Your Squid Update - Commercial Season to Close 12/17

Commercial Market Squid Fishery to Close December 17

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will close the commercial fishery
for market squid, Loligo (Doryteuthis) opalescens, Friday, Dec. 17 at
noon.

Based on landings information and projections, DFG biologists expect
that by Dec.17, the seasons harvest limit of 118,000 short tons of
market squid will be reached. The squid fishing season runs from April
through the following March of each year, which means the fishery will
now remain closed through March 31, 2011. This is the first time that
the harvest limit has been reached since it was implemented by the Fish
and Game Commission in 2002.

"We have had a banner year for market squid this year," said Dale
Sweetnam, a DFG senior marine biologist who oversees the commercial
market squid fishery. "In California, we have had squid landings from La
Jolla to Half Moon Bay and reports that market squid are abundant off
many of the offshore banks, the Channel Islands, as well as off Baja
California. The colder than normal water conditions we have observed
since February have provided optimal conditions for squid spawning."

The presence of market squid is strongly correlated with environmental
factors, such as water temperature and nutrient availability. In warm
water years and during El Niño conditions, squid become scarce and
landings decline. However, when water temperatures cool, even after
severe warm water events, market squid numbers can rebound quickly and
dramatically.

DFG, with assistance from squid fishermen and seafood processors, has
been tracking catches daily this fall in anticipation of reaching the
harvest limit, which was established to ensure the squid fishery does
not expand beyond levels experienced in the 1990s. "The wetfish industry
and California Wetfish Producers Association are very pleased to partner
with DFG to ensure a sustainable market squid resource and fishery,"
said California Wetfish Producers Association Executive Director Diane
Pleschner-Steele.

Market squid is by far California's largest and most valuable
commercial fishery. In 2009, just over 100,000 tons was landed with an
ex-vessel value of $56.5 million. California market squid is used
domestically for food - often identified as calamari in restaurants -
and is an important international commodity. Last year, California fish
businesses exported market squid to 36 countries with China being the
leading importer of California market squid.

The harvest limit is one of many provisions governing the squid
fishery, which has been managed under the states Market Squid Fishery
Management Plan (MSFMP) since 2005. The goals of the MSFMP are to ensure
long term conservation and sustainability of the market squid resource,
reduce the potential for overfishing and provide a framework for
management. In addition to the harvest limit, weekend closures were
implemented to allow for periods of uninterrupted spawning each week.

The MSFMP was developed under the provisions set forth by California's
Marine Life Management Act (MLMA), which became law in 1999. The MLMA
created state policies, goals and objectives to govern the conservation,
sustainable use and restoration of California's living marine resources,
including squid.

California Department of Fish and Game News Release

Contacts:
Dale Sweetnam, DFG Marine Region,(858) 546-7170
Marci Yaremko, DFG Marine Region,(858) 442-3004
Jordan Traverso, DFG Communications,(916) 654-9937

UPDATE! 2010/2011 Waterfowl Regulations

Hot off the, uh.... pixels on my screen... courtesy of the fine folks over at California Waterfowl Association

2010/11 WATERFOWL REGULATIONS BY ZONE

This information is provided to you as a general guide only. Please refer to
the California Department of Fish and Game website or other materials for
official information. We cannot be responsible for any typos or changes in the listed information.

REGULATION HIGHLIGHTS FOR ALL ZONES:
**The duck season is > 100 days, and the bag limit 7 birds/day in all zones.
**Pintail bag is 2 birds/day (either sex) for the entire season.
**Mallard bag will 7 birds/day, and two may be hens.
**Canvasback bag is 1 bird/day for the entire season.
**Scaup bag is 3 birds/day, and the season will be 86 days.
**"Electronic" Spinning wing decoys will be allowed from December 1 until
the season ends (statewide).

BALANCE OF STATE ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 100 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 23, 2010 through January 30, 2011.
Brant Special Management Areas:
Northcoast Brant (Humboldt Bay) November 7, 2010 through December 6, 2010.
Southcoast Brant (Tomales and Morro Bay), November 13, 2010 through December 12, 2010; 2 per day, 4 possession.
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011
Early Resident Canada Goose Season: October 2, 2010 through October 6, 2010
(Except in the North Coast Special Management Area)

Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese of which only 6 can be dark geese. Bag may include up to 6 large Canada geese; 6 small Canada geese, 6 white geese; 4 white fronts.
Early Resident Canada Goose Season: 6 Canada geese
Sacramento Valley Special Management Area: No more than 2 white fronts may
be taken only from October 23, 2010 until December 14, 2010.
For more information on the Sacramento Valley (West) Special Management Area limits and
boundaries, please refer to the Fish and Game Waterfowl Regulation Booklet.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks: 105 Day Straight Season (scaup during first 86 days only)
October 9, 2010 through January 21, 2011
Geese: 100 Day Straight Season
October 9, 2010 through January 16, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: September 25 and 26, 2010

Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese of which only 6 may be dark geese. Only 1 may be a small Canada goose (Aleutian or cackling) and only 2 may be large Canada geese; 6 white geese; 4 white fronts.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks: 102 days split Season (scaup during last 79 days only)
October 9, 2010 through October 31, 2010 and November 13, 2010 through
January 30, 2011
Geese: 100 Day Straight Season
October 23, 2010 through January 30, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011

Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese, of which only 6 may be dark geese, and include up to 6 large Canada geese; 6 small Canada geese; 6 white geese; 4 white fronts.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 100 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 23, 2010 through January 30, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011

Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese, of which only 6 may be white geese and 3 may be dark geese.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

COLORADO RIVER ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 101 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 22, 2010 through January 30, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011

Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, but not more than 2 female mallards or Mexican-like ducks; 2 pintail (either sex); 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 6.
Daily bag limits may contain 6 white geese and up to 3 may be dark geese.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

To check out the Waterfowl Zone Map, click here>>

For more information, visit California Department of Fish & Game website by clicking here>>

2009/2010 Waterfowl Regulations Update - 2 Pintail!

