Abalone Season Reopens on the North Coast on April 1
The season opener for divers and shore pickers to hunt for California's famous red abalone in waters north of San Francisco Bay is April 1.
The open season for the delectable mollusk will run from April 1 through June 30 with a one-month closure during July to give the resource a „breather‰ at a time of year when abalone take has traditionally been high. The season resumes on Aug. 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
Regulations governing the sport take of red abalone have helped to preserve the tradition of abalone diving and shore picking in northern California for nearly 100 years. For 2007, red abalone regulations include:
* Free divers and shore pickers (16 years or older) must possess a valid sport fishing license as well as an Abalone Permit Report Card (also known as a „punch card‰). The use of scuba is prohibited.
* Abalone taken must exceed the minimum size limit of 7 inches measured along the longest shell diameter.
* The daily bag limit is three per day, with a maximum limit of 24 abalone per year.
* Abalone Permit Report Cards must be returned to DFG within 30 days of the close of the season (due Dec. 30, 2007). Report cards should be mailed to DFG‚s Fort Bragg field office at 19160 South Harbor Drive, Fort Bragg, CA 95437-5798. The cards may be submitted early. Regulations also require that report cards be returned even if no abalone were taken.
For the full set of abalone regulations, check the 2007 Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet, available wherever fishing licenses are sold and online at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations.
This is the seventh year an Abalone Permit Report Card has been required in addition to a fishing license for each person taking abalone. Those taking abalone are required to immediately punch a hole in the appropriate area on the card and record catch information for each abalone taken once they reach shore or boat. The report card is a valuable tool that helps DFG manage the northern California red abalone fishery. Data from the cards are used along with other information to estimate landings - information that helps biologists monitor the health of this sport fishery. For more information about California‚s red abalone, visit the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/abalone.html.
Lady Cagers
On Sat. March 17th Sacred Heart 8th grade girls played St. Cecelia's from San Geronimo Valley The Lady Cagers won 39 to 31.
Sacred won their 3rd playoff game at Marin Catholic. Sumonti Smith led the scoring with 12 points followed by Lindsey McFadden with seven points, Emma Meckfessel with six points and Ana Gonzalez and Teresa Vega with five points each.
Tahlia Roma, Emma Meckfessel and Ana Gonzalez all played intensive defense. This game put the Sacred Heart Girls into the "finals" on Sunday the 18th at Terra Linda high school.
On Sundaythe 18th the Sacred Heart girls lost to St. Isabella 18 to 14. This game was an intense defensive game. Sacred Heart finished Second in the County of Marin tourney. Submitted by coach Kathy Tyson
Lady Cagers on a winning streak
On Sat. March 10th the Sacred Heart Lady Cagers beat St. Isabella 19 to 14. This was their first play off game and the Lady Cagers advanced to the next level.
On Sun. March 11th the Sacred Heart Lady Cagers won over the previously unbeaten St. Patricks 29 to 23. Sumonti Smith sank a three-pointer at the buzzer which took the game into overtime. The Lady Cagers just kept going. Sumonti Smith led the team in scoring with 10 points, followed by Teresa Vega and Ana Gonzalez with 6 points each. Emma Meckfessel, Tahlia Romo and Lindsey McFadden played great defense and retrieved many rebounds. For their next game the Lady Cagers go to Marin Catholic for the semi-finals on Sat. March 17th at 11:15. Submitted by Coach Kathy Tyson.
Increased fishing opportunities for trollers
Posted Wednesday March 14, 2007 --------- If the salmon cooperate, this year’s commercial and recreational salmon fishing seasons promise bountiful returns.
Last week the Pacific Fishery Management Council met and proposed three options for the commercial trollers. All of the options greatly increased the number of fishing days for fishermen from Washington to Southern California. The season off the Sonoma Coast will be include fishing in May, July, August and September. Last year’s calamitous season was closed except for a few weeks in late July and August. Skippers were also limited to 75 fish per boat per week. With the exception of a big “bite” in late July the boat limit wasn’t met.
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Better prospects for salmon season
by Joel Hack ---- Posted Tuesday Feb. 27, 2007 -------- Biologists predictions of the possible salmon harvest are up and so are the hopes of salmon fishermen.
Last year’s season was a disaster. Dave Yarger, President of the Bodega Bay Fishermen’s Marketing Association said, “I wouldn’t have survived if I didn’t get disaster loans from the feds. There was no way I could keep making the boat slip rent and all the other payments.”
