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CATALINA BOATING AND FISHING GUIDE

A brief overview of opportunities on the water

@KellyHayes

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OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATION

Introduction to Catalina
Science of marine conservation
Deep dive into local marine protected areas (MPAs)
Species you may encounter
Guide to fishing in the area
Local engagement with your coast

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WELCOME TO CATALINA

23 miles offshore from LA – part of Channel Islands archipelago of 8 islands
Formed by tectonic plate activity
Two main settlements – Avalon and Two Harbors
Home to 9 MPAs:

2 No-Take SMCAs = purple
6 SMCAs = blue
1 SMRs = red

YOU ARE

HERE!

This slide shows a map of Catalina and the surrounding waters.

The island is located about 23 miles offshore from mainland Los Angeles. Catalina is part of the Channel Islands archipelago, made up of 8 islands in total.
Catalina Island was formed through tectonic plate activity. This occurred as the Farallon Plate subducted underneath the North American Plate. Catalina is the only Channel Island with a significant permanent settlement - Two Harbors and Avalon, as seen on the map.
Catalina has 9 marine protected areas, or MPAs, of which 2 are no-take state marine conservation areas, shown in purple on the map, 6 are state marine conservations areas that allow certain take, show in blue, and 1 is a state marine reserves, shown in red.
The island is also home to the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National Park.
Fun facts: The Chicago Cubs trained on Catalina from 1921 to 1951 and Avalon's golf course was created in 1892, making it oldest course in Southern California.

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TRIBAL HISTORY

Tongva (Kizh) original inhabitants
Island known as Pimugna or Pimu
Main food: shellfish (abalone)

gathered seeds, nuts, roots, berries

Prolific traders, excellent seamen and master boat builders
Built ti’ats (breath of the ocean) to paddle between mainland and islands

@Archives Historical Society

Now we will discuss tribal history of Catalina:

The Tongva were the original inhabitants, living on the southern Channel Islands and mainland near Los Angeles Basin. The island was known as Pimugna or Pimu and the Tongva thrived here by relying on the rich marine resources to feed and clothe themselves. Shellfish, primarily abalone, were the main food source.
The Tongva were prolific traders, excellent seamen, and master boat builders who constructed ocean-going canoes, called ti’ats, to paddle skillfully across the treacherous channel to trade with peoples on the mainland and the other Channel Islands.
By the 1820s the island was discovered by Europeans and disease broke out among members of the Tongva people. The remaining members relocated to the mainland, founding their own village known as by the Spanish as Ranchería de los Pipimares. The Tongva people were relocated serval times and over time absorbed into the Tongva community of current-day Southern California. Despite the Tongva’s long settlement in the area, most people are unfamiliar with them.

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HISTORY OF CATALINA

Inhabited for >8,000 years
First European explorer anchored off Avalon in 1542
Island sold to William Wrigley Jr. in 1919
1970s, 88% of island deeded to the Catalina Island Conservancy

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HOME OF BIG GAME FISHING

1898 – Charles Holder catches 183-pound bluefin tuna
Battles the fish for 3 hours, 45 minutes - towed 10 miles
Catch viewed as birth of modern big-game sportfishing
Establishment of Catalina Tuna Club

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COASTAL RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

©Rosa Laucci

©

©K Lane

©Rosa Laucci

©Veronica Jauriqui

BOATING

FISHING

HIKING

WHALE WATCHING

SCUBA DIVING

KAYAKING

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CATALINA HARBORS

Two harbors - transient berths or tie ups
Avalon Harbor
Avalon Marine Dock, Descanso Bay, Hamilton Cove

©Peter

Two Harbors is 22 miles from the mainland and sits in the isthmus of the island and offers transient berths or tie ups. The Two Harbors system offers over 700 moorings and anchorages in more than a dozen different sites, including Isthmus, Fourth of July, and Cherry Coves, Emerald Bay, Howland’s Landing, Little Geiger, White’s Landing, Moonstone, Hen Rock, Buttonshell, Catalina Harbor and Wells Beach.

