DFG Releases Mobile Website with MPA Maps

DFG Releases Mobile Website with MPA Maps

posted: 10/27/2011

By: Taylor Hill

 SACRAMENTO — Anglers heading out on offshore fishing trips will be able to locate all the planned Marine Protected Areas off Southern California with a glance at their smartphones — as long as they have cell service. The California Department of Fish and Game’s new mobile website recently added maps of the north, central and south coast Marine Protected Areas, so anglers can see where the no-fishing zones are — wherever they may be.

“We think this site is a thing of genius,” said DFG Director Charlton H. Bonham. “This site will help immensely in our outreach efforts regarding the MPAs.”

With the regulations already in place in the north coast and central coast areas, the south coast region regulations are expected to be implemented Jan. 1, 2012.

Though some offshore areas may have spotty cellphone coverage, the website is expected to be useful to anglers, boaters and others who plan to use or pass through MPA waters. Users can access the information from personal computers, as well as smartphones, tablets and other portable devices. The site’s color-coded map shows distinctions between different levels of protection in each MPA — and it allows users to select areas by map, county, region or by alphabetical order.

“This site is testament to the caliber and commitment of DFG employees,” Bonham said.

To view the site, visit dfg.ca.gov/mobile.
Marine Protected Areas to go into effect Jan. 1, 2012:

San Diego County:

Agua Hedionda Lagoon State Marine Reserve 
Batiquitos Lagoon State Marine Park
Buena Vista Lagoon State Marine Park
Cardiff-San Elijo State Marine Conservation Area 
Encinitas State Marine Conservation Area
La Jolla State Marine Conservation Area
Mia J. Tegner State Marine Conservation Area
San Diego-Scripps State Marine Conservation Area
San Dieguito Lagoon State Marine Park
San Elijo Lagoon State Marine Park

Orange County:

Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area
Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area
Doheny Beach State Marine Conservation Area
Doheny State Marine Conservation Area
Heisler Park State Marine Reserve
Irvine Coast State Marine Conservation   Area
Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area
Niguel State Marine Conservation Area
Robert E. Badham State Marine Conservation Area
South Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area
Upper Newport Bay State Marine Park

Los Angeles County:

Abalone Cove State Marine Park
Arrow Point to Lion Head Point Invertebrate Area, Catalina Island Special Closure
Catalina Marine Science Center State Marine Reserve
Farnsworth Bank State Marine Conservation Area
Lover’s Cove State Marine Conservation Area
Point Fermin State Marine Park

Ventura County:

Anacapa Island Special Closure
Anacapa Island State Marine Conservation Area
Anacapa Island State Marine Reserve
Big Sycamore Canyon State Marine Reserve
Footprint State Marine Reserve, Anacapa Channel

Santa Barbara County:

Carrington Point State Marine Reserve,  Santa Rosa Island
Goleta Slough State Marine Park
Gull Island State Marine Reserve, Santa  Cruz Island
Harris Point State Marine Reserve, San Miguel Island
Judith Rock State Marine Reserve, San Miguel Island
Painted Cave State Marine Conservation Area, Santa Cruz Island
Refugio State Marine Conservation Area
Richardson Rock State Marine Reserve, San Miguel Island
San Miguel Island Special Closure
Santa Barbara Island State Marine Reserve 
Scorpion State Marine Reserve, Santa Cruz Island
Skunk Point State Marine Reserve, Santa Rosa Island
South Point State Marine Reserve, Santa Rosa Island
Vandenberg State Marine Reserve

Free Fishing Day Sat Sept 3, 2011

This information is provided by the California Department of Fish and Game.
http://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/free-fishing-day-to-fall-on-the-saturday-of-labor-day-weekend/

