KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — The Lake County Women’s Civic Club is getting ready to kick off its 2025-26 season.

The new season will begin on Friday, Sept. 5.

The guest speaker will be John Nowell, director of the Konocti Fire Safety Council, who will discuss fire safety.

Every first Friday of the month at 11:30 a.m., between 40 and 50 members meet for lunch at Riviera Hills Country Club Restaurant for a delicious lunch and an informative speaker.  This 

If you are looking for a way to give back to your community, mixing it up with this fun loving, energetic, creative, welcoming group of gals might be just the answer.

If you are interested in being invited to lunch, a reservation would be necessary.  

If you wished to join us this month, please RSVP by Sept. 1 by calling President Cindy Sobel at 909-472-7015.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — In light of several recent disturbing, brazen and horrific attacks on women in our county, former Lake County Supervisor Rob Brown is donating and distributing canisters of pepper spray to local women.

The distribution will take place at various places in the county over the next two weeks.

"As a father and grandfather, I feel it has become necessary to help provide some extra level of protection for our local women,” said Brown. “I am offering, at no cost to them, a canister of pepper spray to carry while jogging, walking to their car or any other scenario when they may find themselves in need of some personal protection. Fighting off an attacker is not a situation that I hope anyone finds themselves in, but maybe the use of pepper spray will give them a valuable extra few seconds needed to escape."

With the generosity of Mark Borghesani and Kelseyville Lumber, Brown was able to purchase over 600 pepper spray canisters at cost and will be distributing them throughout the county.

Any woman over 18 (pursuant to California Law) who would like to have a canister can contact Rob Brown at 707-349-2628 and he will make certain that one is provided.

"We as a community have an obligation to protect our fellow community members and to step up to try and help prevent attacks similar to those that have occurred recently in our county,” Brown said.

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif. — Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
 ‌‌‌ ‌
Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
 ‌‌‌ ‌
The‌‌ ‌‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌Traffic‌‌ ‌‌Operations‌‌ ‌‌Office‌‌ ‌‌has‌‌ ‌‌reviewed‌‌ ‌‌each‌‌ ‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌determined‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌individual‌‌ ‌‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌delays‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌expected‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌less‌‌ ‌‌than‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌statewide‌‌ ‌‌policy‌‌ ‌‌maximum‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌30‌‌ ‌‌minutes‌‌ ‌‌unless‌‌ ‌‌‌noted‌‌ ‌‌otherwise. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

Caltrans will suspend most work on Northern California highways from Friday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day Weekend. 

However, in the case of unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans crews to respond to emergency situations.

For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌(1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 29

Route 29 (23.6/24.9) – Road work from east of Diener Drive to west of DNA Ridge Rock will occur on Monday, September 1. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C29OA

Route 29 (24.9/26.2) – Paving work will occur west of Lower Lake near DNA Ridge Rock on Tuesday, September 2. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C29OA

Route 29 (26.2/27.8) – Road work west of Lower Lake near Jct Route 281 will occur on Wednesday, September 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C29OA

Route 29 (32.3/33) – Road work will occur from Bottle Rock Road to Cole Creek Road on Thursday and Friday, September 4-5. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C29OA

Highway 175

Route 175 (.1/1.5) – Paving work east of the Lake County line continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C175EA

Route 175 (7.8/8.1) – Electrical work from east of Dixon Drive to Jct Route 29 will conclude on Thursday, August 28. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C175EA

MENDOCINO COUNTY 

Highway 1

Route 1 (6.5/6.7) – Road work north of Anchor Bay near Gypsy Flat Road will conclude on Friday, August 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1SA

Route 1 (9.3/9.5) – Road work south of Iversen Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1SA

Route 1 (31.1/31.6) – Bridge work at the Elk Creek Bridge 10-120 continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1WA

Route 1 (42.9/44.9) – Paving work from south of Pacific Reefs Road to north of Albion Little River Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C1EB