Avalon Harbor is on the south and east side of Catalina about 26 miles from Newport Beach. The moorings are patrolled by the City of Avalon Harbor Department who assign on a first come first serve basis. It is the launching point for all Catalina Island Company ocean tours and cruise ships. The main harbor has 258 moorings but is very close to Descanso Bay and Hamilton Cove, which hold additional moorings.

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BOAT RAMPS CLOSE TO CATALINA

Redondo Beach
Cabrillo Marina
California Yacht Marina
Fish Harbor
L.A. Harbor
Long Beach
Huntington Beach Boat Ramp
Sunset Aquatic Marina
Newport Dunes Launch Ramp
Balboa Yacht Club Marina
Dana Point Ramp
Embarcadero Marina

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5

2,3,4

6

7,8

9,10

11, 12

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CATALINA MOORINGS

Catalina Island Company Moorings

Reserve online
700+ moorings and anchorage options
visitcatalinaisland.com

Avalon Harbor Department Moorings

First-come, first-serve
Hundreds of moorings
cityofavalon.com

Emerald Bay

Little Geiger Cove

Howland’s Landing

Catalina Harbor

Isthmus Cove

Fourth of July Cove

Cherry Cove

Button Shell Beach

Hen Rock

White’s Landing

Moonstone Beach

Hamilton Cove

Descanso Bay

Casino Point

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SCIENCE OF MARINE CONSERVATION

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WHAT IS A MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA)?

©Jim Johnston

©California State Parks

©Chad King/NPAA

Marine Protected Areas (or MPAs) are protected areas of the ocean created to ensure conservation and sustainability of marine resources for the future.

They are important to YOU and here’s why:

Fish populations are in decline worldwide

MPAs may increase abundance, size and biodiversity (variety of marine life), including fish

Many MPAs protect critical breeding, nursery and feeding habitats for fish and other marine species

Ex.) kelp bass benefit from MPAs that protect kelp forests, such as Long Point SMR

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CALIFORNIA’S NETWORK OF MPAS

124 State MPAs, including 14 Special Closures

Protect 16% of California’s waters

9% no-take
84% of waters not designated as MPAs

Network completed in 2012

Managed by CDFW

Visit wildlife.ca.gov/MPAs

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A Variety of habitats

MPAS PROTECT A VARIETY OF HABITATS

SOFT-OCEAN BOTTOMS

SUBMARINE CANYONS

KELP FORESTS

INTERTIDAL

ESTUARIES

ROCKY REEFS

The MPA network contains representative habitats found throughout coastal waters, including estuaries, intertidal zones, rocky reefs, kelp forests, soft-ocean bottoms and submarine canyons.

SANDY BEACHES

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STATE MARINE RESERVES

CANNOT Take, harm, or pursue anything -living or nonliving- from these areas.

CAN Swim, dive, sail, surf, snorkel, kayak, tide pool, and explore!

MULTI-USE AREA NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES

CAN Take most species recreationally & commercially with a license.

CAN Swim, dive, sail, surf, snorkel, kayak, tide pool, and explore!

STATE MARINE

CONSERVATION AREAS

CAN Take certain species recreationally & commercially with a license.

CAN Swim, dive, sail, surf, snorkel, kayak, tide pool, and explore!

WHAT CAN YOU DO IN YOUR MPA?

Many kinds of MPAs--- while National Sanctuaries don’t limit take, State MPAs may limit some or all fishing and collecting.

“Take” means to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, fish, mollusks, or crustaceans or attempting to do so.

