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MONTEREY BOATING AND FISHING

A brief overview of opportunities on the water

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OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATION

Introduction to Monterey County
Science of marine conservation
Deep dive into local marine protected areas
Species you may encounter
Guide to fishing around Monterey Bay
Local engagement with your coast

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WELCOME TO MONTEREY COUNTY

YOU ARE

HERE

Monterey served as original capital of California in 1849.

Home to 17 MPAs:

9 SMCAs (state marine conservation areas) = blue
8 SMRs(state marine reserves)= red
And the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (NMS)

Home to famous Cannery Row and the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay

NMS

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NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL HISTORY: OHLONE

Costanoan means “coast people”.

Today, ‘Ohlone’ is more commonly used by tribal members.

Territory ranged from San Francisco to Point Sur and inland.
Gathered mussels, clams, and oysters from mudflats around Elkhorn Slough.
Relied on abundant marine resources in Monterey including abalone, urchins, limpets, fish and seaweeds.
Hunted sea otters, fur seals, sea lions.

Now we will discuss tribal history in Monterey County:

Tribes are the first stewards of the land with inherent rights and responsibilities to ensure that the natural and cultural resources are sustained for future generations. Traditional tribal stewardship is based in maintaining natural balance, with the belief that if we take care of the ocean, it will take care of us.
The Ohlone, also called the Coastanoan people, lived from San Francisco to Point Sur for more than 8,00 years.
Mussels, clams, and oysters were foraged from the wetlands and mudflats around Elkhorn Slough.
The coastline is dotted with rocky intertidal habitat that supported an abundance of marine species.
Abalone, urchins, limpets and sea weeds were commonly harvested. As hunter-gatherers of the sea, the Ohlone hunted an abundance of sea otters, northern fur seals, and sea lions.

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NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL HISTORY: ESSELEN & SALINAN

Esselen

Territory from Pt. Sur to Pt. Lopez.
Hunter-gatherers relied largely on acorns, game such as rabbit and deer, & fish from ocean & inland rivers.

Salinan

Territory including southern Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties.
Hunted otters and seals and harvested fish, clams, and abalone.

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NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL HISTORY: �AMAH MUTSUN TRIBAL BAND

Area tribes whose ancestors came from ~20- 30 villages in Pajaro River Basin and surrounding region.
Over 600 registered members; each can trace their descent to a Mission San Juan Bautista Indian or a Mission Santa Cruz Indian.
Revitalizing their role as coastal stewards! Founding member of the Tribal Marine Stewards Network, and host annual Coastal Stewardship Summer Camp for youth.
To learn more, visit www.amahmutsunlandtrust.org

The Amah Mutsun are an area tribe of originally 20-30 contiguous villages stretching across the Pajaro River Basin.

The villages were united by shared cultural practices and tribal traditions.
They utilized and tended both inland and marine resources. Important coastal sites included Kallentaruk, meaning 'house by the sea', near present-day Moss Landing, and Tiuvta, meaning 'the place of the elk' near present-day Watsonville.
Mutual religious practices, methods of fishing and hunting, ceremonial dress, craftmanship and shelter set them apart from the Salinan and Esselen peoples.
Today they are an active community of nearly 600 members, each of whom can trace their individual descent directly to a Mission Santa Cruz Indian or Mission San Juan Batista Indian. They are the founding members of the Tribal Marine Stewards Network and host an annual Coastal Stewardship Summer Camp for youth. The photo shows a tribal youth participating in the annual Coastal Stewardship Camp.

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MONTEREY’S CULTURAL HISTORY

1770

First Spanish Mission Built

1851

Chinese fishermen arrive

1890’s

Japanese fishermen arrive

1900’s

Italian fishermen arrive

Mid 1850’s

Portuguese whalers arrive

Monterey County has a lot of history, especially when it comes to ocean use!

During the 18^th century, many native peoples were displaced with the building of the Spanish Missions and increasing number of new settlers to the area.
During the 1850s, Chinese and then Portuguese fishermen arrived in search of salmon and then sardines. A small group of families from Southern China set out to the Carmel River and only a few boats made it. They first set up camp at Point Lobos and then in Pacific Grove. They worked hard, but their presence was met with suspicion and conflict. In 1906 their village was burned to the ground. This camp is thought to be the first Chinese settlement of immigrants in the United States.
Portuguese whalers arrived from the Azores at a similar time and were employed by John Davenport, who set up the first shore whaling company by hiring twelve Portuguese fishermen to hunt humpback and grey whales.
In the 1890’s Japanese fishermen brought new, safer techniques to harvest abalone.
Later on, in the 1900’s, Italian fishermen brought efficient sardine fishing techniques, solidifying Monterey’s notoriety as “Cannery Row”.

