is encouraged to participate, grant funding opportunities, science and policy papers, OPC job postings and more, please visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About the new logo

Developed by talented Los Angeles freelance graphic designer and animator Taylor Beldy, the artwork is an abstract representation of the California coast and ocean and evokes imagery of waves, underwater surface reflections, kelp forest, and the connection between land and sea.

Taylor Beldy is a designer, animator, and artist from Los Angeles, California. Working with the California Ocean Protection Council to reinvent their visual identity has cemented his core belief that design works best when informed by varying contexts, opinions, and areas of expertise. Moving forward, Mr. Beldy intends to collaborate with environmental conservation groups, scientists, stakeholders, and lawmakers across California to develop products and tools that address the spectrum of environmental issues facing our planet. He earned a B.F.A. from the Rhode Island School of Design in Film/Animation/Video and has worked with the New York Times, National Geographic, and screened independent films at festivals around the world. On the weekends, Mr. Beldy can be found exploring the California coastline, making prints, or working on a new film. For more information and samples of his work, visit his website at www.tay-bel.com. To collaborate, email him at taylorcbeldy@gmail.com.

Dungeness Crab Task Force Informational Materials

Click here to return to the main DCTF webpage.

General Materials

• Memorandum submitted to CDFW on July 19, 2018: Guidance memo from the California Dungeness Crab Task Force to support California’s participation in the July 2018 Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee Meeting
• Public Comment Letter submitted to CDFW on June 28, 2018: Suggested Amendments to Title 14 Proposed Rulemaking, Section 132.6
• Letter of Support for Senate Bills 1309 and 1310- 6/15/2018
• Press Release: California Dungeness Crab Fishermen Take Proactive Steps to Reduce Risk of Whale Entanglements – 11/17/2015

Draft Regulations

• Draft Regulations (03/30/2012)
• Draft Regulations (03/08/2012)

Background Documents (Per SB369)

Member Informational Binder

• Table of Contents
• Senate Bill 369 (Evans, 2011)
• Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act
• DCTF Member Roster
• Commercial Regulations
• Sport Fishing Regulations
• Key Resources (website, listserv, contact information)

General

• Guidelines for Providing Public Comment – revised October 2014
• Guidelines to Submit Requests DCTF & Executive Committee Agenda Items – revised March 2018

Background Documents (Per SB1690)

• DCTF Background Documents
• Informational materials provided to DCTF Members
• DCTF  Situational Analysis – May 2009

DCTF Documents

• DCTF Updated Charter – October 2014
• 2018-2019 DCTF Work Plan- Approved June 6, 2018
• Team Roles– DCTF team roles as of Mar 12, 2012.
• Sport Fishery Workgroup Outputs– Summary from the Sport Fishery Workgroup teleconference meeting held Oct 1, 2009
• DCTF Final Charter-Revised– DCTF operating procedures approved Mar 12, 2012.
• DCTF Final Charter– DCTF operating procedures approved Sep 8, 2009.

Interim/Milestone Documents and Materials

• Conditional Management Measures Survey– Provided to DCTF Members between meetings 3 and 4 to discuss with their constituents
• DCTF Summary of Final Votes from Meeting 4
• Key Topics for Meeting 5– Provided to DCTF Members prior to Meeting 5 to discuss with their constituents
• Proposed Objectives for Meeting 5– Provided to DCTF Members prior to Meeting 5 to discuss with their constituents
• Management Approach Straw Poll from Day 1 of meeting 5
• DCTF Summary of Final Votes from Meeting 5
• Amendments to SB1093 proposed by DCTF (7/9/10)– Based on Meeting 6 discussions
• Amendments to SB1093 for the DCTF’s consideration– distributed to the DCTF prior to Meeting 7 (based on the August 2, 2010 version of SB1093)
• Amendments to SB1093 proposed by DCTF (8/10/10)– Based on Meeting 7 discussions

Click here to return to the main DCTF webpage.