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FINFISH & COASTAL PELAGIC SPECIES

Finfish = any species of bony fish or cartilaginous fish (sharks, skates & rays). Some examples:

Coastal pelagic species include:

Northern anchovy © NOAA

Pacific sardine © NOAA

Pacific mackerel © NOAA

market squid © NOAA

jack mackerel © CDFW

lingcod © NOAA

Pacific shortfin mako shark © NOAA

yellowtail rockfish© NOAA

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PELAGIC FINFISH

barracudas © CDFW

Northern anchovy © NOAA

dolphinfish © NOAA

Pacific herring © NOAA

jack mackerel © CDFW

salmon © NOAA

Pacific mackerel © NOAA

Pacific sardine © NOAA

blue shark © CDFW

Pacific shortfin mako shark © NOAA

thresher shark © CDFW

swordfish © NOAA

Pacific bonito © CDFW

yellowtail © CDFW

billfishes © CDFW

tunas © NOAA

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BIG OLD FERTILE FEMALE FISH (BOFFF)

Average numbers of young produced by three different sizes of vermillion rockfish.

Data: Love et al. (1990) NOAA Technical Report

Older, fatter females are much more important to reproduction than younger, smaller fish. This concept called BOFFF is key to why MPAs can and do work for replenishing our oceans.

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SPILLOVER: BENEFITS TO FISHERIES

One way that MPAs can support fisheries is through spillover.

Marine life can flourish inside MPAs, as the abundance increases inside the reserve, they will move outside the boundaries. This is called spillover.
The amount of spillover depends on the mobility of each species.
For example, bluefin tuna travel great distances throughout their lifetime.
While these more mobile species like tuna will move through protected areas, species with smaller home ranges such as lobster, California sheephead, or rockfish are likely to benefit from the protected area.
New studies are shedding more light on this concept, but we do know that through spillover, MPA benefits not only happen inside the boundaries, but can export benefits outside their boundaries.
Fishermen are well-aware of “fishing the line” which is the phrase that describes anglers fishing close to the boundaries of an MPA in order to reap the benefits of spillover, by catching more and larger fish.
Benefits from protection takes time to accrue.

In California, increases in abundance for many species are not likely to become detectable for at least 10 years after implementation.

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CALIFORNIA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREAS�(MPAS)

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CATALINA MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAS)

Arrow Point to Lion Head Point SMCA
Blue Cavern Offshore SMCA
Blue Cavern Onshore No-Take SMCA
Casino Point No-Take SMCA
Lover’s Cove SMCA
Farnsworth Offshore SMCA
Farnsworth Onshore SMCA
Cat Harbor SMCA

9. Long Point SMR

STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS (SMCA)

NO-TAKE STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS (No-TAKE SMCA)

STATE MARINE RESERVES (SMR)

“Take” means to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, fish, mollusks, or crustaceans or attempting to do so.

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SMR	Restrictions
Long Point SMR	Take of all living marine resources, including shells and rocks, is prohibited.
Marine Protected Area	Allowable Take
Casino Point SMCA (No-Take)	Recreational and commercial take of all living marine resources is prohibited. Feeding of fish for marine life viewing is permitted.
Blue Cavern Onshore SMCA (No-Take)	Recreational and commercial take of all living marine resources is prohibited. No anchoring or mooring within the former Catalina Marine Science Center Marine Life Refuge.
Blue Cavern Offshore SMCA	Recreational take of market squid by hand-held dip net, pelagic finfish by hook-and-line or by spearfishing, and white seabass by spearfishing. Commercial take of pelagic finfish by hook-and-line, and swordfish by harpoon.
Lover’s Cove SMCA	Recreational take by hook-and-line from Cabrillo Mole only. Feeding of fish for marine life viewing is allowed.

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Marine Protected Area	Allowable Take
Arrow Point To Lion Head Point SMCA	Recreational take of marine plants and finfish. Take of invertebrates is prohibited.
Cat Harbor SMCA	Recreational take of lobster and sea urchin. Squid by hook-and-line, and finfish by hook-and-line or spearfishing. Commercial take of lobster and sea urchin, and sea cucumber by diving only.
Farnsworth Onshore SMCA	Recreational take of market squid by hand-held dip net; white seabass and pelagic finfish by spearfishing; and marlin, tuna and dorado by trolling. Commercial take of coastal pelagic species by round haul net, brail gear, and light boat; swordfish by harpoon.
Farnsworth Offshore SMCA	Recreational take of market squid by hand-held dip net; white seabass by spearfishing; pelagic finfish by hook-and-line or spearfishing, and marlin, tuna and dorado by trolling. Commercial take of coastal pelagic species by round haul net, brail gear and light boat; and swordfish by harpoon.