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CANNERY ROW HISTORY

Cannery Row started as wagon ruts from Monterey to Point Lobos.

1902 start of Monterey canning industry with expansion in WWI & WWII. Bustling port for several decades.

Purse seiners arrived in 1928, greatly increasing take of sardines.

Sardine fishery crashed in 1950’s. When asked where they went, Ed Ricketts responded: “ In cans”.

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COASTAL RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

@Rene Rivers

WILDLIFE WATCHING

FISHING

HIKING

KAYAKING

TIDEPOOLING

DIVING

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HARBORS, MARINAS & BOAT�LAUNCHES

1, 2, 3

1. Moss Landing Harbor

4. Monterey Bay Boat Works

5. Monterey Breakwater

6. Monterey Harbor & Marina

7. Monterey Peninsula Yacht

Club

2. Woodward Marine

3. Moss Landing Boat Works

4,5,6,7

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SCIENCE OF MARINE CONSERVATION

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WHAT IS A MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA)?

©Jim Johnston

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.) Elkhorn Slough SMCA & SMR serves as vital habitat for species like halibut, leopard sharks, and top smelt.

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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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MONTEREY STATE MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

STATE MARINE RESERVES (SMR)

STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS (SMCA)

1. Elkhorn Slough SMCA

2. Elkhorn Slough SMR

3. Moro Cojo Slough SMR

4. Soquel Canyon SMCA

5. Portuguese Ledge SMCA

6. Edward F Ricketts SMCA

7. Lovers Point – Julia Platt SMR

8. Pacific Grove Marine Gardens SMCA

9. Asilomar SMR

10. Carmel Pinnacles SMR

11. Carmel Bay SMCA

12. Point Lobos SMCA

13. Point Lobos SMR

14. Point Sur SMCA

15. Point Sur SMR

16. Big Creek SMCA

17. Big Creek SMR

1

2

3

4

6

12

13

7

8

9

10

11

5

14

15

17

16

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

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SMR	Restrictions
Elkhorn Slough, Moro Cojo Slough, Lovers Point-Julia Platt, Asilomar, Carmel Pinnacles, Point Lobos, Point Sur & Big Creek SMRs	Take of all living marine resources, including shells and rocks, is prohibited.
SMCA	Allowable Take
Elkhorn Slough SMCA	Recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line only, and clams from the slough’s north shore near the Moss Landing State Wildlife Area, is allowed.
Soquel Canyon & Portuguese Ledge SMCAs	Recreational and commercial take of pelagic finfish is allowed. See current fishing regulations for definition of “pelagic finfish.”
Edward F Ricketts SMCA	Recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line only is allowed. Commercial take of giant kelp and bull kelp by hand is allowed.
Pacific Grove Marine Gardens, Carmel Bay SMCAs	Recreational take of finfish is allowed. Commercial take of giant kelp and bull kelp by hand is allowed.
Point Lobos, Big Creek SMCAs	Recreational and commercial take of salmon and albacore is allowed. Commercial take of spot prawn is allowed.
Point Sur SMCA	Recreational and commercial take of salmon and albacore is allowed.

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ELKHORN SLOUGH SMCA, ELKHORN SLOUGH SMR �& MORO COJO SLOUGH SMR

Elkhorn Slough & Moro Cojo Slough SMRs do not allow any take.

Fishing at Kirby Park is not allowed.

Elkhorn Slough SMCA allows recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line from shore only and clams from north shore of slough is allowed.

Estuaries provide vital habitat for bat rays, leopard sharks, and top smelt; invertebrates, including ghost shrimp, oysters and moon snails.
Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing Harbor support thriving economies in tourism, commercial fishing, and coastal research.

There are two MPAs at Elkhorn Slough, a State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) and a no-take State Marine Reserve (SMR), and one no-take State Marine Reserve to the south at Moro Cojo Slough. This area is also a National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Estuaries such as Elkhorn and Moro Cojo provide vital habitat for bat rays, leopard sharks, and top smelt as well as invertebrates, including ghost shrimp, oysters and moon snails.
Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing Harbor support thriving economies in tourism, commercial fishing, and coastal research.
A large part of Elkhorn Slough is a State Marine Reserve, which is closed to all fishing to protect important nursery habitat. Fishing at Kirby Park is not allowed.
Elkhorn Slough State Marine Conservation Area allows the recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line from shore only and clams from the north shore of the slough.
Just to the south is Moro Cojo Slough SMR, a very shallow brackish remnant of a larger slough. It is highly degraded and surrounded by coastal prairie and bounded by Highway 1 to the west.

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PORTUGUESE LEDGE SMCA �& SOQUEL CANYON SMCA

Both SMCAs allow recreational and commercial take of pelagic finfish.
Soquel Canyon SMCA contains excellent fishing for pelagic finfish like tuna, and bonito.
Portuguese Ledge SMCA has greatest depth range of any MPA in CA: nearly 300 to 4,800 feet.
Protects deep-water rockfish species like greenspotted rockfish and chilipepper rockfish.