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) invites Californians to kick off their Labor Day weekend celebration by fishing in our state’s spectacular waters. Saturday, Sept. 3 is the second of California’s two 2011 Free Fishing Days, when people can try their hand at fishing without having to buy a sport fishing license.
All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect. Every angler must have an appropriate report card if they are fishing for abalone, steelhead, sturgeon or spiny lobster anywhere in the state, or salmon specifically in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity River systems.
DFG offers two Free Fishing Days each year – usually in conjunction with the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend - when it’s legal to fish without a sport fishing license. This year, the Free Fishing Days were set for the Saturdays preceding Independence Day and Labor Day (July 2 and Sept. 3) because they fall on holiday weekends, when a fishing excursion is likely to be most convenient for the public.
Free Fishing Days provide a low-cost way to give fishing a try. Some DFG regions offer Fishing in the City programs where you can go fishing in major metropolitan areas. Fishing in the City and Free Fishing Day clinics are designed to educate novice anglers about fishing ethics, fish habits, effective methods for catching fish and fishing tackle. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night.
Anglers should check the rules and regulations at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/ for the waters they plan to fish. Wardens will be on duty to enforce them. For more information on Free Fishing Days, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/freefishdays.html.

Mexico checking anglers’ passports

San Diego-based sportfishing boats, which have been having a tough time because of poor fishing offshore, lately have been encountering problems with the Mexican government over passports.
Last week, three sport boats — the Horizon, a dive boat out of H&M Landing, and the Royal Polaris and the Searcher out of Fisherman’s Landing — were boarded and detained by the Mexican navy off Cedros Island. Passengers were checked for passports. One of the boats, the Royal Polaris, was told to leave Cedros by the captain of a Mexican navy boat because one of the anglers did not have a U.S. passport.
Long-range boats are scrambling to make sure all of their anglers have current passports, but there also is confusion for shorter fishing trips into Mexican waters.
Carlos Luken of the San Diego-based CONAPESCA, Mexico’s national aquaculture and fishing commission, said Americans must have a yearly Mexican fishing license ($44.80) to fish in Mexico from a boat. A Mexican sportfishing license is not required for shore fishing. Luken wasn’t aware of the passport requirement and recommended anglers call the Mexican consulate general to get that information. Calls to the consulate general’s office in San Diego were not returned.
John Yamate, part owner and office manager of Seaforth Sportfishing, said his landing is telling all anglers who plan to fish in Mexico to bring a passport. But at this point, he said they’re not required for three-quarter-day or one-day trips into Mexican waters.
“I’m telling them if they have a passport to bring it,” Yamate said. “But we are not aware of any change in the regulations or policy at this point.”
Michelle Gandola, a spokeswoman for the Sportfishing Association of California, said association officials are working on the issue with Mexican officials at CONAPESCA, the fisheries representatives, and the Mexican consulate general.
“We’re trying to get some kind of official statement from the Mexican government,” Gandola said. “But as far as we know, no new Mexican regulation or policy has come out about passport requirements on sport boats. All we know is that a few of our boats were boarded, and passengers were asked to produce passports.”
Gandola said right now there “are no specific answers and nothing in writing to show anything was changed” regarding passports for U.S. anglers.
“We’ve been operating in Mexico for over 50 years and have had great relations with Mexico,” Gandola said of the sportfishing fleet’s relationship with Mexico. “Our hope is that we can work this out and that it’s just a slight hitch that can be taken care of so we can get back to operating without any additional requirements.”
Local sources said the issue began a few weeks ago when three-quarter-day boats were stopped by a Mexican navy boat around the Coronado Islands. The boat captains were asked if all the anglers had passports and if the captain had a boat permit to be in Mexico. The captains told the Mexican navy captain that passports weren’t required and that boat permits also had been done away with a few years ago. The CONAPESCA website indicates the requirement for boat permits for U.S. sport boats ended in January 2008. There also is nothing stated about anglers needing passports to fish in Mexico from a San Diego-based sportfishing boat.
ed.zieralski@uniontrib.com (619) 293-1225

Charter tipping etiquette: To tip or not to tip?

Charter tipping etiquette: To tip or not to tip?