Please direct all DCTF related questions and comments to info@dungenesscrabtaskforce.com.

To stay informed about upcoming meetings and other DCTF related activities, sign up for the DCTF email list.

Dungeness Crab Task Force Executive Committee Meeting Archive Page

Click here to return to the main DCTF webpage.

Previous DCTF Executive Committee meetings and materials are listed below, starting with the most recent.

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – June 29, 2022

• CDFW Guidance for Testing Trap Fishing Gear Modifications – June 2019
• Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group: Guidelines for Research and Development Projects Focus on Ropeless Gear Innovations
• Experimental Fishing Permit Program Information
• The Nature Conservancy’s Experimental Fishing Permit Program User Guide
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – May 4, 2022

• Draft Options for Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Capacity
• Tri-State Line Marking Discussion, May 13, 2020
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – September 23, 2021

• Options/Considerations for Exploring a Commercial Dungeness Crab Permit Draft Buyout Program Worksheet for Executive Committee Review/Use to Share with DCTF
• DCTF Buyback Worksheet: Trinidad (April 2020)
• Pacific Groundfish Buyback Program: History, Status, and Solution
• Meeting Summary

Dungeness Crab Task Force Executive Committee Meeting – June 10, 2021

• CDFW Presentation: Update on Electronic Monitoring, June 10, 2021
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – February 26, 2021

• Explanation of proposed changes to Fish and Game Code §8280.3
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – September 9, 2020 – Cancelled due to lack of quorum

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – July 6, 2020

• April 14, 2020 DCTF Executive Committee Summary
• CDFW Dungeness Crab Trap Limit Account: Worksheet of Projected Balances Resulting from Adjustments to Buoy Tag Fees
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – April 14, 2020

• Options/Considerations for Exploring a Commercial Dungeness Crab Permit Draft Buyout Program Worksheet for Executive Committee Review/Use to Share with DCTF
  • DCTF Buyback Worksheet: Trinidad (April 2020)
• Pacific Groundfish Buyback Program: History, Status, and Solution
• Senate Bill 1128
• California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group
• 2019-2021 Work Plan Implementation for DCTF Review/Use
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – August 29, 2018

• 2018-19 DCTF Work Plan
• Senate Bill 1309
• Senate Bill 1310
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Dungeness Crab Trap Surface Gear Limitations and Gear Removal Time
• CA Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – April 12, 2018

• Draft 2018-19 DCTF Work Plan
• Senate Bill 1309
• Senate Bill 1310
• Senate Bill 1287 (2015-16 Legislative session)
• CA Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group
• CA Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group: March 2018 Mid-Season Risk Assessment Update
• Requests Future Meeting Agenda Items – April 12, 2018
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – October 3, 2017

• Draft October 16-18, 2017 Meeting Outline
• Frequently Asked Questions: Fair Start, December 20, 2016- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Frequently Asked Questions: Fair Start, November 8, 2016- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Frequently Asked Questions: Harmful Algal Blooms and California Fisheries– Ocean Science Trust
• Draft Proposal, Management of Districts 6 and 7 Under Delay Scenario
• 2017-18 Best Fishing Practices Guide
• CA Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group: Fact Sheet
• CA Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group: Statement of Research Priorities
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – September 19, 2017

• Options for the Composition of a Dungeness Crab Industry-Representative Body – Updated September 13, 2017
• DRAFT Decision Tree: Establishing a California Dungeness Crab Industry-led Organization- Updated September 10, 2017
• Fish and Game Code 8276.4
• Considerations for Establishing an Industry-Representative Organization
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – August 25, 2017

• 2017 Calendar of DCTF Activities
• DCTF Topics and Approach through October 2017
• Fish and Game Code 8280
• 14 CCR § 132.2- Waiver for a Permitted Dungeness Crab Vessel to Retrieve Another Vessel’s Dungeness Crab Traps
• SeaDoc Society Poll, In-Season Trap Recovery
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – June 30, 2017