Due west of Elkhorn Slough lies Soquel Canyon SMCA, which encompasses a side branch of the Monterey Submarine Canyon, one of the deepest submarine canyons on the West Coast of the United States.
These submarine canyons funnel nutrient-rich waters into Monterey Bay, supporting an array of marine wildlife.
Portuguese Ledge and Soquel Canyon SMCAs allow recreation and commercial take of pelagic finfish.

These are unique and biologically productive areas, especially for many groundfish species like rockfish.

Soquel Canyon SMCA contains excellent fishing of pelagic finfishes, like tuna and bonito.
Portuguese Ledge SMCA has the greatest depth range of any in California, from nearly 300 to 4,800 feet.
Both MPAs are designed to protect deep-water habitats of overfished rockfish by not allowing bottom gear, in an effort to support statewide rockfish recovery efforts.

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EDWARD F RICKETTS SMCA & �PACIFIC GROVE MARINE GARDENS SMCA

Located close to shore along the Monterey Peninsula.
Both allow recreational take of finfish by hook-and-line.
Edward F Ricketts SMCA is a popular place to kayak fish.
Pacific Grove Marine Gardens SMCA is known for its extensive tidepools.

NO collection of tidepool critters allowed.
You can fish for species like lingcod, surfperch, cabezon and blue rockfish.

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Lovers Point-Julia Platt SMR

Small at less than .5 sq. miles
Named after Julia Platt, a marine biologist and mayor of Pacific Grove in 1930s. She petitioned California to allow city to protect its own coastline.
Great diving: see rocky reefs, kelp forests, and sandy sea floors and rockfish, harbor seals, California halibut, sand dollars, and rock crabs crawling among the cobbles.
No take is allowed in either SMR.

LOVERS POINT-JULIA PLATT SMR & ASILOMAR SMR

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CARMEL PINNACLES SMR, CARMEL BAY SMCA, �POINT LOBOS SMR & SMCA

Carmel Pinnacles SMR is popular among divers. No take is allowed.
Carmel Bay SMCA is a recreation hotspot for kayaking, sunbathing, diving and allows recreational take of finfish.
Portion of Point Lobos SMR protected since 1963- one of the oldest MPAs in California.
Point Lobos SMCA allows for recreational take of salmon and albacore.
Ample recreational at Point Lobos including: diving, kayaking, birdwatching, tidepooling, painting, and hiking.

Take occurred within Carmel Bay and Point Lobos SMCAs

Carmel Bay is home to 4 MPAs that lie in close proximity to shore and one another.

Carmel Pinnacles SMR protects hard bottom habitat, including kelp beds and pinnacles. This area allows no-take of any kind and is frequented by non-consumptive divers.
Carmel Bay SMCA protects diverse shallow habitat that is popular for kayaking, scuba diving, sunbathing and more. Take of all kids is prohibited, except for the recreational take of finfish.
Point Lobos SMR is home to incredible scenery, above and below water. Part of Pt. Lobos SMR has been in existence since 1963, making it one of the oldest MPAs in California. The SMR abuts Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (managed by CA State Parks), and offers incredible opportunity for sightseeing, photography, painting, SCUBA diving, and hiking. The Marine Reserve does not allow any take.

Point Lobos is a world renowned diving destination featuring a variety of habitats to explore including reefs, kelp beds, pinnacle walls and even caves. This area also supports numerous rockfish of various species as well as lingcod, cabezon, leopard sharks, and the occasional white seabass.

Point Lobos SMCA lies offshore of the SMR and allows for recreational take of salmon and albacore as well as commercial take of salmon, albacore, and spot prawn

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POINT SUR SMCA & SMR

The Point Sur protected areas support many species of fish, including canary and vermillion rockfish and bocaccio.
Point Sur SMCA allows for commercial and recreational take of salmon and albacore.
Point Sur SMR does not allow take of any kind.

Take of albacore and salmon allowed within Point Sur SMCA

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BIG CREEK SMCA & SMR

The Big Creek area is remote and rugged, known for breathtaking views and pristine coastline.
Giant kelp and bull kelp forests create habitat for blue rockfish, black rockfish, copper rockfish, and gopher rockfish, pile perch and rubberlip perch, and lingcod.
Big Creek SMR does not allow any take.
Big Creek SMCA allows for recreational take of salmon and albacore, and commercial take of salmon, albacore, and spot prawn.

Salmon fishing in region tends to vary year-to-year.

