Draft ARMP Town Hall Meeting: Summary

September 7, 2002
Fort Bragg City Hall
Fort Bragg, CA

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The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) held a town hall meeting in Fort Bragg on September 7, 2002, to receive informal public comments on the draft Abalone Recovery and Management Plan (ARMP). The objectives of the town hall meeting were to:

• Explain key features of the draft ARMP
• Obtain public comments and suggestions on the draft ARMP

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Konstantin Karpov, senior marine biologist, DFG, welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending the meeting. He noted that DFG was holding the meeting to receive informal public input on the development of the draft ARMP. He explained that this meeting follows a series of workshops held by the DFG, in July 2000, November 2001, and March 2002, to receive input from a broad spectrum of abalone interests and expertise. He also explained that opportunity for formal public comment on the ARMP would follow the DFG's submission of the plan to the Fish and Game Commission in early December. Mr. Karpov then reviewed the agenda for the meeting. He explained the terms "precautionary" and "sustainable". He introduced DFG's presenters that would be explaining key features of the draft ARMP.

Abalone Biology and Status of the Stocks

Jerry Kashiwada, marine biologist, DFG, presented an overview of abalone biology and the status of the stocks, explaining aspects of reproduction, age and growth, disease, predation, and environmental conditions that affect abalone stocks. He explained the importance of close abalone aggregations for successful reproduction. Studies indicate that fertilization drops to 50% if abalone are more than 2 meters apart. DFG estimates that a minimum viable population level of 2,000 abalone per hectare (2.5 acres) is needed for populations to sustain themselves. He explained that abalone larvae don't travel far and for that reason, once adult populations are depleted, it is difficult for abalone to recover. At about 4 inches in length, abalone appear in emergent surveys. Although DFG biologists see many legal-sized abalone in surveys, they have not seen good recruitment of these newly emerged abalone. Since it takes at least seven years (in the south) for abalone to grow to legal size, the legal-sized abalone that are seen now must supply the fishery for several years. Mr. Kashiwada explained the impact of disease on abalone particularly withering syndrome in black abalone, which has devastated that population in southern California. Although the bacteria that causes the disease has been found in northern California abalone, the disease has not been detected. It is thought that the colder water in northern California has prevented the disease from occurring there. Sea otters are a significant predator of abalone and will preclude a significant fishery within their range. Mr. Kashiwada went on to explain the affects that environmental factors such as El Niño and pollution can have on abalone stocks. El Niño events affect the food supply, which affects abalone growth; in addition, warmer water may exacerbate the effects of withering syndrome. Pollution can impact kelp beds, affecting a food source and abalone habitat.

In describing the status of abalone stocks in southern California, commercial landings data from before the 1997 moratorium illustrated the decline of abalone species to very low levels; the decline was caused by disease, sea otter range extension and predation, and fishing. White abalone are federally listed as an endangered species, black abalone is a candidate for federal listing, and green and pink abalones are potential future candidates. Southern California red abalone has been reduced to one remnant population at San Miguel Island.

In the northern California red abalone fishery, concentrated fishery effort and increased take, poor recruitment (few young abalone), a decline in deep water stocks, and depletion in high use areas is evident. Consideration of these factors resulted in the Fish and Game Commission's decision to reduce the daily and annual limits for sport abalone.

A short period for clarifying questions followed.

Recovery Plan

Pete Haaker, senior marine biologist, DFG, presented highlights of the recovery portion of the ARMP. He explained that the recovery portion of the draft ARMP focuses on southern California abalone stocks (south of San Francisco). The draft ARMP's interim goals are to: prevent extinction, rebuild populations to self-sustainability, and rebuild populations to fishable levels. The long-term goal of the draft plan is to rebuild populations to levels that a fishery could be considered. Mr. Haaker presented a conceptual model from the draft plan, which illustrates various levels of stock abundance. 6,600 abalone per hectare (2.5 acres) is considered a sustainable fishery level. From 6,600 abalone per hectare to 3,000 abalone per hectare is a precautionary zone, below which is the 2,000 abalone per hectare minimum viable population. Below the 2,000 abalone per hectare level is an at risk zone.