Route 1 (51.4/52.1) – Bridge work north of Mendocino at the Jack Peters Creek Bridge 01-43484 from Lansing Street to south of Road 500D. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C1VA

Route 1 (61.2/61.7) – Caltrans has granted an encroachment permit for the Paul Bunyan Days Labor Day Parade in Fort Bragg from Madrone Street to Fir Street on Monday, September 1. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P1BA

Route 1 (69.6/71.2) – Guardrail work will occur from the Ten Mile Bridge 10-027 to Abalobadiah Creek on Wednesday, September 3. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#M1FA

Route 1 (75.9/76.2) – Emergency work south of Westport from the Blues Beach Trailhead to the Overlook will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 30-minute delays. LC#C1TA

Route 1 (82/82.2) – Culvert work at the Portal Rock Vista Point will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C1CB

Highway 20 

Route 20 (2.2/8.1) – Mowing work at various locations east of Fort Bragg from Gravel Pit Road to Road 408 will occur on Thursday, September 4. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays. LC#X20AA

Route 20 (14.7/15.2) – Culvert work near Three Chop Road continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C20RA

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (20.7) – Bridge work south of Ukiah at the Robinson Overcrossing 10-86 will continue. Surface street closures to the bridge will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and motorists should use an alternative route. LC#C101YB

U.S. 101 (20.9/21.5) – Bridge work from the Route 253/101 Separation 10-186 to the Robinson Creek Bridge 10-5 will occur on Thursday, August 28. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101YB

U.S. 101 (30.8) – Bridge work at the Route 101/20 Separation 10-205 will conclude on Thursday, August 28. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101YB

U.S. 101 (41/43.3) – Road work from Ridgewood Summit to north of the Willits Water Treatment Plant continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C101DA

U.S. 101 (55.4/62) – Paving work from north of the Irvine Rest Area to north of Jct Route 162 continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101BC

U.S. 101 (61.9/64.9) – Paving work north of the Long Valley Creek Bridge 10-98 will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and motorists should expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101BC

U.S. 101 (72.1/72.7) – Emergency work north of Laytonville at Woodruff Drive continues. Lane closures will be in effect and motorists should anticipate up to 15-minute delays. LC#T101GA 

U.S. 101 (86.5/87.5) – Emergency work south of Leggett. Lane closures will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#T101GA

Highway 128

Route 128 (29.5) – Utility work in Boonville at Jct Route 253 will conclude on Friday, August 29. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P128BA

Highway 162 

Route 162 (7.9/8.4) – Bridge work at the Eel River Bridge 10-236 continues. Lane closures will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C162HA

Route 162 (10/11.5) – Emergency work at the Rodeo Creek Bridge 10-237 continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C162IA

Highway 175 

Route 175 (1.2/2) – Tree work will occur in Hopland from Harrison Street to Wooldridge Ranch Road on Tuesday, September 2. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P175BA

Highway 253 

Route 253 (14.2/15) – Culvert work near Robinson Creek Road will occur on Tuesday, September 2. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate up to 10-minute delays. LC#C253EA

DEL NORTE COUNTY 

Highway 101  

U.S. 101 (12.2/15.5) – Emergency work is scheduled between Wilson Creek Bluff and Rudisill Road weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Expect up to 15-minute delays. LC#C101DD

U.S. 101 (35.8/36.5) – The Dr. Fine Bridge Replacement Project is scheduled between the Smith River Overflow Bridge and S. Fred D. Haight Dr. weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Travelers should expect 10-minute delays. LC#C101WA

U.S. 199 (8.1/11.0) – Emergency work is scheduled between the Scenic Turnout and Hardscrabble Creek Bridge 1-40 weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expect up to 15-minute delays. LC#C199DA

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

Route 36 (4.4/6.1) – ​ Bridge work is scheduled near Carlotta between Fisher Rd and J & G Lawn & Garden weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Expect up to 15-minute delays. LC#C36IA