• Options for the Composition of a Dungeness Crab Industry-Representative Body – UPDATED June 29, 2017
• Senate Bill 92- Public Resources including landings fees
• Status of Marilleyvs McCamman et. al.
• 2017 Calendar of DCTF Activities
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting — April 11, 2017

• Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Program, Options Document
• Draft Outline for 2017 Calendar of DCTF Activities
• Draft Proposal, Management of Districts 6 and 7 Under Delay Scenario
• Executive Committee Draft Options for the Composition of a Dungeness Crab Industry-Representative Body – March 21, 2017
• Proportion Landings by Home Port Summary, CDFW Data Presented at October 25-26, 2016 DCTF Meeting
• Replacement Tags Summary, CDFW Data Presented at October 25-26, 2016 DCTF Meeting
• DCTF Administrative Accounting Summary
• Press release: Experts gather to reduce whale interactions with Dungeness crab fishing gear
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – March 14, 2017

• DCTF Administrative Accounting Summary
• Options for the Composition of a Dungeness Crab Industry-Representative Body – UPDATED March 10, 2017
• Proportion Landings by Home Port Summary, CDFW Data Presented at October 25-26, 2016 DCTF Meeting
• Replacement Tags Summary, CDFW Data Presented at October 25-26, 2016 DCTF Meeting
• Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Program, Options Document
• Draft Outline for 2017 Calendar of DCTF Activities
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – August 26, 2016

• Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Program Bill: Senate Bill 1287 Documents and Analyses (via http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/)
• California Department of Public Health, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Memo: Domoic Acid Background and Potential Option for Future Events
• Frequently Asked Questions: Harmful Algal Blooms and California Fisheries
• Considerations for Supporting ongoing DCTF Activities
• Coastal Dungeness Crab Tri-state Committee 2016 Meeting Summary
• Presentation from August 11 Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture Hearing from Raphael Kudela – Harmful Algal Blooms and Domoic Acid: Latest Forecast and a Look Ahead to the Upcoming Season
• Assembly Bill 164- Claims Against the State: Payment
• Marilley v. McCamman (United States District Court, Northern District of California, Case No. 11-cv-2418-DMR)
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – March 3, 2016

• CDFW Domoic Acid Sampling Maps (Updated 2/26/16)
• Senate Bill 1287 – Whale Protection and Crab Gear Retrieval Act
• Long-Term Function of the DCTF, Considerations for Funding and Structure
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – February 16, 2016

• CDFW Domoic Acid Sampling Maps (Updated 2/12/16)
• Draft Dungeness Crab Gear Retrieval Program/Whale Protection Legislation (updated January 11, 2016)
• CDFW Press Release: Recreational Dungeness Crab Fisheries Open South of Point Reyes
• Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery– CDFW Frequently Asked Questions (updated 2/12/16)
• Public Comment: Mike Zamboni
• Draft Annotated Dungeness Crab Gear Retrieval Program/Whale Protection Legislation (updated February 15, 2016)
• Letter from HMBSMA (updated February 15, 2016)
• Letter from Crescent City, Humboldt, & Trinidad (updated February 15, 2016)
• Public Comment for 2/16/2016 EC Meeting
• PCFFA Comments on the commercial Dungeness crab fishery opener
• Stephen Melz et al Comments on the commercial Dungeness crab fishery opener
• February 16, 2015 Guidance Memo regarding opening of the Dungeness crab commercial fishery
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – January 28, 2016

• CDFW 12/18/2015 Update: California Crab Fisheries, Domoic Acid
• CDFW Domoic Acid Sampling Maps (Updated 1/25/16)
• California Department of Public Health Domoic Acid Test Results
• Legislators ask Governor to declare a crab disaster
• CDFW Law Enforcement Division Response to January 2016 DCTF Legislative Report
• HMB Industry-Led Crab Gear Retrieval Program (Jan 2016)
• California Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project Results and Cost Estimate (Jan 2016)
• Public Comment: Video- High Hopes | The Future of Dungeness Crab
• Draft Dungeness Crab Gear Retrieval Program/Whale Protection Legislation (updated January 11, 2016)
• California Department of Public Health Q&A for 1/28/16 EC Meeting
• NOAA Fishery Disaster FAQs
• SBA Economic Injury Worksheet
• CDFW Q&A developed for 1/28/16 EC Meeting
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – December 22, 2015