A debate that comes up sometimes between some friends on tipping a charter; I'd appreciate your feedback:
1. How much to tip? What is an average tip? 10% min standard being 15 to 20%
2. Who to tip? - If there is more than 1 mate do you give them each an equal tip or give it to the captain to divide as he sees fit? I would always tip the Capt to split up, or tell him "this is for the crew"
3. Do you tip a captain when there is no mate (small boat)?YES
4. Do you tip even if you catch nothing, especially if you feel that the captain or crew didn't try their best? This is touchy.. To one person not doing the best can be one thing.. I would say, if you did not get the service you had in the past or was expecting, then tip what you think will get them to understand.
5. Should you tip for the charter and again for cleaning fish? Depends of if the boat or a cleaning service does the job, if  it is not part of the boat, then yes.
6. Is there a typical per fish cleaning tip? No it should be based on total cost
7. Do you tip if the boat insists on keeping whatever fish you don't want (rather than allow release?) This is a regional matter and you should understand this before going on the trip. 
8. Is tipping with fish acceptable (instead of cash), or is cash expected too? This too is a regional matter, depending on the laws on whether the fish can be sold. 
9. Should you tip in countries where tipping in general is not the custom? Check before going out and ask what is standard for that area, in some cases it is included in the trip cost. 

Always ask around as to what is standard if your not sure and always check with what is allowed. US West coast fishing (Ca.), sport-fish cannot be sold.  

Inox Lubricant - Fishing and Boating

iNox MX3 Lubrication, Review
January 13th, 2011

by Captain Chuck Simpson

Making a living in the outdoor industry demands that my equipment function properly and for this to happen, it must be properly maintained – I cannot afford malfunctions. The different pieces of equipment I use for work and play have moving parts, which means they need to be routinely lubricated. A good quality lubrication product will not only aid in keeping moving parts working smoothly, but will also serve as protection against many of the harsh elements found in outdoor environments: salt, sand, dirt, moisture, etc. Let’s face it; reliable gear is expensive, so why not use a product that will prolong the life of your equipment, one that will drastically reduce wear, the possibility of down time, and expensive repairs?

After receiving a sample over a year ago, I have been using the Inox MX3 aerosol lubricant extensively and I am convinced it is one of the best lubricants and protection on the market – especially for fishermen and outdoors men. Not only is MX3 a lubricant and protection, but it also displaces water and is a penetrate. I can spray my reels lightly after washing them down from a day’s fishing trip and rest on the confidence they will be protected from the elements and function properly the next time I pick them up. I have even started coating the inside of the plastic tackle boxes where I store my expensive plugs, spoons, and hooks to combat rust and oxidation. It doesn’t affect the finish on my lures, nor does it have a negative effect on a fish’s olfactory senses.

The unique formula used in the Inox MX3 lubricant contains no silicon, acid or acid-forming ingredients and is not petroleum-based. It will not harm metal points, surfaces, plastics, paints, enamels or finishes, fiberglass, neoprene seals, or degrade the quality of braid and mono-filament fishing lines. MX3 is non conductive and non-static so it can be used on electrical connections and will not attract foreign particles. It will not dry out, become gooey, gum up or wash off. In addition, Inox MX3 aerosol is ozone-safe, contains no CFCs, and is environmentally friendly, though its makers recommend against its use on natural rubber products. MX3 also is available in non-aerosol applicators.

As of now, fishing tackle isn’t the only thing I’m using the Inox lube on: my guns, bow, mountain bike, door hinges, locks, skiff (no worry of stain) and just about anything else you can imagine – I am totally impressed. With Inox I don’t have to apply nearly as much as with other brands, it does a far superior job, and a little goes a very long way. What more could I ask for?

For more information regarding the extensive Inox supreme lubrication product line and to find a dealer near you, I highly recommend visiting WWW.inoxlubewest.com

NOAA Graphic of Tsunami Wave across the Pacific.

An energy map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows the intensity of the tsunami in the Pacific Ocean caused by the magnitude 8.9 earthquake which struck Japan on March 11, 2011.http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20110312/i/r3138901053.jpg?x=400&y=266&q=85&sig=FaNnjot4eh3SmwALolpqkw--