Route 36 (15.7/16.3) – Slide response west of Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park will continue. Delays of up to 2 hours are possible on weekdays. Check "Caltrans District 1" social media and QuickMap for the latest information. LC#T36HA

Route 36 (19.6) – Emergency work west of Maple Grove will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Travelers should expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C36JA

Route 36 (25.3/34.5) – Bridge work is scheduled between Little Larabee Creek Bridge and Butte Creek Bridge 4-116. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays. LC#C36UA

Route 36 (28.0/33.5) – Paving work is scheduled between the turnout at postmile 28 and McClellan Mountain Summit weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Expect up to 15-minute delays. LC#C36BA

Highway 96
 
Route 96 (0.8/3.2) – Utility work is scheduled between Trinity Valley Elementary School and Pipeline Overcrossing on Friday, August 29, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C96BA

Route 96 (3.2/4.7) – Utility work is scheduled near the Pipeline Overcrossing on Friday, August 29, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C96BA

Route 96 (8.3/9.6) – Utility work is scheduled between the Tish Tang Sidehill Viaduct and Cal Pak Road from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C96BA

Route 96 (29.9/41.5) – Permit work is scheduled between Slate Creek Road and Whitmore Creek River Access weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#P96AA

Highway 101

U.S. 101 (34.8/35.1) – Drainage work is scheduled near Weott at the Federation Grove Separation on Friday, August 29, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101DE

U.S. 101 (43.2/43.3) – Drainage work is scheduled near the Barkdull Road interchange north of Redcrest. Lane closures will be in effect, and the southbound on-ramp and northbound off-ramp at Barkdull Road will be fully closed. Motorists should use alternate ramps. LC#C101DE

U.S. 101 (53.8) – Utility work is scheduled at Eel River Bridge 4-16L. Expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101YC

U.S. 101 (74.7/76.1) – Construction north of the Herrick interchange will continue. Expect slowdowns due to lane and periodic driveway closures. LC#C101CC

U.S. 101 (76.3/76.7) – A drainage inspection is scheduled between W Harris Street and W Henderson Street in Eureka on Tuesday, September 2, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Expect lane closures and minor slowdowns. LC#M101PA

U.S. 101 (77.3/77.4) – Permit work is scheduled for survey activities in Eureka between Wabash Ave and 15th Street. Work will take place nightly on weeknights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Expect lane closures and minor slowdowns. LC#P101HA

U.S. 101 (82.7) – Construction at Indianola Cutoff and Bracut will continue. Expect lane closures and possible slowdowns. LC#C101FD

U.S. 101 (106.1/108.2) – Drainage work is scheduled between Patricks Point Drive and Big Lagoon Park Road weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. Expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101TA

U.S. 101 (125.5/131.8) – Paving and striping operations are scheduled between Prairie Creek Fish Hatchery and the Caltrans maintenance weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C101PD

U.S. 101 (126.1/128.2) – Utility work is scheduled between the South Prairie Creek Undercrossing and Boyes Creek Bridge weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lane closures will be in effect. Expect minor slowdowns. LC#C101XC

Highway 169

Route 169 (25.8/31.5) – Drainage work is scheduled east of Chqui Creek to Refuse Disposal Road weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C169FA

Highway 200

Route 200 (0.1/2.7) – Nighttime utility work is scheduled between Central Ave and the Route 200/299 separation weekdays from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C200AA

Highway 254 

Route 254 (3.1/4) – Emergency work is scheduled near Phillipsville weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Expect up to 5-minute delays. LC#C254JA

Route 254 (18.8) – Slide removal work is ongoing just north of Weott. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should expect 5-minute delays. LC#C254AA

Highway 299 

Route 299 (1.8) – Nighttime utility work is scheduled near the Route 200/North Bank Rd separation weeknights 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The westbound off-ramp will be fully closed. Use an alternate ramp. LC#C299UA

Route 299 (24.9/25.9) – Emergency work is scheduled near Chezem Road weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C299GA

Route 299 (30.6/33.2) – Permit work is scheduled between Cedar Creek Road and the East Fork Willow Creek Bridge. Nighttime work will take place weeknights from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#P299BA

Route 299 (32.9/33.1) – Construction is scheduled near the East Fork Willow Creek Bridge weekdays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect up to 10-minute delays. LC#C299LA

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Labor Day is traditionally a day to celebrate working men and women across the country.