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CHANNEL ISLANDS National Marine Sanctuary and National Park

Marine Sanctuary protects 1470 square miles of ocean waters
Channel Islands National Park within Marine Sanctuary, covers islands and part of ocean
Geographic and oceanographic factors make this region incredibly unique

Kelp forests house over 1,000 species of plants and animals

Network of 11 SMRs, 2 SMCAs, and 2 special closures

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LONG POINT SMR

©California State Parks

CASINO POINT SMCA (NO-TAKE)

Sheltered scuba and snorkel paradise

Popular dive site - two deep, sunken shipwrecks

Horn sharks, giant seabass, garibaldi, and gorgonians

Fish from Green Pleasure pier, around corner in Avalon

Hundreds of moorings available

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LONG POINT SMR

©California State Parks

BLUE CAVERN ONSHORE SMCA (NO-TAKE)

BLUE CAVERN OFFSHORE SMCA

@DSmith

Total 10.31 sq. miles including Bird Rock
Dense kelp forests, emergent rocks, and sand flats
Sheephead, calico bass, gorgonians & lobsters common
No-take in onshore SMCA
Big Fisherman's Cove, nearby Isthmus Reef, and Blue Cavern Point host a variety of renowned scuba diving sites

Blue Cavern Onshore and Offshore SMCAs are located on the northern side of Catalina, together protecting 10.31 miles of ocean habitat including Bird Rock and highly diverse features including headland, coves, sea caves, walls, reefs, stable sand habitats and unique offshore rocks and reefs and key habitats of giant kelp, elk kelp, and surfgrass.
Big Fisherman's Cove, nearby Isthmus Reef, and Blue Cavern Point host a variety of renowned scuba diving sites. Wrigley Marine Science Center is even home to hyperbaric chamber.
All take is prohibited within the Onshore SMCA. But in the Offshore SCMA, rrecreational take of market squid by hand-held dip net, pelagic finfish by hook-and-line or by spearfishing, and white seabass by spearfishing are all permitted.
There are anchorage spots within Fisherman’s Cove. Common species sighted here include sheephead, calico bass, gorgonians, halibut, rockfishes, lobsters, kelp bass, abalone, lobster, cucumbers, mussels, limpets, and rock scallops.

,

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LONG POINT SMR

©California State Parks

LOVER’S COVE SMCA

Cabrillo Mole Pier offers great fishing by hook and line
Moorings available Avalon Harbor
Calm and pristine cove, dense forest of giant kelp
SMCA just 0.06 square miles
Popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving
Garibaldi and kelp bass abound

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ARROW POINT TO LION HEAD POINT SMCA

NW side - almost 3 miles of shoreline
Mooring sites available
Best time to fish spring and summer and when squid show up

Calico bass, white sea bass, halibut, bonito and sseasonal migrating yellowtail, barracuda, and dorado

Emerald Bay, just east of Arrow Point boasts world-renowned snorkeling and diving and is home to youth camp

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LONG POINT SMR

Full of lush kelp forests and garibaldis, sheephead, leopard sharks, bat rays, sea lions and harbor seals
All-weather harbor, protected in most weather
Exposed to open ocean conditions, outer edge of the harbor can be rough, but on a calm day, perfect spot for diving and kayaking

CAT HARBOR SMCA

©Spline9

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Most remote MPA – on backside of island featuring a wave exposed and productive area
Farnsworth MPA 1 : 33.21.00 / 118.29.05 no fishing east of this line
Offshore SMCA protects

Farnsworth Bank, series of pinnacles
Rare purple hydrocoral

Species to benefit: rockfishes, kelp bass, scorpionfish, giant sea bass, sheephead, angel shark, abalone, lobster, cucumbers, and rock scallops
Endangered intertidal black abalone and subtidal white abalone habitat

