From the Boathouse: Fish around for the rules of sport fishing
Ahoy!
We are having perfect summertime weather for the start of spring, with the sea conditions very favorable for boating, and many people are offshore fishing.
Everyone who likes to fish should review the current regulations published by the California Department of Fish and Game. A supplemental booklet will be released in May with updated regulations for tuna, groundfish and Pacific halibut.
The first very important booklet, released in March, details the 2015-2016 ocean sport fishing regulations. You can download a PDF version with all the changes marked by red headings. Additionally, you can download an ocean sport fishing regulations map, a black and blue rockfish identification flier, an abalone video showing how to comply with the regulations, and other helpful publications.
These useful publications include photos and drawings of fish, all applicable regulations by species and management area listings. Go to https://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansportregs.asp or contact the main office at AskMarine@wildlife.ca.gov or (831) 649-2870.
Locally, Davey’s Locker daily fishing report is showing that anglers are reeling in sheephead, sculpin, rockfish and red snapper, to mention a few. The recreational and commercial spiny-lobster season came to the end on March 18, so put your hoop nets away until next season.
Abalone season will open on April 1, but you will have to travel to the waters north of San Francisco Bay. Remember, the start time changed last year to 8 a.m. from one half hour before sunrise. Thus, you cannot search for or take any abalone before 8 each morning, and the daily finish time remains the same at one half hour after sunset.
News of the week: Did you know that drug traffickers are trying to use cruise ships in their activities? Two crew members were arrested on Royal Caribbean Line’s Splendour of the Seas, which cruises the coastlines of Europe and South America. The pair were caught with 33 pounds of pure cocaine worth over $1 million by Argentine police while the ship was docked in Buenos Aires.
They were detained while trying to board the ship when it was discovered that they had bags of cocaine taped to their bodies. Afterward, authorities with drug-sniffing dogs found more cocaine in the cabin that the two shared aboard the ship.
This is not the first time that the cruise industry has experienced crew members or passengers being arrested for drugs in other countries. Sometimes, the drugs are for personal use, but earlier this month, five Norwegian Cruise Line crew members were arrested in Florida for smuggling cocaine.
These motley crew members are galley workers, and they had 15 pounds of cocaine hidden in their underwear. In my view, just being in their underwear is bad enough, but wouldn’t they look like they were wearing full diapers? Also, customs officials found over $40,000 in cash and receipts from Western Union transfers.
Lastly, if you missed the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach, you have a chance to see it this weekend at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. San Diego is an easy drive south on the 5 Freeway. The show ends Sunday at 6 p.m.
For details, go to FredHall.com.
As always, just keep an eye to the weather for any changes. Please be boat smart and boat safe. Lastly, please boat responsibly and look behind you before you turn the wheel at the helm.
The original boating program, “Boathouse TV & Radio Shows,” has stretched from coast to coast for more than two decades. See the details at https://www.boathousetv.com, https://www.facebook.com/boathouseradio and https://www.twitter.com/boathouseradio.
Safe voyages!
MIKE WHITEHEAD is a boating columnist for the Daily Pilot. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to https://www.boathousetv.com.