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Update March 10, 2007 -------- The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meeting in Sacramento March 5-9 closed with a preliminary decision to forward three alternatives for the Ocean Salmon 2007 season.The full Council will meet to set the season meetings March 26-27.All three alternatives forecast a longer season than last year. No boat limits are included in the alternatives. Last year Ocean trollers were severely limited to a short season and a 75 fish per boat each week limit.
William Tell Restaurant and Bar burgled
Posted Saturday March 3, 2007 -------- Tomales – Sunday, Feb. 25, when staff arrived to open the popular West Marin watering spot, they discovered the office was forced open overnight. The Tomales bar closed at 2 a.m. earlier that morning. About $1500 in cash and an iPod were taken in the break-in. How the burglars entered the building was not apparent. Marin County Sheriff’s Deputies filed a report.
Lady Cagers lose hard fought game
The 8th grade girls basketball team "Lady Cagers" lost to St. Isabella in the divisional first place game on Sunday March 4th at the West Marin Gym 20 to 11.
It was a very tough and well played game by both teams.
Ana Gonzalez led the team in scoring with 5 points.
The defense made the game exciting and the defense kept the score so low. Teresa Vega, Emma Meckfessel and Tahlia Romo played excellent defense. In fact, they played their hearts out. Hats off to all three of them. It was a tough loss.
The Lady Cagers go into the playoffs this weekend and they will play at the San Rafael High School gymnasium at 2:30 on Saturday March 10th. Submitted by Coach Kathy Tyson.
SALMON SAFE: NEW CERTIFICATION PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS EFFORTS TO PROTECT SALMON HABITAT
Marin County, CA -- Marin Organic announced the introduction of its newest program “Salmon Safe” this week – a certification program designed to verify local producers’ environmental stewardship of waterways and riparian habitats. The program is the result of an exciting partnership between Marin Organic and Salmon Safe Oregon, in collaboration with the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin.
“This is an important program for Marin and beyond,” Marin Organic Executive Director Helge Hellberg said. “There are so many in this county who are delighted that the Coho salmon have returned to Marin. Marin Organic’s Salmon Safe seal is another layer of verification that our local and organic producers are excellent stewards of the land.”
Hellberg points out that the program is not just for organic farms, but for any local producer that uses non-toxic, integrated pest management practices and meets the Salmon Safe standards. Salmon Safe certified operations follow strict guidelines developed over three years by California Certified Organic Farmers and Salmon Safe Oregon to ensure that the wild Coho salmon and Steelhead populations in Marin's waterways are continue to grow and flourish.
“We are really excited to be involved in partnerships that support both environmental protection and sustainable agriculture,” Executive Director of the Environmental Action Committee Fred Smith said. “Salmon Safe is a great example that environmental stewardship can be beneficial to businesses.”
Through the program, Marin Organic offers certification to Marin producers, technical assistance to meet the strict guidelines if needed, and incentives in the form of a recognizable label which designates a product as grown with the health of local waterways and their residents in mind.
Many individuals and groups, such as the Salmon Protection And Watershed Network (SPAWN), have been working for years to protect the rivers and streams of Marin County and restore riparian habitat in an effort to foster the return of the salmon to Marin County, according to Hellberg. The Salmon Safe program is a means of verifying that Marin agricultural producers are doing their part as well.
“This program demonstrates that collaborative efforts and mutual understanding can result in an improved environment, farming viability, habitat improvements, enhancement of biodiversity, and the protection of threatened and endangered species,” Marin Agricultural Commissioner Stacey Carlsen said.
Marin Organic is an association of Marin County organic producers whose livelihood is based on a respect for nature and a sense of place. We are dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture and creating a model program to keep farming in Marin County alive. Marin Organic is an essential link between organic farmers and consumers throughout Marin and has become an integral part of the agricultural and educational landscape in Marin County.
Keeping West Marin wild since 1971, the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin is dedicated to responsible environmental stewardship to ensure that human activities are in harmony with the area’s irreplaceable wildlife, scenic and other natural resources. We advocate for restoring native habitats, ecologically sound land management practices, and protecting rural character to preserve West Marin’s unique natural and cultural heritage. Member support helps us to continue our efforts to investigate, advocate and inform to protect the best of West Marin for the benefit of future generations.