FARNSWORTH ONSHORE SMCA

FARNSWORTH OFFSHORE SMCA

The most remote of Catalina’s MPAs, Farnsworth Onshore and Offshore SMCAs are located on the backside of Catalina, south of Ben Weston Point.
Within the Onshore SMCA, recreational take of market squid by hand-held dip net; white seabass and pelagic finfish by spearfishing; and marlin, tuna and dorado by trolling and commercial take of coastal pelagic species by round haul net, brail gear, and light boat; swordfish by harpoon are all allowed.
Farnsworth Offshore SMCA, allows recreational take of market squid by hand-held dip net; white seabass by spearfishing; pelagic finfish by hook-and-line or spearfishing, and marlin, tuna and dorado by trolling. Commercial take of coastal pelagic species by round haul net, brail gear and light boat; and swordfish by harpoon.

contains Farnsworth Bank which is a series of pinnacles rising to as shallow as 45 feet from a soft sediment sea floor. Schools of mackerel, sardines and barracuda circle above bank and giant seabass, torpedo electric rays, and yellowtail seen often.

This is a very popular dive spot and divers can see lots of rare and unique purple hydrocoral.
Species to benefit are rockfishes, kelp bass, scorpionfish, giant sea bass, sheephead, angel shark, abalone, lobster, cucumbers, and rock scallops and it also protects endangered intertidal black abalone and subtidal white abalone habitat.

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MARINE SPECIES OF INTEREST

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LOCAL FISH SPECIES

GARIBALDI

BARRACUDA

CALICO BASS

SAND BASS

SURFPERCH

HALIBUT

There are a variety of fish that you may encounter on the sandy and rocky shores of Santa Barbara county and the Channel Islands. Rockfish are a popular target for anglers, and can be found along the coast in Santa Barbara County.
Garibaldi are actually the California state fish and a relative to the coral reef’s angelfish and clownfish. The adult is a striking orange that you can even spot walking the shoreline in Avalon, and the juvenile garibaldi is a deeper orange, with sparkling spots of electric blue and blue-trimmed fins.
Barracuda are a frequent catch in the area, especially the Channel Islands. Calico bass are a prized gamefish, found in the kelp forests ands and bass are also common in this area. Halibut can be found in sandy, rocky, and even pelagic. Many types of surfperch are also common in this region.

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LOCAL FISH SPECIES

COPPER ROCKFISH

GREENSPOTTED ROCKFISH

BLUE ROCKFISH

BLACK ROCKFISH

KELP GREENLING

CDFW

BOCACCIO

Over 90 species of rockfish, which are part of the larger group of fish known as groundfish, can be found living on or near the bottom of the ocean.
These are some of the more commonly encountered rockfish in the area.
Rockfish eat a diversity of prey including pelagic shrimp and crab, anchovies, sardines, and other small rockfishes and squid.
Many rockfish can live hundreds of years.
Rougheye rockfish are the longest known living fish on earth and can live over 200 years!
Bocaccio is one of the larger local rockfish, growing up to 3 feet, and lives to at least 45 years old. Its life cycle makes it particularly vulnerable to overfishing, since they don’t reach sexual maturity until 8-10 years old. As they age, they may only produce young once a decade.
For these reasons, MPAs take time for protection benefits to accrue.

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LOCAL FISH SPECIES

NORTHERN ANCHOVY

SHEEPSHEAD

SWORDFISH

BLACK COD

CDFW

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

WHITE SEABASS

LINGCOD

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LOCAL INVERTEBRATES

@Rosa Laucci

@Thomas Shahan

@JMaughn

@ClaireFackler

OPALESCENT NUDIBRANCH

CALIFORNIA SPINY CHITON

STRIPED SHORE CRAB

BAT STAR AND PURPLE URCHINS

AGGREGATING SEA ANEMONE

BLACK TURBAN SNAILS

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FISHING INFORMATION

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POPULAR FISHING SPOTS

Piers

Avalon: Cabrillo Mole and Green Pleasure

Frontside of Island

Frog Rock
Seal Rocks

Backside of Island

West End Humps
Silver Canyon
Whale Rock
Orange Cliffs

Two Harbors: Isthmus

Red Bluffs
Black Point

Little Harbor
Sentinnel Rock
East End
West Cove

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PIER FISHING

Green Pleasure pier - Avalon
Cabrillo Mole pier - Avalon

Popular Catches

senorita
kelp bass
blacksmith
California sheephead

IMPORTANT: Fishing License required EXCEPT on a public pier. The only exception is on yearly “Free Fishing Days”