Because large numbers of Lake County workers feel their rights being threatened by the current regime in Washington, Indivisible Lake County will be joining with Lake County Democrats to sponsor a rally along Highway 29 in Middletown on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1.
 
Indivisible Lake County is one of 1,500 local Indivisible chapters across the county. It is a non-partisan, grass roots organization formed to resist the authoritarian trends and threats to democracy emanating from the current administration in Washington.
 
The venue of the protest is designed to give the out-of-county crowd heading home from the Labor Day weekend something to talk about: Lake County's bold, courageous, community-powered resistance to authoritarianism.  Indivisible volunteers in yellow vests will be there to assure that this will be a peaceful, respectful protest event.
 
Those wishing to participate should meet at Middletown Square Park, 21249 Washington St. (between Highway 29 and Washington Street) in Middletown at 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 1.

Stop by the Indivisible Lake County table for refreshments and discussion. Bring a pro-labor or anti-Trump sign if you are so inclined.

Toastmasters International is the leading nonprofit dedicated to effective oral communication and leadership development.

In the last 100 years there have been four million members. 

Members meet to deliver and evaluate prepared and impromptu speeches in an effort to improve as speakers and leaders. 

Mid-Day Club generally meets the first and third Saturdays and the second and fourth Tuesdays.

Guests are always welcome.

Mid-Day Toastmasters meets for one hour on:

• Saturdays, Sept. 6, and Sept. 20, from 7 to 8 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time and Mountain Standard Time.

• Tuesdays, Sept. 9, and Sept. 23, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time and Mountain Standard Time.

The meetings will stream at https://tinyurl.com/zoomwithmidday and https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9239283290. 

They have fun educational meetings. An agenda for role signup is on the club web page https://4139.toastmastersclubs.org. 

For more information contact Jim Samuel, VPPR, 855-402-8255, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or see the club web page at https://4139.toastmastersclubs.org or Toastmasters.org.

The California Fish and Game Commission has approved the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, a living document that aims to conserve western Joshua trees pressured by habitat loss and a warming climate.  

Other matters acted on by the commission at its Aug. 13 to 14 meeting include designating Quino checkerspot butterfly as a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act, or CESA, and adopting emergency regulations to reopen recreational rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod fisheries north of Point Conception. 

Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan 

The 2023 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act requires the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, to develop the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan in collaboration with the commission, other government agencies, California Native American tribes and the public.  

The act also calls for CDFW to include tribal co-management principles, provide for the relocation of western Joshua trees to tribal lands upon request, and incorporate traditional ecological knowledge.  

“The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act is the first state law for an iconic species that expressly directs CDFW to create a conservation plan that includes co-management with California Native American tribes,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “I appreciate this part of the act as being powerful — CDFW welcomes this.” 

The final, approved plan will be available on the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan website in coming weeks. Information can be found online about recent revisions to Western Joshua Tree Relocation Guidelines and Protocols, as well as western Joshua tree conservation.    

“The conservation plan is a living document, which was reaffirmed today with the most recent updates to the permitting and relocation guidelines,” said Commission President Erika Zavaleta. “Holistically, we have to keep improving the plan, use its flexibility to solve problems around competing interests and implement lessons as they arise, with the broad goal of conserving western Joshua tree while respecting and supporting the needs of our tribal partners and desert communities.” 

