Proposed Regulation Changes for Striped Bass California Department of Fish and Game California Fish and Game Commission Meeting February 2, 2012

Trustee Responsibilities The Department of Fish and Game has Trustee responsibility to ensure the long-term sustainability of native fishes (Delta and longfin smelt and anadromous salmonids) and important non-native sport fish.

Delta Fish Population Trends  Winter-run Chinook collapse since the 1980’s  Delta and longfin smelt populations have steeply declined since the 1990’s  Recent indices are persistently low despite sometimes-favorable environmental conditions and intensive management

Possible Causes of Decline of Listed Species  Habitat degradation  Water diversions  Water quality  Fishery and hatchery effects  Predation and competition  Changes in ecosystem and food web dynamics

Approach for Attaining Goal  Reduce the abundance of striped bass through sport fishing regulations  Allow increased harvest of striped bass  Managing uncertainty impact of regulation change Proposal Goal The Department seeks to increase the abundance of the listed species

Proposed Changes  Increase daily bag limit from 2 to 6 fish and possession limit from 4 to 12 fish  Lower minimum size from 18 to 12 inches  “Hot spot” at Clifton Court Forebay  Daily bag limit = 20; Poss. limit = 40  No size limit; On-site Report card  Allow harvest of striped bass in the Carmel, Pajaro, and Salinas rivers

Historical Overview

Concerns likely to be voiced by the public today  You may hear that “the impact of striped bass predation on listed species is negligible. ”

Chinook salmon abundance ~200 ~800

Abundance Indices

Striped bass abundance ~1.5 Million

Annual consumption by striped bass ~50 Million Pounds

Concerns likely to be voiced by the public today  You may hear “there are more important issues that need to be addressed”

Habitat Enhancement  Bay Delta Ecosystem Restoration Program  Bay Delta Ecosystem Restoration Program -- Upwards of $700 million spent on: Fish screens at diversions Fish passage improvements (Battle Creek = $40M) Riparian and in-stream restoration Many (many) other restorations

Concerns likely to be voiced by the public today  You may hear “the striped bass fishery will collapse.”

Striped bass harvest rate and abundance

Concerns likely to be voiced by the public today  You may hear that “there will be predictable human health issues related to the increase in fish consumption?” Smaller fish have lower concentrations of mercury than larger fish Smaller fish have lower concentrations of mercury than larger fish OEHHA determines the advisory limit on consumption OEHHA determines the advisory limit on consumption

Managing the Uncertainty  Prepare adaptive management plan  Monitor striped bass fishery and other predator populations  Monitor population dynamics of anadromous salmonids, delta smelt, and longfin smelt  Report results of monitoring and surveys  Analyze efficacy of regulatory changes

Recommended Action  Direct the Department and Commission  Prepare a regulatory packet  Commence environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act  Develop a robust adaptive management plan with partner agencies and stakeholders

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Striped bass abundance versus prey-fish consumed

Abundance Index

Potential Health Implications  Increased consumption of striped bass may expose consumer to elevated levels of methylmercury  Potential impacts of regulation change on consumption levels are unknown  OEHHA will have to evaluate potential increased human health risk