At its recent meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from the April meeting held in Fresno with an option for the public to join via Zoom.

The Commission adopted annual regulations for waterfowl, including continuation of special hunting weekends for youth and veterans only.

The Commission also adopted annual big game hunting regulations for bighorn sheep and elk, including a new Tehachapi Rocky Mountain Elk Hunt Zone.

Commission members received a summary of MPA Day: Management Review Forum hosted on March 15, 2023. The well-attended event brought numerous voices and recommendations on next steps in considering results from the first Decadal Management Review Report for the statewide network of marine protected areas.

Also, the members authorized an Experimental Fishing Permit to test the commercial use of Puget Buoy’s timed-release ropeless pop-up gear system in the California Dungeness crab fishery.

The Commission adopted amendments to regulations for commercial and recreational take of California spiny lobsters, and recreational hoop net requirements for take of crustaceans.

The full commission was present or participating online during the meeting.

The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for May 17, 2023, via teleconference.

The California Fish and Game Commission was one of the first wildlife conservation agencies in the United States, predating even the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. There is often confusion about the distinction between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Commission. In the most basic terms, CDFW implements and enforces the regulations set by the Commission, as well as provides biological data and expertise to inform the Commission’s decision-making process.