Mr. Haaker went on to present the draft plan's approach to monitoring recovery, using criteria from key index sites. Criterion 1 would be broad size ranges at all index sites; criterion 2 would be self-sustaining populations, at densities of 2,000 abalone per hectare at all key locations; and criterion 3 would be an average of 6,600 abalone per hectare at the index locations in at least 3/4 of the recovery areas, the sustainable fishery level. These criteria would need to apply to each species. The number of index site locations could be re-evaluated in the event of habitat loss, environmental change, or other such factors, including sea otter reoccupation.

Mr. Haaker went on to describe the draft plan's proposed recovery activities and their potential drawbacks, including: aggregation of emergent stock, translocation of emergent stock, and culture. Mr. Haaker explained that the timeline for recovery is likely to take decades.

A short period for questions followed.

Management - Interim and Long-term Approach

Ms. Jennifer O'Leary, marine biologist, DFG, described the highlights of the management portion of the ARMP. She explained that the proposed plan consists of an interim plan that is precautionary and short-term (2003 - 2009), and is based on limited data and imprecise management controls. The proposed long-term plan could be less precautionary because it would be based on better and more data. She again reviewed the proposed conceptual model for interim management. 6,600 abalone per hectare would be considered a sustainable fishery level, and a level at which a closed fishery would be considered for re-opening. 3,000 abalone per hectare would be the level at which fishery closure would be proposed by the Department. Again, 2,000 abalone per hectare is the minimum viable population level.

Ms. O'Leary described the draft plan's interim management components, which include an annual total allowable catch (TAC), criteria for measuring stock conditions, and two decision tables using criteria to guide changes. She described the proposed criteria in the plan for stock conditions: recruitment (high abundance of sub-legal, emergent abalone); densities of 6,600 abalone per hectare at all depths and 3,300 abalone per hectare for deep depths, and 2,000 abalone per hectare minimum viable population; and catch-per-unit effort and serial (local) depletion (decrease in CPUE, significant increase in the distance traveled from an access point). Recruitment and density criteria would be used to adjust the TAC up or down, while CPUE, serial depletion, and density criteria would be used to consider area closures and re-openings. Ms. O'Leary explained some of the limitations of the proposed interim management plan, including the limited amount of data available for decision making, and that the TAC applies to the entire fishery range.

The key elements of the proposed long-term management plan were described, including zonal management, use of abalone tags, and increased fishery independent data collection. The proposed target for the long-term management plan's implementation is 2009. The proposed plan calls for a planning process for re-opening fisheries when 75% of the recovery index sites meet the 6,600 abalone per hectare criteria.

A short question period followed.

Public Comment

Mr. Ed Schulze suggested that the abalone report cards should include an explanation that the abalone need to be kept in the shell. He suggested that in order to get better compliance on returns of abalone punch cards, that the punch card system be modified to be like the deer and bear tag systems. He proposed that the system be modified so that in order to receive an abalone card, one should fill out an application, and if the card is not returned, then that person would not be eligible for a card the next season. He provided written materials on the DFG's hunting programs for reference. Mr. Schulze proposed that a raffle system for certain areas be considered by DFG. He expressed a willingness to serve on a committee to help advise DFG in these matters. He also suggested that DFG consider an education program that includes an abalone safety course, to better educate the public on how to not fatally injure sub-legal abalone.