• CDFW 12/18/2015 Update: California Crab Fisheries, Domoic Acid
• CDFW Domoic Acid Sampling Maps
• California Department of Public Health Domoic Acid Test Results
• Public comment, Andrew Guiliano
• January 11, 2016 Guidance Memo regarding domoic acid levels in Dungeness crab
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – Emergency Session -November 5, 2015

• Guidance Memo regarding domoic acid levels in Dungeness crab
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting -September 2, 2015

• Update to the EC from the DCTF Admin Team, OPC, and CDFW 8/28/2015
• California Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Program Comparison
• Coast Guard Safety Alert- Commercial Fishing Vessel “Work-Lights” Create Potential Night Time Navigation Hazard
• Gear Retrieval Program Proposal from David Helliwell
  • Washington Gear Recovery Permit
  • Washington Gear Recovery Log Example
  • Washington Gear Recovery Program House Bill 1516
  • Washington Gear Recovery Program House Rule Adoption
    
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – August 14, 2015

• CDFW Data: Potential Number of Lost Traps (2013-2015)
• 2014 Crab Gear Retrieval Program Final Report
• April 28, 2015 Letter to Director Bonham from CBD, EarthJustice, & Oceana
• June 26, 2015 Letter to Director Bonham from CBD & EarthJustice
• U.S. west coast large whale entanglement information sharing workshop report- November 13-14, 2013
• August 20 Public Meeting to Discuss Whale Entanglements– information and agenda
• Update to the EC from the DCTF Admin Team, OPC, and CDFW
• Dungeness Crab Commercial Trap Limit Evaluation: Evaluations Topics
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting Agenda – May 19, 2015

• CDFW Data: Maximum Potential Traps Fished (2013-2015)
• Update to the EC from the DCTF Admin Team, OPC, and CDFW
• Proposed Whale Entanglement Process Design
• NMFS Presentation: Management of Whale Entanglements on US West Coast
• Draft memo from EC to OR/WA – Update and Information request for CA commercial Dungeness crab trap limit program
• Meeting Summary

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting Agenda – April 20, 2015

• Executive Committee Meeting Summary – April 20, 2015
• Trap Limit Program CDFW Accounting: March 20, 2015
• February 19, 2014 Email from George Osborn to MRC regarding potential legislation
• Gear Retrieval Program Proposal from David Helliwell
  • Washington Gear Recovery Permit
  • Washington Gear Recovery Log Example
  • Washington Gear Recovery Program House Bill 1516
  • Washington Gear Recovery Program House Rule Adoption
• Public Comment: West Coast Whale Entanglement Information from Oceana

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting Agenda – October 15, 2014

• CDFW Commercial Fishing Data: Updates Dungeness Crab Trap Limit Program & Summary of Fishery Landings 2013-2014 Season
• Proposal regarding a gear retrieval program for DCTF consideration
• Executive Committee Meeting Summary – October 15, 2014

DCTF Executive Committee Conference Call Meeting Summary – February 27, 2014

DCTF Executive Committee Conference Call Meeting Summary – November 8, 2013

DCTF Executive Committee Conference Call Meeting Summary – October 10, 2012

• Memo regarding the Development of Recommendations for Temporary Crab Quality Testing Funding Guidelines (AB 2363)

DCTF Executive Committee Update – June 2012

DCTF Executive Committee Conference Call Meeting Summary – May 24, 2012

• Letter from DCTF Executive Committee to Director Bonham

DCTF Executive Committee Meeting – May 10, 2012

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