Could Covid-19 Improve Fishing to Come?
Tomorrow marks the third week in which beaches in San Diego began shutting down. Beach-by-beach, regulation-by-regulation, only a week and a half later, all public beaches… closed. Among others, anglers in San Diego are frustrated, having much reason to be. Fishing is a way out. It is a medium that provides a means for one to escape the craziness of the “world” around us in terms of society and to embrace the true world of nature and all of its beauty.
The frustration of fishermen across the county and even the state was evident when California Department of Fish and Wildlife decided to hold an emergency meeting. Anglers across the state seemingly jumped to the conclusion that the CDFW was meeting with the purpose of possibly shutting down fishing statewide through a means of a transfer of power in terms of regulation-setting. While this wasn’t deliberately the case, the possibility of it happening, is well, “possible”. Commission President Eric Sklar and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham wanted to make it clear that this was not the intent of the meeting.
The meeting was open to the public so everyone would have a chance to voice their opinions. Quickly, it became clear though, that the technology being utilized to host the meeting was not adequate for the myriad of users attempting to join in.
CDFW Statement
The CDFW had the following to say (quote taken from source listed below):
“We also want to make it crystal clear that today’s proposed decision was not about banning fishing statewide or locally. We are not contemplating statewide closure. The decision is to help prepare us to work with counties and tribes to make those decisions based on their requests. We are working on a tailored and surgical approach based on local needs and knowledge. We have already received some of these requests. Today’s proposed action was an effort to become more nimble and ready to react when asked by a local entity to act.”
https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2020/apr/9/audio-what-joke-california-fish-and-game-commissio/
Due to overwhelming numbers of people joining the online meetings, they will be postponed until the following week. It’s an interesting issue as many anglers (including myself) believe that recreational fishing, say, on an open beach, by yourself, is not going to spread the virus. In fact, it may improve the health of many who have been cooped up all day. It’s the reckless beach gatherings and party-type groups who have likely caused the situation which we are facing today. I encourage you all to voice your opinions (in a constructive manner) on the matter through the CDFW website by following the link. If you feel recreational fishing wouldn’t have an effect on the spread of the virus, say so, but map out your reasons and be constructive. Be sure to think before you speak or write though. There have been some very disturbing responses thus far and those will only worsen matters.
Silver-Lining
While we may be frustrated during this time, it’s important that we don’t further complicate or worsen the situation. Beaches (and local lakes) will be open again, but they may be open sooner if we show greater compliance and organized responses rather than impulse reactions.
An interesting factor that could play a huge role in sport and recreational fishing to come is the fact that while no anglers are fishing the shoreline currently (at least in San Diego), the fish are only getting bigger.
Here are some key points to ponder while we’re stuck at home:
1.) Thousands of fish that might have been caught and killed, will go on to reproduce and grow larger.
2.) The beaches were shut down in the midst of the Barred Surfperch spawning season as well as the California Halibut peak fishing season.
3.) Depending on how long this shut-down lasts, the peak/spawning seasons for California Corbina, Yellowfin Croaker, and Spotfin Croaker, will be uninterrupted by surf anglers as well as surfers and casual beach goers.
4.) Most surf species should only increase in numbers.
Fish that might have died will grow
I know it’s not the most recent of data, but back in the 1980s-90s, it was estimated that on any given year, some 40,000 plus Corbina would be caught by shore anglers across Southern California (source). It’s safe to assume that the majority of these fish were caught somewhere around May-August. In my opinion, I would also say that it’s safe to assume that currently, Yellowfin Croaker numbers are closely similar to those of the Corbina (maybe greater). This means that a large number of fish that might be caught and then possibly killed, will live on to be caught another day!
That’s not all. Many other surf species, including the Yellowfin Croaker, Spotfin, Perch, and Halibut, will all increase in population due to this pandemic.
Perch and Halibut spawn uninterrupted
Perhaps the most immediate impact of the Coronavirus on fishing is in its relation to Barred Surfperch and California Halibut. If you’ve caught Barred Surf perch recently, odds are, you’ve birthed a couple baby perch into the water. These guys (or gals I should say) are spawning right now and they have been for the past month or two. That spawn will continue for the next month or so and they’re usually on a feeding frenzy during this stretch of time!
If you regularly fish a spot that produces Barred Surfperch, you’ve likely run into “anglers” who will keep every-single fish they catch, regardless of size or if they’re pregnant. Now, most of the time these guys aren’t breaking any laws or bending regulations, but when numbers of fishermen participate in this type of behavior, it undoubtedly has an impact on species populations.
With this heavy fishing pressure being alleviated for the near-future, more perch will be born, and those hungry mothers should live for yet another cycle. With more baby perch swimming around in the shoreline, you guessed it! More Halibut food!
Halibut share a similar spawning season to perch, although, their’s is much tougher to pin point. I can’t tell you exactly when they spawn as I’ve yet to come across a pregnant or birthing Halibut. But, I can tell you, that since February up until the last time I went fishing, they’ve been biting like crazy. Last time I went out, my buddy and I nailed 6 of them. Now, Halibut are better protected in general in comparison to perch (by regulations), but for many anglers, if you catch a legal Hali, you’re likely going to keep it (not all anglers). So, for all these Halibut on feeding frenzies, they, as well as their offspring will be more plentiful.
Corbina and Croaker peak season and spawn uninterrupted
The peak seasons for California Corbina, Yellowfin Croaker, and Spotfin Croaker are as follows [respectively]. June through August, early June through September, and July through September. That being said, if this shut-down overlaps those peak seasons by even the slightest margin, the populations of these fish will be positively impacted.
Even at this time in the year, many Yellowfin Croaker and even Corbina are usually caught. Spotfin tend to come in later than Yellows and Corbina, so my guess would be that there’s a lesser impact on them in general. The truth is, I hope Corbina, Yellowfin Croaker, and Spotfin Croaker are barely affected by this pandemic. I hope this shut down doesn’t make it into these species’ peak seasons as they aren’t in dire need of a population reboot but it may come to that. If that’s the case, let’s embrace it.
More plentiful and more willing to bite
Now, I understand that fishing pressure is not the only factor that affects species populations, but it certainly plays a role. Overall, I have an inclination to believe that the populations of most surf species in San Diego will only increase during the shutdown caused by Covid-19.
Think about how these common surf species have grown so used to sharing their environment with swimmers, surfers and even us surf fishermen as we wade out into the surf. These fish will now have their waters to themselves. They’ll grow more comfortable in shallow waters. Heck, they may even lose whatever pickiness they’ve developed when it comes to weeding out sand crabs with hooks in them vs without hooks in them. The possibilities of scenarios to consider are endless. And to a very great extent, it’s exciting!
You know that feeling when you get to a spot that looks real nice? Maybe the spot is secluded. Maybe you’re the only one to fish it in the last 24 hours. You’re thinking, “this first cast… it’s gunna get bit immediately. And sure enough, it does! Well, soon enough, we’re all going to be rolling up to our favorite spots, and in some cases, you may be the first person to fish a spot in months. Those first few casts, firsts few sessions, maybe even first few weeks, or months… who knows what you’ll be pulling up!
In the end, this is all just my opinion… a cause for speculation. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting pretty dang excited thinking up all these possibilities and scenarios. Think about it! Nothing like this has really ever happened. Fishing’s never been shut down before like this (correct me if I’m wrong). Will world records be broken because of this down the line? Will we catch more fish than ever? I don’t know! But, we’ll find out soon…ish.
All I’m saying, look at this thing with some perspective and understand that there is a bright side to all of this!
Loose lines for now guys… Tight lines in the future for all!
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