Take allowed within Big Creek SMCA

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MARINE SPECIES OF INTEREST

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LOCAL FISH SPECIES

CDFW

LEOPARD SHARK

BARRED SURFPERCH

LINGCOD

CHINOOK SALMON

PILE PERCH

CABEZON

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LOCAL GROUNDFISH SPECIES

CDFW

COPPER ROCKFISH

GREENSPOTTED ROCKFISH

BLUE ROCKFISH

BLACK ROCKFISH

KELP GREENLING

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 in Monterey County.
These are some of the more commonly encountered rockfish of Monterey Bay 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 INVERTEBRATE SPECIES

DUNGENESS CRAB

MOON SNAILS

MARKET SQUID

ROUGH LIMPET

CALIFORNIA MUSSELS

PINK VOLCANO BARNACLE

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LOCAL MARINE ALGAE SPECIES

TURKISH WASHCLOTH

SEA LETTUCE

SEA PALM

GIANT KELP

SEA GRAPES

BULL KELP

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LOCAL BIRD SPECIES

SNOWY PLOVER

SANDERLING

HEERMANN’S GULL

BLACK OYSTERCATCHER

WILLET

SURF SCOTER

Monterey's shoreline can provide incredible birdwatching opportunities.

In the area, you can find sandy dunes, an important habitat and refuge for the Western snowy plover or “Snowies”. They make nests in the shallow nooks in the sand to protect its eggs and shelter them from predators. They feed on small crustaceans, soft invertebrates, and small insects.
Hermann’s gull is possibly the easiest to identify gull in North America. Their plumage is most brilliant during the courtship season, with the gulls displaying their pearly white head feathers, brilliant red bills, and stormy gray bodies. The juveniles have a distinct dark brown coloring, with little mottling. These gulls breed in Mexico's Gulf of California, then move north to the coast for late summer and fall. They feast on anchovies and sardines, and aggressively pursue other seabirds to steal their catches.
Commonly spotted black oystercatchers and surf scoters are named after their foraging techniques and favorite prey items.
Like most bird species, the male surf scoter or “drake” sports more attractive plumage than their female counterparts.

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FISHING INFORMATION

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CALIFORNIA FISHING LICENSES

Purchase fishing licenses online here: wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales
Fishing license required for everyone 16 years or older EXCEPT when fishing from public piers, publicly owned jetties or breakwaters that form most seaward protective boundary of an ocean harbor are also public piers.
Sturgeon and California spiny lobster report cards are still required even if fishing from a pier.
California typically has 2 free fishing days annually – usually around July 4^th and Labor Day weekends.

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RECREATIONAL FISHING

Fishing is allowed from Monterey Breakwater and the Commercial Wharf, but not Fisherman’s Wharf.
Surf fishing may yield halibut, striped bass, surfperch, or smelt.
Popular targeted species include salmon, rockfish, lingcod, mackerel, sanddabs & squid.

Breakwater

Fisherman’s

Wharf

Commercial

Wharf

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CHARTER FISHING IN MONTEREY

Kahuna Sportfishing (Moss Landing)
J&M Sportfishing (Monterey)
Chris’ Fishing & Whale Watching (Monterey)
Monterey Bay Boat Charter
Monterey Bay Dive Charter Boats
Monterey Sailing & Boat Charters
Westwind Charter Sportfishing & Excursions (Monterey)

Moss Landing

Monterey

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COMMERCIAL FISHING

Top Commercial Species 2019:

Northern anchovy >20 million lbs
Market squid >5 million lbs
Pacific sardine >500K lbs
Chinook salmon >400K lbs
Sablefish >200K lbs�
Efforts to revitalize historic, local seafood industry.

60-90% of seafood we eat in U.S. is imported.

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BOAT FISHING CHANGES WITH SEASONS

IMPORTANT: Check current regulations at: wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean

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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 the Marine Mammal Center: 415-289-SEAL

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 the Marine Mammal Center 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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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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MPA WATCH

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USEFUL MOBILE APPLICATIONS

Seafood Watch

Monterey Bay Aquarium

CA Boating Facility Locator

CA State Parks Division of Boating Waterways

Pumpout Nav

Ecom Enterprises, Inc.

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:

(831) 646-3950 Day / 594-7760 Evening "After hours"

Local Harbor Patrol

1-800-OILS-911

Report Oil Spills

Injured: The Marine Mammal Center: 415-289-SEAL
Dead: Moss Landing Marine Laboratories: 1 (831) 755-8650

Report Dead or Sick Marine Mammals:

SPCA Monterey County (831) 264-5427; info@spcamc.org

Report Sick or Dead Seabirds:

visit www. SeabirdProtectionNetwork.org

Help Protect Seabirds:

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

Reporting Invasive Species in California:

1(800) 367-8222

24 Hour Vessel Assistance (Fees Involved):

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

Statewide Whale Rescue Team

IMPORTANT REPORTING & RESPONSE NUMBERS

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THANK YOU