California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Emergency Regulations Allow CDFW to Extend Angling Restrictions in Coastal Waters Experiencing Prolonged, Low-Flow Conditions from Drought.” Lake County News, 5 Feb. 2022, https://www.lakeconews.com/news/recreation/71657-emergency-regulations-allow-cdfw-to-extend-angling-restrictions-in-coastal-waters-experiencing-prolonged-low-flow-conditions-from-drought.

 In Clear Lake, California, The California Fish and Game Commission decided to adopt regulations to allow the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to further restrict fishing regulations into the season. These restrictions have been put in place as a result of an extended drought relating to low flow river conditions. The slow flow is occurring in the Russian, Eel, and Smith Rivers particularly, but is not limited to just those three as there are several other river rivers with similar conditions. The restriction is currently in place until April 30, however could possibly be extended. Salmon and steelhead are the fish that the restrictions have been put in place to protect. Particularly breeds such as the coho salmon or steelhead trout. These restrictions were put in place on January 31.

Although frustrating for many Californian anglers this restriction that was put in place is well worth it in terms of the overall health of the ecosystem, and the possibility for these fishes continued survival in years to come. If these fishermen think in the bigger picture they might realize that if they over fish in a year like 2022 where we have seen limited rainfall and even drought, it would be clear that they could lead to the extinction of the species as a whole, destroying their possibilities of catching these fish in the future. Therefore, although Frustrating for fishermen, the new regulation is proper. It is interesting to me that these regulations are called emergencies, however in the future maybe they will become so frequent that they are no longer emergencies and this is the beginning of a trend we might see in the future. Although unfortunate for fishermen it is clear that this restriction is necessary as many of the fish species that the restriction is letting me to protect are already struggling to continue their previous reproduction rates as they swim up coastal rivers.

NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region. (2021, August 18). Protecting largest, most prolific fish may boost productivity of fisheries: Overlooking capacity of large females may lead to overharvest. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 26, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210818135210.htm 

New research uncovers that larger, more mature fish are able to produce a greater amount of offspring than previously understood. Additionally, the offspring of older fish will see a significantly higher survival rate. The absence of fish with as large of a capacity as these has led to the continuance of the big problem of overharvesting in many fisheries. It has been noted that protection over the fish could lead to a considerable supply of long-term solutions for the climate and food production throughout the world. 

I feel as though this article illuminates the aim for future exploitations of nature, in line with a better supply for people who depend on fish as a food source. However, I do fear that such an idea would not be set in motion as there are many short-term setbacks for the economy and food supply, as a significant percentage of the population consume fish on a daily basis. Nonetheless, it is also worth noting that a healthy amount of fish in the ocean would do wonders for the climate, and may benefit the food chain within aquatic ecosystems by decreasing the amount at which rare species (such as the sawfish) are captured by overfishing. The increase may also contribute to the overall amount of carbon able to be captured by the ocean, and thus, tackle issues of climate change and overharvesting within various fisheries. It is obvious that such an idea could be worthwhile, but is heavily dependent on the fisheries management’s ability to analyze the rewards over the risks.

Wood, S. (2021). California salmon season delayed and shortened, angering North Bay fishermen. The North Bay Business Journal. https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/california-salmon-season-delayed-and-shortened-angering-north-bay-fisherme/

  This article is about fishermen’s reactions to California’s new fishing regulations. The industry employs 23,000 people and is worth over 1.4 billion dollars. But, even with all that power California has decided to push back the fishing season to allow the salmon population to recover. While the salmon are big winners, small businesses will take hits. For example “Attendee Tim Ely, who runs the Outdoor Pro Shop retailer in Cotati, estimates his store will lose $500,000 this year.” So while the decision is ultimately good for California it will hurt individuals. 

  The trade off of business reduction for environmental improvement is at the forefront of this article. While it is necessary for fisheries that the season is shortened many people will be having money taken right out of their pockets. “Association President John McManus predicted a 40% loss in the season for sports fishermen, while Crescent City commercial fisherman George Bradshaw predicted the industry’s take would be down by two thirds.” These are substantial chunks being eliminated from the industry. Crabs and fish alike will be much harder to come by. People will have to pay more for them due to the fact there will be less fished. While there is a debate to be had, the new regulations will substantially improve the number of fish in California. 

Wisckol, M. (2021, January 28). California’s fish population rebounds thanks to strict fishing rules. The Mercury News. https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/01/28/californias-fish-population-rebounds-thanks-to-strict-fishing-rules/

  California has taken measures to help the fish population in California’s most popular fisheries. “ 30 years ago, the largely bottom-dwelling groundfish species were particularly hard hit by overfishing and were declared a federal economic disaster.” California being one of America’s largest fish producing states mightily overfished for many years. But, now the state legislature is shortening the fishing season significantly every year. While fishermen were first against the propositions the majority now agrees it’s good for business. 