Mr. Mike Wilkins explained that he had an extensive background of 16 years as an urchin diver on the north coast. He stated that he thought a daily limit was alright, as well as a seasonal limit. He stated that he sees a lot of abalone, in the tens of thousands, and is sure that he could provide DFG with areas that would exceed 6,600 abalone per hectare. He also stated that he sees size ranges that are desirable. Mr. Wilkins commented that he has never been approached to participate in surveys or to provide DFG with information, and that he would be willing to help with surveys. He stated that he has observed areas that are not being fished where coastal access is limited, but even in areas where access is not as limited he sees a lot of abalone. Mr. Wilkins commented that he was skeptical of the TAC based on the survey sites that DFG uses. He also stated that tag drawings could be problematic, that people could be moved around inefficiently in such a system. Mr. Wilkins expressed a strong interest in getting involved.

Mr. Paul Weakland commented that he was disappointed with DFG because his questions have not been answered. He submitted a report that he wrote entitled "Calamity California", and dated November 1997. He expressed concern about withering syndrome. He stated that if his questions were answered, the DFG would not need to hold public meetings. He commented that the DFG had not done a good job responding to comments. He stated that the DFG needed to state the level of error in their data.

Mr. Gene Kramer commented that he liked the density criteria proposed in the draft ARMP. He also commented that he thought the TAC was appropriate. He suggested that a zonal management approach would need to be fine scaled enough to allow individual beaches a rest. He suggested that underwater scooters would allow the DFG to cover more area in their surveys, which would help in areas with low abalone densities.

Mr. Ed Flynn commented that all indications are that there are a lot of abalone out there in the north. He stated that the DFG's survey efforts should be focused on divers, not shore pickers, and that diving should be defined at greater than 10 feet.

Ms. Mary Lorenz commented that she agreed with Mike Wilkins, that the divers that she knows see a lot of abalone. She suggested that the DFG take advantage of local people who know the coastline. She stated that the ARMP does not contain an education component, which needs to be emphasized. Ms. Lorenz suggested that an abalone education program be similar to a hunter safety program and that such a course be a requirement for obtaining an abalone card. She suggested that any closures be implemented on a rotating area basis, not total closures. She also suggested that DFG include night dives as part of their diving surveys. Ms. Lorenz also commented that DFG should make available the scientific papers that it cites, not just the citations, because it is difficult for the public to locate scientific papers. She also requested that the DFG hold another town hall meeting in Fort Bragg to allow more people to attend.

Mr. Fonseca commented that he thought that DFG's enforcement was doing a good job. He stated that it was difficult to find follow-up reports on research that had been done. He also commented that there is a tremendous resource of local divers that DFG is not utilizing. He suggested that any peer review of the ARMP include the international community, and that the recovery in New Zealand has been phenomenal. He expressed alarm over the outplanting of abalone on the north coast and the potential for disease. Mr. Fonseca commented that the DFG is not using good science. He suggested a scientific study of outplants to check for disease, with only those without disease being used for outplants. He stated that the quarantine policy of the DFG has not been adequate. He commented that imported animals must be quarantined.

Mr. Bob Janetz commented that there is plenty of abalone. He stated that he is in favor of closing areas that need it, but doesn't want continued take reductions. He stated that the three sites used for data collection are not representative. He suggested translocation of abalone. Mr. Janetz stated that he appreciated the meeting.

Mayor Jere Melo submitted written comments. He stated that the first that he was aware of the meeting was from the local newspaper on August 29, and that because of that, there wasn't enough time for all council members to provide comments by the morning of the town hall meeting. He thanked the DFG for holding a town hall meeting in Fort Bragg. He expressed how important abalone is to the residents of the Mendocino coast, as a food source, and as an important component of the local economy. He stated that local residents see poaching as a serious threat to abalone stocks, and that the sport abalone fishery helps in deterring poaching through the presence of sport divers. He encouraged the DFG to seek improved public access to the coast. He commented that the ARMP should allow for collection of data on a statistically sound basis. He expressed concern with no take abalone preserves, stating that poaching in these areas could be a problem. He invited DFG staff to provide updates on abalone management at City Council meetings.

Summary and Adjournment

Following a break, the DFG staff presented a summary of the verbal comments that they heard at the meeting. Mr. Karpov thanked the audience for attending and providing the DFG with their comments. The meeting was adjourned.