*It is illegal to take garibaldi*

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CHARTER FISHING

Afishinados Charters
Corsario Ocean Adventures
Catalina Coastal Tours and Fishing
22^nd Street Landing Sportfishing
Gail Force Sportfishing
All Water Fishing Charter
Newport Landing
Davey’s Locker
Dana Point Sportfishing

1,2,3

6

4,5

7,8

9

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COMMERCIAL FISHING

Squid
Sea Urchin
Yellowtail
Barracuda
Finfish (sardine, anchovies)
Prawn
Lobster

In 2013, commercial fishermen landed more than 111 million pounds (50,350 metric tons) of seafood in region with an ex-vessel value (amount paid to fishermen) of nearly $50.5 million

Source: https://caseagrant.ucsd.edu/project/discover-california-commercial-fisheries/regions/santa-barbara-channel

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COMMERCIAL LOBSTER FISHERY

Commercial lobster fishery runs from early October to mid March – requires permit
Most lobsters sold to Asian markets
Statewide commercial harvest ~ 600,000lbs/year
Spiny lobsters found to be larger and more abundant within Arrow Point to Lion Head Point MPA than outside

California spiny lobsters hide in rocky crevices and are highly sought after by commercial anglers.

The commercial lobster fishery runs from early October to mid March and requires a permit. You also need to purchase a report card if you plan on fishing for CA spiny lobster. These report cards must be returned before attempting to buy a new fishing license the following year.
Most lobsters are sold to French and Asian markets and the statewide commercial harvest is approximately 600,000 pounds per year!
The current take limit is 7 lobsters per person, which must be at least 3 and a quarter inches along the mid-line of the back. Be sure to check CDFW for current regulations before heading out.
Research within Arrow Point to Lion Head Point MPA showed that spiny lobsters were larger and more abundant within compared with outside the area.

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FUN FACTS ABOUT LOCAL SEAFOOD

Spiny Lobster: lack claws, - 75% of catch shipped to Asia.

Season: October - March

Spot Prawns: hand-picked in traps and sought after by fine dining restaurants. Scarce to find. Season: March – October
Rock Crab: three different species - all cousins of Dungeness - red, yellow, and brown.

Season: year-round

Sea Urchin: best urchins in the world. 25% shipped to Asia. Season: year-round

Here are some fun facts about the local seafood of Catalina.

Spiny Lobsters actually lack claws. They mature at around 5 years and spawning occurs once per year between May-July. 75% of catch is shipped to Asia. Their season is October – March.
The California spot prawn is a species of shrimp that lives in deeper water. It has a vibrant red color with white stripes and spots. They mature late in life and only spawn once a year, making them a rare treasure and a limited fishery. Their sweet and buttery taste make them sought after by fine dining restaurants. Their season is March – October.
Rock Crabs actually have three different species that are all cousins of Dungeness crabs- red, yellow, and brown. They have a year-round season.
Sea urchins of Catalina are considered to best the best around the world. They are usually hand-picked by divers. 25% of harvested sea urchin are shipped to Asia. Their season is year-round.

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BAROTRAUMA

WHAT TO DO

Anglers have options to help return rockfish to a depth where they can decompress themselves.
These descending devices, can be made at home or purchased commercially. There are many different types and models.

For more information, visit: wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Groundfish/Barotrauma

Barotrauma happens when fish are brought from the deep (more pressure) to surface (less pressure). The expansion of gas swells the swim bladder, causing a “pressure shock” that can cause organ damage.

