Endangered Species Called Ill-Managed

Marvin Plenert, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regional director for six Western states, spoke out for a practical approach to the struggle between endangered species and development at a recent meeting of the Outdoor Writers Assn. of California at Lake Tahoe.

“We need to look at the broad area . . . and quit messing around with one species at a time,” said Plenert, who noted that he spends 60% of his time on such issues. “We’re all going to wear out. We should be looking at managing endangered species on an ecosystem basis.”

Translation: set aside protective parcels that hold several threatened or endangered species, not only one, such as the northern spotted owl or California gnatcatcher.

At the same meeting, director Boyd Gibbons said that while his California Department of Fish and Game would suffer some cuts but escape disaster in the new state budget, he still advocates tapping so-called non-consumptive users of the state’s natural resources.

Currently, 40-50% of the DFG’s $159-million budget comes from hunters and fishermen, 10-20% from excise taxes on sporting goods and 40% from environmental license plates--nothing directly from the general public, which “has benefited in all sorts of ways from the work of our wardens and biologists,” Gibbons said. “The general public has to pay.”

He noted that Missouri’s department is supported by a levy of one-eighth of 1% of the state sales tax.

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The latest El Nino Watch bulletin from the National Marine Fisheries Service looks for the yellowfin and bluefin tuna noted within an overnight run of San Diego recently to move into Southern California waters over “the next few weeks.”

Mexican waters are 5-6 degrees warmer than normal, Southern California waters 3-4 degrees.

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The Los Angeles Rod & Reel Club will conduct its 44th annual Kids’ Fishing Trip for disadvantaged, inner-city Southern California youths at San Pedro next Monday.

About 450 boys and girls from clubs and detention homes will fish from the Annie B barge in Los Angeles Harbor. Details: (818) 708-3278.

Briefly

JURISPRUDENCE--California Department of Fish and Game wardens issued 511 sportfishing citations in May--379 for fishing without a license, for which the fine is now $250 to $1,000. A license costs $23.50.

MEXICAN FISHING--Cabo San Lucas: Blue marlin activity up. Top catch was 627 pounds by Mike Staer, Bakersfield, on a private boat. Most running 250-300. Tuna counts also up. San Jose del Cabo: Tuna and dorado widespread, mingling with black and blue marlin. Michael Campbell, Laguna Hills, 242-pound black marlin, from Capt. Hugo’s panga--30 jumps in 2 hours 15 minutes. Pete Lentine, Cypress, in two days a 250-pound black marlin, 11 tuna and 6 dorado. Manzanillo: Sailfish to 110 pounds dominating catches. One 350-pound blue marlin and a 46-pound tuna. San Diego long-range: Yacht “Fathom This” with three anglers 88-95 miles south took yellowtail 55 and 46 pounds, limits on dorado, releasing 75-80. All fish under kelp. Capt. Tommy Rothery of Polaris Supreme reported seals “the worst I’ve ever seen” on a four-day trip to Benitos Island. The boat took 279 yellowtail, but it would have been three or four times that without the seals, Rothery said. Bill Lang’s American Angler, three days out with 20 anglers, took 100 bluefin tuna, topped by a 139 by Dave Tupper of Irvine. John Cox’s Zaida, 199 miles south with 29 anglers overnight, took 29 bluefin to 133 pounds, plus 15 yellowtail and 2 skipjack. Mike Lackey’s Vagabond, also overnight with 27 anglers, returned Tuesday with 135 bluefin, topped by a 71 1/2 by Aron Bretton of Huntington Beach.

FRESHWATER FISHING--Jeff Boghosian, who guides on the Kings River and other streams in the southern Western Sierra, will be the South Bay Fly Fishers’ speaker at their monthly meeting tonight, 7:30, at the Westchester Townhouse, 8501 Emerson Ave. . . . Eastern Sierra fly fishing guide Fred Rowe is still in business despite closing his Sierra Bright Dot store in Mammoth Lakes. He may be contacted for information or guide service at (619) 934-5514. . . . The marina at Silverwood Lake has been reopened under Volume Services, which has similar concessions at Lakes Perris and Skinner. Boat rentals are $19 for two hours to $44 all day, hours 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Details: (714) 389-2320.

SALTWATER FISHING--Surf casting instructor Rod Tochihara will hold a seminar and clinic Saturday, 1-3 p.m., at the East Fork Fly Fishing Store in Irvine. Fee: $50. Details: (714) 724-8840. Reservations required.

WHITEWATER RAFTING--Adventure Connection is offering a half-price fare for children on this weekend’s two-day family trip down the South Fork of the American River, which also includes hiking, gold-panning and historical tours. Details: (800) 556-6060.

GUNS--After Oct. 1, AB 618 will require buyers of handguns and other concealable firearms to have a firearm safety certificate. One way to get one is to take a 10-hour course Saturday at Mike Raahauge’s Pheasant Hunting Club in Norco. Fee: $30. Details: (800) 773-HUNT.