Quino checkerspot butterfly 

The Quino checkerspot butterfly was designated by the commission as a candidate for CESA listing. The species now proceeds to the status review stage of the CESA process and is protected during that time.  

Quino checkerspot butterflies have been extirpated from 75% of their historic range in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties due to threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, pollution, agriculture and climate change. 

White sturgeon 

The commission adopted amendments to regulations for the recreational take of CESA candidate white sturgeon, as well as changes to reporting requirements.  

Catch-and-release fishing for white sturgeon will continue to be available for anglers as previously established by emergency regulations that were set to expire in September 2025. 

The adopted amendments also change the sturgeon fishing report card from a calendar-year-based season (Jan. 1 through Dec. 31) to align with the sturgeon fishing season that runs from Oct. 1 through June 30. 

Anglers will be able to get a sturgeon report card at no fee for the Oct. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, season to help accommodate this change. Sturgeon report cards will be $7.50 starting with the 2026-27 season.  

When submitting the proposed new regulations to the Commission, CDFW Fisheries Branch Chief Jay Rowan said, “The best available science suggests that non-lethal take via a catch-and-release fishery will not harm the long-term viability of white sturgeon in California.” 

Recent results from white sturgeon monitoring surveys by CDFW suggest the white sturgeon population has continued to decline. Reasons for the population decline include mortality from harmful algal blooms and poor river and Delta conditions. 

Groundfish 

The commission adopted emergency regulations to reopen recreational rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod fisheries to all depths north of Point Conception through the end of the calendar year.

These emergency regulations, which also include a new sub-bag limit for canary rockfish, are expected to take effect in the next few weeks. 

Market squid  

The commission approved proposed amendments to the Market Squid Fishery Management Plan, or MSFMP.  

The MSFMP was originally drafted over the course of five years and published in March 2005. In 2023, CDFW initiated a review process for the market squid fishery and convened a Squid Fishery Advisory Committee. 

The committee was charged with reviewing the fishery and advising CDFW on potential changes to improve California market squid fishery management. Many of the recommended changes are now amendments to the original MSFMP.  

In a separate action, the commission adopted regulatory amendments for the commercial take of market squid that implement new provisions of the revised MSFMP.   

Additional marine topics  

The commission adopted a 90-day extension of emergency regulations related to the commercial take of coonstripe shrimp.  

The commission adopted regulatory amendments for recreational crab fishing gear. This includes a new commercial passenger fishing vessel, or CPFV, trap validation that originated from a public request that will no longer require CPFV customers to purchase individual trap validations when fishing from CPFVs.

The amendments also update the surface gear requirements for hoop nets (used north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County) to minimize the risk of whale entanglements.   

Meeting participation and next meeting 

Commission President Erika Zavaleta and commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin and Eric Sklar were in attendance for both days of the August commission meeting held in Sacramento. Vice President Samantha Murray and Commissioner Darius Anderson were absent. 

The complete agenda for the meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the commission website. Archived video of past commission meetings is available online. The next meeting of the commission is scheduled for Oct. 8 to 9 in Sacramento. 

Participants are encouraged to attend in person, with options available for Zoom or phone; for the agenda and more information visit the commission website. 

The commission authorized staff to notify the public of potential regulation changes related to: 

• Bull kelp harvest restrictions. A discussion and adoption hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8-9 on temporary commercial bull kelp harvest restrictions along the north coast and closure of lease-only administrative kelp beds.
• Recreational red abalone closure. A discussion hearing is scheduled for Oct. 9 to 10 and an adoption hearing for Dec. 11 to 12 on a 10-year extension of the red abalone recreational fishery closure.
• Invasive mussels and green crab restricted species listing. An adoption hearing for a regular rulemaking is scheduled for Oct. 8 to 9 to add the invasive, non-native golden mussel, pond mussel and axe-head mussel (among others), as well as green crab to the list of live animals restricted from importation, transportation and possession.