The technique of “venting” or releasing gas within the swim bladder is discouraged.

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BOATING CLEAN AND GREEN

THINGS BOATERS CAN DO�

Prevent oily discharge from the bilge
Spill-proof your oil changes and fueling.
Do not add soap to the bilge.
Minimize boat cleaning and maintenance in the water.
Choose non- toxic bottom paints.
Dispose of hazardous waste properly.
Plan ahead! Manage sewage wastes properly.
Stow it, do not throw it!
Reduce grey water discharges.
Do not spread aquatic invasive species.
Clean, drain, and dry your boat.�

For more information, visit: BoatingCleanandGreen.com

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REPORT SARGASSUM HORNERI

Non-native brown seaweed from China, Korea, and Japan.
Arrived in southern CA in ports of LA early 2000s.
Recently recorded at Monterey Breakwater in June 2020.
Highly invasive – adults fragment easily and each can produce hundreds of fertile eggs in one receptacle (shown in yellow).
Help prevent spread, check vessel props & anchors before transiting!
If spotted, record the date and location and report to CDFW’s Invasive Species Program:

Call (866) 440-9530
Send an email to invasives@wildlife.ca.gov
Fill out the form at: wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Report

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CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE WEST COAST

Warming Ocean Temperatures:

Much of the northeast Pacific Ocean was warmer than normal from April 19 to July 18, 2020.
Effects most dramatic offshore between Hawaii and Alaska.

Atmospheric Pressure Changes:

High pressure over Gulf of Alaska, Low pressure in NE Pacific in summer of 2019: causes reduced winds

Why is this a concern?

Winds remove heat, mix the surface waters with cooler waters below

Consequence: rapid warming of surface waters in NE Pacific

Marine Heatwaves:

New marine heatwave off the West Coast in Sept, 2019
Researchers monitoring effects on the marine ecosystem, resembles “The Blob” heatwave of 2014.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/new-marine-heatwave-emerges-west-coast-resembles-blob

Climate has been changing on the west coast- how does this impact our ocean?

Some of the major features that have impacted our coast in recent years include:

Warming ocean temperatures. We have had warmer temperatures from Hawaii to Alaska for the past decade including 2020.
Second, for a few years prior to 2020, a large body of warm surface water, called the “BLOB” placed itself off the west coast south of Alaska, and off the coast of Oregon and Washington. This blob acted like a heatwave in the ocean with major impacts to species distributions, as well as catches of fish and crab.
Finally a high pressure over the Gulf of Alaska created reduced winds in the summer of 2019. The lack of wind is of concern since the winds push the warm surface waters offshore, so that cooler waters upwell, or rise to the surface. This upwelling is responsible for the incredibly productive coastal waters of the West Coast.

These recent changes are of concern to commercial fishermen and anglers as well as coastal communities and are being monitoring carefully.

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STRANGE FISH IN WEIRD PLACES

Recently an influx of warmer water off California has brought unprecedented sightings of marine organisms found outside their typical habitats and range. Larger predatory fish and bigger schools of fish are staying around later in the year. Non-native species not previously recorded in Monterey are now being spotted here. These new species have the potential to displace native species.

To understand the effect that changing oceanic conditions will have on fish and benthic invertebrate communities, the California Undersea Imagery Archive is initiating a crowd-sourcing effort called Strange Fish in Weird Places.
Relying on you and others on the water, they will document your observations of organisms in new and unusual places.
They are requesting any or all of the information below, with an emphasis on the location, depth and date that any imagery was collected:

Desired attribution for use of photo on website and outreach materials
Time and date
Species ID (lowest taxonomic level possible)
Depth (if collected via SCUBA or breath-hold diving)
Location (lat/long if possible, general location if not)

For questions or to report, please contact them at cuia@csumb.edu. They very much appreciate your contributions.

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HELP END MARINE ANIMAL ENTANGLEMENTS

Report lost or abandoned fishing gear at 1-888-491-GEAR or www.seadocsociety.org

They accept ANONYMOUS reports!

