Written by the Lost Anchovy 1/2/2019
Introduction
It’s that time of the year again when the large migration of pacific herring enter into the San Francisco bay to do their “business”. I have my reasons for calling them sex herring folks.
As many of you know, my spirit fish is the California Halibut. There is no other fish that gets me going like my flattie friend; however, what you might not know is my affinity for the shiny and often under appreciated pacific herring.
This fish has the potential to become so much more. The potential for growth, like a young intern, is why it has a special place in this Chovy’s heart. I use herring to catch Halibut, Salmon, Lingcod, and Sturgeon. Herring can also be used as crab bait – The potential can often seem limitless.
Because of its pure potential to become so many things herring can become exploited. As responsible herring hunters, it is my opinion, that we can take proactive measures to ensure a long-term healthy fishery as good stewards of the ocean and it’s resources.
However, before we dive into what we can do, let’s look into what’s driving policy changes.
Article
Did you know the Pacific Herring has been on the decline?
Read the article here: https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/whats-behind-the-decline-of-the-west-coasts-herring/Content?oid=28151512
“William Sydeman, a senior scientist with the Farallones Institute, based in Petaluma, has studied long-term trends in Pacific herring abundance. He notes that San Francisco Bay’s herring population has waxed and waned for decades, with estimates jumping up and down from year to year, as seen in bar graphs produced by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
But in late 2014, the population abruptly nosedived as the fish’s total abundance, or “biomass” in ecologists’ jargon, plunged from an estimated 60,600 tons in the winter of 2013-14 to less than 17,000 tons the next year. The population has remained below 19,000 tons since, with last year’s number dipping to 8,500 tons — the second-lowest return on record after 2008-09’s biomass of 4,800 tons.”
If the empirical data is correct; there should be great concern for herring hunters. There can be a myriad of reason for the collapse of the herring run, however, the author goes on to speculate it is because of global warming. I’m not sure, I’m not a scientist, but based on empirical data there is a decline.
New Recreational Herring Regulations Coming in 2020
On October 19, 2019 the California Fish and Game commission took action on setting an upper limit on the capture of the keep of the pacific herring as part of their comprehensive herring fishery management plan. Historically, there has never been an upper limit on this fishery.
Reference:California Fish and Game Commission Adopts the California Pacific Herring Fishery Management Plan
My initials response on the NorcalKayakAnglers website:
“Here is the exact language in the memorandum:
Recreational Regulations – Prior to this FMP, there was no limit for the
recreational take of Herring. To address this, the FMP recommends a range
between 0 and 100 pounds, which is equivalent to up to 10 gallons (or two 5-gallon buckets), as a daily bag limit. This established bag limit is easily
enforceable and provides for a satisfying recreational experience while
deterring illegal commercialization of the fishery.
If they have evidence of this happening then they need to present it, and enforce the law regarding selling fish with a recreational license. The logic for the recommendation for the limitation is not sound. If the issue is deterring illegal commercialization of the fishery they need to enforce those laws, not limit the quantity.
If the cause is a decline in population based on collected DATA and scientific facts. The recommendation may have merit but should be proportional to the measured biomass of the population.”
On October 10, 2019, the California Fish and Game Commission, adopted the plan, so at this point it is water under the bridge, regardless of their reasoning and logic.
Reference:
Starting March 2020, there will be an upper limit of 2 five-gallon buckets per day. The reasoning is based on recreational fisherman selling herring on the black market and to supermarkets. Limiting recreational take to (2) five gallon buckets per day, in staff’s reasoning, will make it easy to regulate the fishery.
For the record
I support the adopted upper limitation based on the empirical data that there is a decline in the herring population, I prefer 4 buckets to 2. I do NOT support staff’s logic to place an upper limit on the daily recreational catch to deter the illegal commercialization of the fishery. If staff has proof that illegal selling is happening, they should present it, and enforce the laws on the books.
“If the issue is deterring illegal commercialization of the fishery they need to enforce those laws.”
Conclusion
Whatever your take on the recreational and commercial herring fishery is, I hope you agree with me that the decline in the herring population is a concern we all share.
For me, I will do my part to educate the populous on the new regulations. I will be releasing large female, egg laden, herring so they have a chance to spawn, like I do with female crabs.
The health of the fishery is in our hands, commercial and recreational fisherman alike . Youtube video’s of people dragging trash cans and coolers full of herring should not be used to make knee jerk reaction policy, if this is the case. If the declining numbers are true, it is my hope that state regulators understand that we care for the fishery as much as they do.
4:30pm Eggs are confirmed at elephant rock. Birds are a swarming. Looks like this neaptime could be the big one.
Hundreds of birds at rockwall didnt see any signs of herring. But could be a sign.
Thanks for that, Mr. Chovy. Timely information as always.
Great stuff, Hell I’ve got nowhere to store even a 5 gl bucket!!! LoL. 2 is a LOT of herring in my not so humble opinion… cya OTW BRO…