  The article discusses the reaction and effects stricter fishing laws have had on the fishing industry in California. There was a strong resistance to these ideas at first, but people are beginning to come onside, “But now that we’re here, guys are excited about the prospect of increased opportunity to harvest sustainable, highly regulated stocks and help reduce California’s reliance on imported fish,” says Mike Conroy who is the executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association. Others like Ken Franke, the president of the Sportfishing Association of California say, “It was difficult at the beginning of the program. But the outcome — I think everybody’s happy with how it’s evolved.” The regulations have lowered the amount of imported fish which greatly reduces the carbon footprint of any given fish. These regulations could not have come at a better time as “in 1974, 10% of the world’s marine fish stocks were overfished and unsustainable. By 2017, that had grown to 34%.” 34% of the world’s fisheries is an extremely telling statistic for why California made the right call by imposing stricter regulations on fisheries.

Shuman, M. (2021, August 16). California fishermen say a new air quality rule could put them out of business. Here’s why. The Sacramento Bee. https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article253524069.html  

San Luis Obispo County proposed new regulations that would hurt fishermen all over California greatly. The goal of the regulations is to reduce emissions caused by boats and other fishing equipment. The law states that engines must be upgraded to “tier 4” which is an engine that emits less carbon dioxide. The majority of boats on the water now do not have the capacity to switch engines. Fishermen are very worried about the loss in profits they will have due to the sanctions.

While the goal of these proposed regulations is a noble one, it hurts fishermen’s pockets directly. The boats that the majority of fishermen use do not have the capacity to carry “tier 4” engines. The new engines would essentially melt the boat. This means that fishermen will have to take time off the water and spend a very large sum of money on new boats. One California fisherman said “But I’m not going to spend $150,000 on mains that are going to be obsolete the following year,” he said. “I’d rather use that money to move out of the state.” Many other fishermen share his sentiment of just moving states. So the new proposed law could cause a loss in California fishermen who are crucial to a large part of the California economy. 

Racine, P. (2021, July 23). California’s Seafood Supply Chain Through COVID-19 – Early insights from surveys on seafood consumers, farmers and fishers. California Fisheries & Seafood Institute. Retrieved August 22, 2021, from https://calseafood.net/2021/07/23/californias-seafood-supply-chain-through-covid-19-early-insights-from-surveys-on-seafood-consumers-farmers-and-fishers/

  This article discusses the effects that COVID-19 had on the California seafood industry. Farmers took a large hit in sales of their fish, due to the fact people did not want to buy local and leave their houses. Everything bought was online so commercial fishing rose in profit but California fishermen sank. Restaurants who are typically fishermen’s biggest clients were also not buying fish because they were shut. 

  COVID-19 has affected everyone including the fishing industry. With there being much less of a demand for fish from restaurants for example, fishermen took a big hit during the pandemic. With the fishing industry less in demand fisheries did have a chance to repopulate. One of few positives of the pandemic for the food industry. Now that fisheries have repopulated, one could be hopeful that the industry will bounce back once the pandemic is dealt with. But while the pandemic was prevalent fishermen had to move fisheries. This created a large impact on the environment with overfishing and the transport of the fishermen.

Fisher, M. C. (2021, January 5). Dungeness crab fishing industry response to climate shock. Retrieved August 22, 2021, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210105160816.htm

Climate shock has had great impacts on fisheries all over California. These shocks cause massive changes in populations of fish in fisheries, but in particular climate shocks have a greater impact on Dungeness crabs. Heat waves and droughts cause dips in population that have a great impact on fishing economies and people that depend on them for income. Fishermen have had to move to other fisheries causing overfishing in other areas.

This article details the great effects that climate change is having on fisheries in California. Climate change does not only affect the number of fish but it has a direct impact on the fishing industry and economy. With California going through continuous heat waves, Dungeness crabs are becoming less and less prevalent. Each year their population decreases. Dungeness crabs are a staple of California fisheries, without them fishermen are hurting. With less crabs in the sea fishermen are losing money and business. Due to lack of crabs fishermen are moving to other fisheries along the coast or to ones in different states. But, with more fishermen in less fisheries we are seeing an increase in overfishing in other areas. So, to aid the fishermen and the fish California must act against climate change as temperatures rise each year. Unless something is done fishermen will continue to leave the Golden state to overfish in greener pastures.