Oh to be on the water...

So we are unable fish.  We are on strike - still - again - I think.  But regardless, the weather is crap and doesnt look to improve until the weekend at the earliest.  So we have a few more small maintenance things to work on and they we are ready to go.  I have to admit, I am now looking forward to fishing again.  Hopefully we will be able to work out the issues as it relates to price.  Now that I think of it - how is this not illegal collusion by the markets?  The markets are working together in an effort to keep they price they pay the fishermen down.  Sounds like agreements in restraint of trade to me...  OK - enough of that, I am going to eat some dinner and wait for the ability to make a living.  Til then, I will work on my garden, watch some playoff basketball and put miles on my truck....

Recent events – on and off the water: Squid at Central Coast, Strike, & AB-1299

Once again, rumors of catchable squid arose from the Central Coast.  Once again, few people paid it any heed.  Evidently, there is some truth to these rumors.  Second hand reports tell of deliveries of 70 tons on Tuesday and 100 on Wednesday.  There was also a meeting held on Wednesday with the processors in Monterey.  The fishermen were trying to get a commitment from the markets surrounding price.  Evidently the meeting did not go well and we are supposedly on strike … again.  In my post of March 26 I alluded to the fact that we, as a group, are almost never successful in using work stoppages effectively.  So while we are today on strike, I am fairly certain it won’t last.  Update – 12:35PM and I just got off the phone with someone who was there – in Monterey.  Evidently the presence of a group of San Pedro fishermen went a long way towards uniting the resolve of the fishermen.  Those who made deliveries on Tuesday and Wednesday stayed in on Wednesday night.  Most of the participating seiners have been contacted and are prepared to hold fast.  The fish that was delivered was beautiful eight count squid, so that may tip the scales in our favor as the demand for this bigger fish is typically higher.  So gotta converse with the partner boat and see what the future holds.  My 2011 commercial license is at the ready, my bags are packed and boat is all fueled up.  Time will tell…

Now on to the meat of this post – AB 1299.  On April 12, Assembly Bill 1299, the Forage Species Conservation and Management Act of 2011, made it through the Water Parks and Wildlife Committee along party lines and currently sits with the appropriation committee.  AB 1299 was authored by Assemblymember Jared Huffman.  Actually, it was prepared and written by Oceana, Inc and presented to Huffman for his sponsorship in getting the bill passed.  If you wish to view the language click the following link - http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_1251-1300/ab_1299_bill_20110411_amended_asm_v97.pdf.  Interestingly, in 2008 a similar bill (AB-2172) was presented to the State legislature and died in committee.  Here is a link to AB-2172.  Amazing how the two different authors – Plescia in 2008 and Huffman in 2011 – can use virtually the same language.  http://www.pcouncil.org/bb/2008/0408/C2a_ATT8.pdf.

Passing through the Committee does not a law make.  As this bill represents an unfunded mandate, it must pass through the appropriations committee.  We all know that California isn’t the most financially secure State, so the hope is that the bill will die here. 

There are plenty of smarter people than I working to stop this from becoming law.  Among the arguments I have seen – these ring the most logical:

·         This bill attempts to pull an 'end-around' our already ultra-precautionary fishery management process, ignores peer-reviewed science and the progress now underway at the Pacific Fishery Management Council to develop a California Current Ecosystem Fishery Management Plan, and attempts to force DFG and the FG Commission to set standards that no fishery could meet.  

·         AB 1299 is redundant, duplicative, unnecessary, and wasteful of taxpayer dollars and time...  

·         The definition of “forage species” is vague and could, conceivably, cover species not considered.  Theoretically, a salmon could be deemed a forage species as it survives on plankton when young and is targeted by orcas and sea lions when larger.

Let’s hope that good science and logic win out over emotion and fear.  The fisheries management in California is already amongst the world’s most revered.  No need to fix that which isn’t broken!

Hurry up and wait...

Not much to report - in fact, nothing to report.  Since my last entry there have been no changes.  Still no squid and the weather has remained an issue.  More and more of the northern based boats have either begun their long journeys north, or are in final preparations for doing so.  There are scattered reports of small bait spots at Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz.  These spots dont have commercial volume and the quality of the fish is not great.  The fish is on the small side (15 - 17 count) and it is spawned out - meaning the outer layer of skin is scarred and the females are without their egg sacks.  There area also reports that the salmon being caught in and around Monterey have squid in their diet.  This may soon change as there appears to be a biomass of anchovy moving into that area.  The southern locations - Catalina, San Clemente and the coastline between Rocky Point and La Jolla are showing no signs of improvement.  As my prior post highlights - this is normal for this time of the year.  Panic is beginning to set in with some vessels - why those who are knowledgeable of the fishery arent worried at all..

Onward to more maintenance chores so that when the season begins we are ready to partake.

Update - Sunday, April 3, 2011

Another supposed work night - and yet no work.  Evidently we could fish if we wanted - meaning there isnt a strike; but that could be the direct result of a serious lack of fish.  The entire California Coastline between La Jolla and Monterey has been explored over the past week.  While we cannot agree on a stategy to deal with the markets, we are all in agreement that there is a definite lack of squid at the present time.  This isnt that big of a shock based on to records provided on the California Department of Fish and Game's website (see: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/fishing.asp).  In April of 2009, the following market areas accounted for the following pounds delivered:
 

Market Area	Landings – pounds	Landings – tons
Monterey	444,338	222
Ventura	1,264,193	632
Los Angeles	5, 912	2 ½

For 2008, the following numbers were reported.

Market Area	Landings – pounds	Landings – tons
Monterey	0	0
Ventura	3	0
Los Angeles	372,017	186

Note:  Figures for 2010 have not been made available on the DFG’s website. 

Many of the out-of-state fishermen who left their boats in California in anticipation of a big opener are beginning to consider moving their boats back to their home states in order to participate or prepare to participate in whatever fishery they normally would be doing – Salmon, Herring, Sardine, etc.  Those who are California based fishermen will have to wait it out or begin maintenance projects which were not dealt with between January and the April 1 opener. 

While I would much prefer there to be squid around in vast supply, I am not losing any sleep over the shortage.  The weather in the Spring is typically bad.  Afternoon and evening gales in the northern islands are commonplace.  There is something to be said for being able to sleep in a bed and not have to spend numerous nights on the water.  As previously alluded too, we don’t get much off time during the season.  Typically our week ends Friday after the seiner unloads or the light boat returns to harbor.  Usually you will have laundry to do and groceries to purchase for the following week.  Other errands and sleep will get in the way of having any semblance of a meaningful social life.  I know many squid fishermen who are more tired when they leave on Sunday, than they were when they returned on Friday.

My laptop should be returned to me – hopefully – by the end of the week.  I will be able to provide more frequent postings after that.