According to our good friends over at California Waterfowl Association, Waterfowl regulations for the 2009-2010 hunting season have been approved by the California Fish and Game Commission, including a two pintail limit for the first time in twelve years. Other highlights for hunters include a raised limit on scaup and a reopening on canvasback.

According to Greg Yarris, Director of Conservation Policy for California Waterfowl, “The liberal regulations approved this year are the result of a strong western stock of mallards and improved local duck production this year because of timely spring rains.”

Waterfowl hunters will benefit this fall with a recommendation which calls for a duck season of 100 days, and a daily bag limit of seven ducks. In addition to pintails, there is also good news for hunters who enjoy diving ducks. The bag limit on redheads remains two birds, but the limit on canvasbacks (which was closed last season) is one for the entire season. The scaup season length remains at 86 days, but the bag limit went from two birds to three.

The pintail breeding population increased by 23% in North America, but it was the change in the distribution of pintail from the north to prairies further south that had the greatest effect on the regulatory outcome.

“Pintail are typically more successful when breeding in Prairie habitats,” explained Bob McLandress, President of California Waterfowl, “which allows for more hunter opportunity and an increased bag limit due to a southern shift in their distribution.”


REGULATION HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2009/10:


• The duck season will be > 100 days, and the bag limit 7 birds/day in all zones.

• Pintail bag is 2 birds/day (either sex) for the entire season (for the 1st time in 12 years).
• Mallard bag will 7 birds/day, and two may be hens. (up from one hen last season)

• Canvasback bag is 1 bird/day for the entire season. (it was closed last season)

• Scaup bag is 3 birds/day, and the season will be 86 days. (up from 2 last season)

• Spinning wing decoys regs. remain unchanged, and will be allowed from December 1 until the season ends (statewide). (Note - this refers to battery operated and/or motorized spinning wing decoys. Natural wind-driven decoys can be used through the season.)
  

DFG Waterfowl Zone Map -
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/waterfowl/images/waterfowlzonemap.gif

BALANCE OF STATE ZONE

Seasons:

Ducks and Geese: 100 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 24, 2009 through January 31, 2010.

Brant Special Management Areas: Northcoast Brant (Humboldt Bay) November 7,
2009 through December 6, 2009. Southcoast Brant (Tomales and Morro Bay),
November 14, 2009 through December 13, 2009; 2 per day, 4 possession.

Special Youth Hunt Days: February 6 and February 7, 2010 


Limits:

Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards of which only 2 
can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup. 
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

Geese: Daily bag limit: 8. Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese of which only 6 
can be dark geese. Bag may include up to 6 large Canada geese; 6 small Canada geese, 6 white geese; 4 white fronts.


Sacramento Valley Special Management Area: No more than 2 white fronts may be taken only from October 24, 2009 until December 14, 2009. For more information 
on the Sacramento Valley (West) Special Management Area limits and boundaries, please refer to the Fish and Game Waterfowl Regulation Booklet.
 Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA ZONE

Seasons:

Ducks: 105 Day Straight Season (scaup during first 86 days only)
October 10, 2009 through January 22, 2010 

Geese: 100 Day Straight Season 
October 10, 2009 through January 17, 2010 
Special Youth Hunt Days: September 26 and 27, 2009


Limits:

Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 
can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup. 
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8. Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese of which only 6 
may be dark geese. Only 1 may be a small Canada goose (Aleutian or cackling)
and only 2 may be large Canada geese; 6 white geese; 4 white fronts. 
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY ZONE

Seasons:

Ducks: 102 days split Season (scaup during last 79 days only)
October 10, 2009 through November 1, 2009 and November 14, 2009 through
January 31, 2010

Geese: 100 Day Straight Season
October 24, 2009 through January 31, 2010

Special Youth Hunt Days: February 6 and February 7, 2010

Limits:

Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2
can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup. 
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

Geese: Daily bag limit: 8. Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese, of which only 6 
may be dark geese, and include up to 6 large Canada geese; 6 small Canada geese; 6 white geese; 4 white fronts. 
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ZONE

Seasons:

Ducks and Geese: 100 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 24, 2009 through January 31, 2010

Special Youth Hunt Days: February 6 and February 7, 2010
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 
can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup. 
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

Geese: Daily bag limit: 8. Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese, of which only 6 
may be white geese and 3 may be dark geese.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

COLORADO RIVER ZONE

Seasons:

Ducks and Geese: 101 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 23, 2009 through January 31, 2010

Special Youth Hunt Days: February 6 and February 7, 2010
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7. Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, but not more than 2 female mallards or Mexican-like ducks; 2 pintail (either sex); 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 
3 scaup. 
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

Geese: Daily bag limit: 6. Daily bag limits may contain 6 white geese and up to 3 
may be dark geese. 
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.

For more information as well as any changes or corrections which may affect you or the limits in your area, visit DFG’s website at
http://dfg.ca.gov/regulations/09-10-waterfowl-sum.html

Shooting Times:
Northern California -
http://dfg.ca.gov/regulations/bird-shoot-times-no-cal.html

Southern California -
http://dfg.ca.gov/regulations/bird-shoot-times-so-cal.html