At its February meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources.

The commission readopted emergency regulation prohibiting the use of hydraulic pumps to take clams, sand crabs and shrimp.

It adopted regulations to protect bull kelp that include a prohibition of commercial harvest in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, an annual limit of 8,000 pounds in Humboldt and Del Norte counties and other measures to protect kelp.

The commission also adopted regulations to protect California’s iconic grunion populations by implementing a bag limit of 30 fish per person and extending the closed season by an additional month to include the month of June.

Commissioners voted unanimously to list San Bernardino kangaroo rat as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act, or CESA.

The decision to determine whether or not listing southern California steelhead as endangered under CESA may be warranted was continued.

The commission continued the decision to ratify findings for the decision to list northern California summer steelhead as endangered under CESA.

Commissioners determined that listing Lime Ridge eriastrum as endangered under CESA may be warranted. This commences a one-year status review to be completed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, and Lime Ridge eriastrum is protected as a candidate species during that time.

The commission voted unanimously to list Shasta snow-wreath as threatened under CESA.

In other business, the commission adopted amendments to big game regulations to include preference points reinstatement and tag refunds due to public land closures. More information on how to apply for reinstatement will be available at CDFW’s licensing website.

The commission received a petition from the Humane Society of the United States to eliminate open hunting season for black bear until CDFW updates its bear management plan including a census of the California black bear population. The commission referred the petition to CDFW.

The full commission was present. At the meeting, the commission elected Commissioner Samantha Murray as president, replacing outgoing President Peter Silva who is stepping down from the Commission effective Friday, Feb. 18.

The commission elected Commissioner Erika Zavaleta as vice president, a position previously held by President Murray.

They also assigned chairs for three committees. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin was selected to continue as chair of the Tribal Committee. President Murray and Commissioner Erik Sklar will continue as co-chairs of the Marine Resources Committee. Vice President Erika Zavaleta will continue to serve on the Wildlife Resources Committee as chair.

The agenda for this meeting along with supporting information is available on the commission website. An archived audio file will be available in the coming days.

The next meeting of the full commission is scheduled for April 20 to 21, 2022. See the commission website for details.