Comments regarding NorCal RSG Stakeholder Log

[Tino Bernazzani]

Moderator Edit: To keep the stakeholder log functioning as a true "log" and a mechanism to post information by diving RSG Brandi, I've created a separate thread to hold all RSG log-related comments. This is to keep the stakeholder's log and messages therein from getting lost among the numerous comments that will surely arise. Thanks all.

See Stakeholder's log here. http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=100230

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Nice,
how does this not surprise me.
Didn't they already post the first set of maps?
I saw that they are going hard for Navarow both North and South of the river mouth.
Its hard to tell exactly where the lines are at but it does not look good.
Either way, thank you for your efforts Brandi and give them hell when and while you can.

[Brandi]

Hi Tino et All,
Yes, the 8 external arrays are posted and ready to view. These are only proposals pre-RSG, nothing defined yet. The NCRSG will refer to these to create arrays to submit to the Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF). PLEASE take a look at them, read the info, the rationales, the allowances, etc. If there is anything you feel needs comment, would really like your input!NCRSG-2010@yahoo.com

Also, there is a NCRSG conference call Thursday February 25 4-6pm that the public is welcome to listen in.there may even be public comment time too. It is a follow-up to our discussions on tribal concerns. I will post specific info soon.

Sfae diving,
Brandi

[zenspearo]

Hi Brandi,

Speaking for myself, I don't know too much about the areas up there so it's hard for me to have much of an attachment to any particular area--yet.

Can you give a quick "feel" for what are the important areas for spearos? I assume that like SoCal, we will push hard to keep those areas open and it will be public knowledge but if you feel PMs will be more appropriate, I'd welcome that as well.

Joe.

[ocean_314]

Hi Brandi,

The one array that has the Big River in it is an ecological disaster in the making In the Big River estuary an invasive species called the European Green Crab is established.
The sport crab fisherman and divers keep the populations of these crabs under control. If this was closed to crabbing the green crab will wipe out the Dungeness crab nursery.
If anyone wants to see green crabs in big river I will be more then happy to take them on a dive and show them where they are.
For the last 5 years I have been diving 3 or 4 times a year just to catch the green crab and reduce the populations in Big River, diving for Dungeness crab in Mendocino bay is one of my favorite dives and I don’t what the green crabs to wipe out the nursery. I also have educated the sport crabbers to kill these things when they get them in their nets. At first I would fill up a couple of lobster full of green crabs, after 5 years the population is down so that I can only get 20 or so. The results are that for the first time in years the rock crabs are coming back in Big River. And the dimes sized baby Dungeness crabs are all over the place again.

[Brandi]

So if I am understanding you Ocean_314 correctly, if an MPA has to be placed in Big River, you would like to see it have allowances for take of Green Crab?

Hi Brandi,

The one array that has the Big River in it is an ecological disaster in the making In the Big River estuary an invasive species called the European Green Crab is established.
The sport crab fisherman and divers keep the populations of these crabs under control. If this was closed to crabbing the green crab will wipe out the Dungeness crab nursery.
If anyone wants to see green crabs in big river I will be more then happy to take them on a dive and show them where they are.
For the last 5 years I have been diving 3 or 4 times a year just to catch the green crab and reduce the populations in Big River, diving for Dungeness crab in Mendocino bay is one of my favorite dives and I don’t what the green crabs to wipe out the nursery. I also have educated the sport crabbers to kill these things when they get them in their nets. At first I would fill up a couple of lobster full of green crabs, after 5 years the population is down so that I can only get 20 or so. The results are that for the first time in years the rock crabs are coming back in Big River. And the dimes sized baby Dungeness crabs are all over the place again.

[ocean_314]

So if I am understanding you Ocean_314 correctly, if an MPA has to be placed in Big River, you would like to see it have allowances for take of Green Crab?

No for the take of the Dungeness crab, the green crab is killed by the Dungeness crab fisherman when they are caught when fishing for the Dungeness crabs. If Big River is closed to Dungeness crabs no one will fish just for the green crabs.

The green crab has no food value as it only gets about 3 to 4 inches across the shell. The green crab is a highly aggressive crab that eats baby Dungeness crabs and out competes the Dungeness crabs for food.

The science says that the rock crabs kill the green crabs but from my observations it’s the rock crabs that seem to disappear when the green crabs are present .I have seen green crabs and rock crabs right next to each other . They don’t fight and seem to ignore each other.

I know the Big River estuary from years of diving, I know what lives in it and at what times of year. The array that mentions Big River is done by some science teachers at the local high school who don’t have a clue about the estuary. I don’t think these people have ever stuck their heads underwater anywhere.