CDFW Seeks Public Comment and Data Regarding Clear Lake Hitch

Contacts:
Kevin Thomas, CDFW North Central Region, (916) 358-2845
Kyle Orr, CDFW Communications, (916) 322-8958                         

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) seeks public comments and data related to the status of Clear Lake hitch (Lavinia exilicauda chi), a freshwater fish endemic to Clear Lake in Lake County.

Over the next year, CDFW will evaluate the status of the species and develop a recommendation to the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) on whether listing the species as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) is warranted.

The Commission received a petition to list Clear Lake hitch as a threatened species under CESA in September 2012 (Cal. Reg. Notice Register 2012, No. 41-Z, p. 1502). On March 6, 2013, the Commission considered the petition, the petition evaluation report, a recommendation prepared by CDFW and comments received at a publicly noticed meeting.

The Commission concluded the petition included sufficient scientific information to indicate that listing the species as threatened under CESA may be warranted and designated Clear Lake hitch as a candidate species pursuant to Fish and Game Code  Section 2074.2. The Commission published notice of its action on March 22, 2013 (Cal. Reg. Notice Register 2013, No 12-Z, p. 488).

The public is invited to submit relevant data or comments about Clear Lake hitch ecology, biology, life history, distribution, abundance, threats, essential habitat, management recommendations or other factors related to the status of the species.

Comments, data and other information may be submitted in writing to:

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
North Central Region
Attn: Kevin Thomas
1701 Nimbus Road
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Comments may also be submitted by email to: CLH@wildlife.ca.gov.

All comments received by 5 p.m. on June 14, 2013 will be included in a CDFW status report to the Commission that CDFW anticipates submitting on or before the due date of March 22, 2014. Following receipt of the CDFW status report, the Commission will allow a 30-day public comment period.

CDFW’s petition evaluation report for the Clear Lake hitch can be found at: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=59298.

                      

CDFW Creates First Bighorn Sheep Herd in 25 Years

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), along with volunteers from around the state, has established a new herd of federally endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep.

“This is the first reintroduction effort of a new herd of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep since 1988,” said Tom Stephenson, CDFW bighorn recovery program leader.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Historically, Sierra bighorn were abundant throughout the Sierra Nevada; however, by the 1970s, only two herds remained. Disease spread by domestic sheep and unregulated commercial hunting are believed to have caused their demise.

“Many endangered species remain on the brink of extinction with poor prospects for recovery after they receive federal protection,” said Stephenson. “Through our conservation efforts, we have a unique opportunity to reach recovery goals for an alpine specialist that is native only to California.”

During the week of March 25, 2013 10 female and four male bighorn sheep were captured from two of the largest existing herds in the Sierra Nevada and reintroduced to the vacant herd unit of Olancha Peak at the southern end of the range in Inyo County.  Six additional females were moved to two small northern herds, Convict Creek and Mount Gibbs, for augmentation of those herds.

Following this recent effort, there are now 10 herds of Sierra bighorn between Owens Lake and Mono Lake. Three additional herds are needed to meet recovery goals. The population currently numbers around 500 animals and is up considerably from a low of just over 100 animals.

A video news story is available at http://youtu.be/5KOMCxxTL6U

Note: High-resolution photos and video are available for use at ftp://ftp.dfg.ca.gov/oceo

Media Contacts:
Tom Stephenson, CDFW Wildlife Supervisor, (760) 873-4305
Andrew Hughan, CDFW Communications, (916) 322-8944

New Protections Provided for Clear Lake Hitch

Contacts: 
Kevin Thomas, CDFW North Central Region, (916) 358-2845
Kyle Orr, CDFW Communications, (916) 322-8958

The Clear Lake hitch (Lavinia exilicauda chi), which is endemic to Clear Lake in Lake County, is now a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) received a petition to list Clear Lake hitch as a threatened species under CESA in September 2012 (Cal. Reg. Notice Register 2012, No. 41-Z, p. 1502.). On March 6, 2013, the Commission considered the petition, the petition evaluation report, a recommendation prepared by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and comments received at a publicly noticed meeting. The Commission concluded that the petition included sufficient scientific information to indicate that listing the species as threatened or endangered under CESA may be warranted and designated Clear Lake hitch as a candidate species pursuant to Fish and Game Code (FGC) § 2074.2. The Commission published notice of its action on March 22, 2013 (Cal. Reg. Notice Register 2013, No 12-Z, p. 488).

CESA prohibits the take of listed or candidate species, even if that take is incidental to otherwise lawful activity, unless authorized by permit. As defined in state law, take means “hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill” (FGC § 86). Anyone who takes Clear Lake hitch without a permit may be cited for violations of CESA and may be subject to criminal prosecution.

With the Commission’s decision to proceed with candidacy for Clear Lake hitch, section 2.11 of the 2013-2014 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations is no longer valid. That regulation previously allowed take of hitch from Clear Lake and its tributaries by hand or hand-held dip net. Recreational angling for other species on Clear Lake is still allowed as are fishing contests. Anglers must avoid Clear Lake hitch while fishing.

While targeted sport fishing or take of Clear Lake hitch is prohibited, the Fish and Game Code provides CDFW the authority to permit incidental take and take associated with research activities. The department will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis, and will only authorize take under permits issued pursuant to CESA (FGC § 2080 et seq.).

Under CESA, permits may be issued relating to Clear Lake Hitch for scientific research, education or management purposes. An incidental take permit may also be obtained for projects whose non-research activities may result in take. Information regarding CESA permitting is available on the CDFW website at (www.dfg.ca.gov/habcon/cesa/).

CDFW will conduct an in-depth status review to provide the Commission with information to aid in their decision on the species listing status. The status review is scheduled to be completed by March 2014.

CDFW’s petition evaluation report for the Clear Lake Hitch can be found at: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=59298.