Properly Dispose of Fishing Gear

For monofilament and fluorocarbon line:

Recycle lines in designated bins found at most boat ramps, piers, and tackle shops

For non-monofilament line, such as braid or wire

Cut the line into 12-inch or smaller pieces and place into a covered trash can

For hooks and lures

Clip off sharp points to avoid injuring humans and wildlife and dispose of it in covered trash can

Abandoned fishing gear can remain in the ocean for up to 400 years and entangle and kill marine animals.

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If you see a sick or injured marine mammal, please do not approach!

Call Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Rescue: 805-567-1506

There are a few ways we can make sure our eagerness to view marine wildlife doesn’t disturb them. Please:

Learn before you go. Check out the rules and regulations for the area you are visiting.
Keep your distance – if you see them change behavior or notice you, you are too close
Do not touch for any reason
Do not feed or attract them to you. Interactions with wildlife can change their normal behavior and feeding habits which can result in harm or death to the animal, despite our best intentions
Do not approach sick or abandoned wildlife. If you find a sick or wounded animal, do not approach it, instead call Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Rescue as soon as possible
Leave pets at home
Do not harass or chase wildlife
Pack your trash, and
Teach others around you to be responsible viewers. Our marine life thanks you!

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WHERE TO FIND REGULATIONS

How do you find information on fishing rules and regulations on the go? A few ways are available.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has a mobile website and an interactive map, listed above, that show MPA boundaries, regulations, and habitat information. While this website only works with internet access, you can check the rules before you head out to make sure you have the information you need for where you’re heading.
FishLegal is a mobile application that does not require internet or phone service. It has information on fish identification, fishing, and MPA boundaries. Get it here at http://fishlegal.info/ or in your cellphones App store.
You can also download maps from Navionics to your Garmin products in advance, to use on the water, but you must have preloaded them while you have access to the internet.
Please note that the FishLegal and Navionics applications are not sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, so you should always cross-check the information with CDFW to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

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GET INVOLVED

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COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN OF SANTA BARBARA

Support new scientific research
Participate in moving fisheries management and policy forward
Establish resource monitoring protocols
Implement effective stock assessment data collection
Add value to the products and industry of our commercial
Innovate fishing practices to enhance sustainability

www.cfsb.info

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TUNA CLUB OF AVALON

Club founded in 1898
Early members include Bing Crosby, Charlie Chaplin, Herbert Hoover
Once all male, now women are welcome

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CCRFP

California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program (CCFRP) - partnership of people and communities interested in fisheries sustainability.

With help of volunteer anglers and fishing community, we collect data on economically important nearshore species to inform fisheries management and evaluate marine protected areas (MPAs).

If you want to contribute to research and learn more about nearshore fish stocks, become a volunteer angler!

For more information, visit: www.mlml.calstate.edu/ccfrp/

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USEFUL MOBILE APPLICATIONS

Seafood Watch

Monterey Bay Aquarium

CA Boating Facility Locator

CA State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways

Pumpout Nav

CA State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways

.

Boat US

Boat, weather, tides

CalTIP

CA Department of Fish and Wildlife

FishLegal

Maps & Species info

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1-888-334-CALTIP (1-888-334-2258), DOWNLOAD THE APP CALTIPS

Help stop poaching and polluting:

1-888-491-GEAR (4237)

Report lost fishing gear:

www. Boatingcleanandgreen.com

Learn about clean boating and how to recycle fishing line:

(800) 39 WHALE

Report Dead Marine Mammals:

Seabird Protection Network (visit www. SeabirdProtectionNetwork.org)

Report Sick or Dead Seabirds:

www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/report

Reporting Invasive Species in California:

(310) 510-1675

24 Hour Vessel Assistance (Fees Involved):

1-877-SOS-WHALE (1-877-767-9425) for distressed whales and dolphins

Statewide Whale Rescue Team:

Report Injured Marine Mammals:

IMPORTANT REPORTING & RESPONSE NUMBERS

Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Rescue 805-567-1506

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THANK YOU