Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/96511
2B Daily News – Saturday, December 1, 2012 Outdoor & living life North Coast Marine Protected California Areas effective December 19 Outdoors Q&A Nineteen marine protected areas (MPAs) will become effective next month, completing the statewide network of MPAs in California's coastal regions. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is pleased to announce the new MPAs will go into effect on Dec. 19 in the north coast and that effective date is weeks earlier than expected. The State Office of Administrative Law recently approved the north coast MPA regulations and boundaries adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) in June 2012. The Commission approved and adopted these regulations to create a suite of MPAs on the north coast between the California/Oregon border and Alder Creek, near Point Arena in Mendocino County. Developed pursuant to the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), this north coast network includes 19 MPAs, one State Marine Recreational Management Area and seven special closures, covering approximately 137 square miles of state waters and 13 percent of the region. The new MPAs include four of the five pre-existing MPAs on the north coast. The MPA at Punta Gorda (Punta Gorda State Marine Reserve) will be removed from the network. A complete listing of all north coast MPAs, including detailed regulations and maps, can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/n cmpas_list.asp. DFG's MPA mobile website, located at www.dfg.ca.gov/m/MP A, will be updated on Dec. 19 to reflect the new MPAs going into effect. The mobile website allows the public to locate any current MPA boundaries and regulations by using an interactive map or searching by name, county or general area. A mobile device's GPS can also be used to find and track a person's current location relative to any MPA. In addition to the mobile website, boaters can view MPAs on nautical charts or other background maps by visiting MarineBIOS at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine /gis/viewer.asp, DFG's interactive online marine and coastal map viewer. For more information on the north coast MPAs or the MLPA, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa. -Department of Fish and Game Winter storms create dangerous conditions Fly tying with Big Game and Waterfowl Parts? Question: My friends that hunt big game and waterfowl often give me deer hide or duck wings and body feathers which I use to tie flies for fishCarrie ing. In the past I have given them flies in return for the hair, fur and feathers. In addition, I have sold flies to a few local sport stores, which may contain materials provided by my hunter friends. Would I be violating Fish and Game laws by trading (bartering) or selling these flies? Granted, these hunters provided materials that make a very small portion of the fly materials used to make flies. However, I grew up among sportsmen in a culture that encouraged the sharing of the harvest (taken by hunting or fishing) and an ethic of utilizing the harvest to the fullest extent (meat, fur, hair and feathers). Please let me know. (Terry T., Davis) Answer: Yes and No. If the flies you tie are made only with the deer hair your friends have given you, then you may sell them (Fish and Game Code, section 4303). Any of the flies you tie that contain bird feathers from birds lawfully taken in California may not be sold as this would be a violation of multiple sections of the Fish and Game Code (including sections 3039 and 3504). The law does provide some exceptions for mammals that are taken under a Trapping License or that are raised under a Domesticated Game Breeding License. Buying and selling parts of bird and mammal species that do not exist in the wild in California are not restricted under this law. For a list of the species that do exist in the wild in California, please go to www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/genplantsanimals.html. Wilson Baited and unbaited crab traps. How many count? Question: If I go out alone and I have 10 hoop nets on my boat, but I only have five baited nets, am I ok or do I need to remove the unbaited nets to comply? (Anonymous) Answer: No more than five hoop nets may be possessed by a person when taking spiny lobster or crab. However, if there are two or more persons on your boat, you may have up to, but not exceed, a total of 10 hoop nets on board when taking spiny lobster or crab (California Code of Regulations Title 14, sections 29.80(b)(1)(A) or (b)(1)(B)). These restrictions apply whether or not the nets are baited. Methods of take MCT file photo Aaron Wagner of Garden City, South Carolina, braves strong rip currents to try and ride the Modest swells along Garden City Beach coming ashore ahead of Hurricane Sandy in October. Over the next few days, a series of powerful storms will rake the coast of California, creating high surf conditions that can be extremely dangerous for those visiting the coastline. State Parks is reminding all that when they go for a walk along the ocean shoreline, be mindful of the dangers and be aware of how you might save a life. "Winter can be a particularly dangerous time for aquatic recreation in California State Parks," warns Jeff David, Lifeguard Supervisor II for the Orange Coast District. "Storms can create large and dangerous surf conditions and we would plead with visitors to heed the warning signs about surf conditions, sneaker wavers, rogue waves and rip currents." All visitors to water recreation areas need to be aware of the fact that many people drown when caught by the periodic waves often called sneaker waves or rogue waves. It happens when people walk right at the surf line, not expecting that any wave will suddenly go much farther up the beach than other waves they are seeing. Some are so powerful that they knock people off their feet and drag them back into the ocean. "Our intention here is to alert and educate the public in the hope that spreading the word about ocean safety will help make this a safe winter all along our coastline," said California State Parks Deputy Director for Operations Ronilee Clark. "Winter storms and sea conditions can dramatically increase the dangers along our coastal areas and all who visit our magnificent coastline need to be aware and take precautions." Below, we have listed things you can do to save someone caught in a rip current. How to avoid and survive rip currents • First, do not flirt with danger. Keep your distance from the surf because "sneaker waves" will surge past you and may catch you and drag you out if you are too close. • Look around. If you are walk- ing at a remote beach, cell phones might not work for calling 9-1-1, and if they do work, it will take a long time for rescue people to get to your location, reducing the change of rescue and survival. • If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly. • Don't fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. • When out of the current, swim towards shore. • If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore, but not directly back into the rip current. • If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help. • If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1. • Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. -California State Parks Question: In the big game regulations it states that shotguns capable of holding not more than three shells firing single slugs may be used for the taking of deer, bear and wild pigs. In areas where the discharge of rifles or shotguns with slugs is prohibited by county ordinance, shotguns capable of holding not more than three shells firing size 0 or 00 buckshot may be used for the taking of deer only. Does that mean buckshot may be used for deer anywhere hunting is legal? Slugs are not prohibited in my county, but I want to confirm buckshot is legal also. (Mike D.) Answer: No, 0 and 00 buckshot are legal to use for deer ONLY and ONLY in areas where the discharge of rifles or shotguns with slugs is prohibited by county ordinance. Buckshot is not legal to use for taking big game otherwise. Selling Eurasian starlings, English house sparrows and feral pigeon mounts Question: Is it legal to sell or purchase Eurasian starling, English house sparrow or feral pigeon taxidermy mounts in California? I'm assuming it's legal since they are not protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and they are not native to the state. However, they do fall under the "found in the wild" terminology used here: http://law.onecle.com/california/fish/3039.html(se ction "a"). Since farm-raised game bird mounts are legal to sell http://law.onecle.com/california/fish/3039.html (section "d"), are invaders like starling, pigeon and sparrow okay as well? (Terry T.) Answer: No, these birds may not be purchased or sold in California (Fish and Game Code, sections 3039 & 3801 – 3801.6). Each of these species are found in the wild in California and the prohibition in Fish and Game Code, section 3039 against selling applies, even though there is no closed season and they may be taken without the person being required to have a hunting license.