Trout plants for Southern California during the week beginning Nov. 23

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Nov. 23 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes and Lincoln Park Lake.

ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake and Laguna Lake.

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Perris Lake and Skinner Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Prado Park Lake and Silverwood Lake. 

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Park Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake.  

Photo: Unidentified anglers display their catch at Beaver Cove on Crowley Lake. Credit: Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times

Video: Fried fish that still breathes -- a delicacy or downright distasteful?

I'm a longtime angler who occasionally kills a fish for dinner, but I would not be able to stomach eating a fish in the manner portrayed by Chinese diners in the accompanying video, which has been a popular draw on YouTube.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, as expected, has spoken out against the practice of eating fish from a plate while the fish is still alive and breathing -- which is increasingly common in some parts of the world.

A PETA spokesman called it "disgusting" and added:  "Every decent person should be shocked when anyone mocks or abuses a helpless dying animal."

It's just a carp, some might say. But frying the fish on its side while keeping it alive and breathing when it's placed on the plate seems cruel, and the giddiness of the diners makes it that much more unappetizing. Your thoughts?

-- Pete Thomas

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Is scientist taking great white shark research too far?

Were you able to watch the National Geographic special, "White Shark Expedition," on Monday night -- and if so, what do you think of the methods utilized by researcher Michael Domeier at remote Guadalupe Island off Baja California?

If you live in the Bay Area, you might also have viewed an ABC News program that was spawned by an incident involving Domeier's team using the same methods at the Farallon Islands off San Francisco. The program featured experts who were critical of the methods, which involve using a team of anglers and a large baited hook attached to a line with buoys.

(There's also a film crew, hence the National Geographic special and related episodes to air next summer.)

The hooked shark struggles until it's completely worn out. It's then lifted onto a platform, where a sophisticated tracking tag is bolted into its dorsal fin. A large hose is used to flush water through the shark's gills, so it can breathe throughout a process that can take 20 minutes.

The sharks usually are hooked in the corner of the mouth -- because of the 24-inch circle hook's design --but in at least one case at the Farallon Islands a shark had to be set free with part of the hook lodged deep in its throat.

The specialized tags have a life span of up to six years, providing real-time data and pinpointing precise locations of migrating sharks. They're important, Domeier says, for researchers seeking a clearer picture of these mysterious predators' life history.

Angler's capture of 4,600-pound great white shark part of research effort off Baja

"Expedition Great White" airs tonight at 9 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel, and if the accompanying photo is an indication, the footage ought to be spectacular.

The location is Guadalupe Island, 160 miles west of Baja California, a truly spectacular destination and one of the world's largest seasonal gathering places for adult great white sharks. That's where researcher Michael Domeier has been studying the apex predators, and using satellite tags to determine their migration patterns and other habits.

And it's where TV fishing personality Chris Fischer got to play the role of angler -- and literally come face to face with a 4,600-pound white shark -- during a monumental capture aboard his 126-foot mothership, named Ocean.

"Like in the movie 'Jaws,' the first  time we saw a shark come in and eat the bait and then take off and drag the buoys under and across the water it was a life-changing moment as an angler," Fischer said. "The experience of capturing and releasing giant great white sharks is nothing similar to an angling experience of capturing large pelagic fish. There's a sense of  history, a sense of awe, humility and humbleness."

Domeier is a legitimate researcher, but some might question the methods: hooking and hoisting incredibly large sharks from the water -- even if for only brief periods and if great care is utilized -- for tagging, measuring and DNA sampling.

Domeier, however, assures that great care is utilized and that "this is a show about real science ... not science created for TV, which is so often the case."

Tonight's episode is part of a longer series that will air next summer and undoubtedly will shed significant light on the lifestyle of one of the world's most notorious and mysterious predators.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Crew member Jody Whitworth lifts the snout of a great white shark as Capt. Brett McBride removes hydration hose that keeps the predator alive while it's on deck. Credit: National Geographic Channel / Chris Ross

Trout plants for Southern California during the week beginning Nov. 16

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Nov. 16 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Castaic Lake, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Pyramid Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir.  

RIVERSIDE: Cahuilla Park Lake, Diamond Valley Reservoir and Rancho Jurupa Park Pond.

SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga Guasti Park Lake, Glen Helen Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake and Yucaipa Lake.  

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.

SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake.

VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake and Rancho Simi Park Lake.

IMPERIAL: Sunbeam Lake and Weist Lake.

Photo: Rainbow trout being prepared for pan frying. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Panel adopts fishing closure plan that draws ire of Southern California anglers

News item: After months of tireless work by various stakeholder groups in a Marine Life Protection Act process that included periods of review and often heated public input and debate, a plan to establish a network of no-take marine reserves off Southern California has been chosen. A state-appointed panel on Tuesday picked the "preferred alternative," which essentially is a compromise between proposals put forth by conservationists and fishing interests.

Reaction: The panel was not going to please both sides and, as expected, it voted on a plan that angered fishing interests the most. They wanted a less severe network of reserves. Steve Fukuto, president of the United Anglers of Southern California, predicts the closures in such areas as portions of Santa Catalina Island, La Jolla, Swami's Reef and Malibu "will have a devastating effect on California's economy and the public's right to access the state's coastal waters."

Conservation groups are satisfied to a degree but wanted more extensive closures. Notably, they wanted Rocky Point off the Palos Verdes Peninsula to become a no-take marine reserve. An Ocean Conservancy spokesman called Tuesday's decision "a step in the right direction," but added, "There is still room for improvement,"clearly in reference to Rocky Point, which will remain open to fishing.

Southern California fishing closure issue heated to the bitter end

 Sometime this afternoon or evening a state blue-ribbon panel will vote on how severely to restrict fishing off Southern California, and earlier today, as if to illustrate how contentious the issue is, a brief shoving match ensued, during a hearing near LAX, between men on the fishing and environmentalist sides of the issue.

Fishing interests, naturally, are arguing to keep the extent of the no-take closure areas to a minimum, and to protect their livelihoods. Those on the extreme environmental side favor extensive protection they believe will allow the comeback of embattled fisheries and habitat.

Whatever the panel decides on must be approved by the California Fish and Game Commission. That process will take place next month.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Reed Smolan, taking a break from crew duties aboard the Southern Cal, unhooks an 18-inch calico bass  caught off Palos Verdes. Credit: Pete Thomas/Los Angeles Times

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Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Nov. 9

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout or channel catfish throughout the week of Nov. 9 by the Department of Fish and Game:

Trout:

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake and Lincoln Park Lake.

ORANGE: Laguna Lake.

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Perris Lake and Rancho Jurupa Park Pond.

SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga-Guasti Park Lake, Prado Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake and Silverwood Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Park Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake. 

INYO: Pleasant Valley Reservoir.

Catfish:

LOS ANGELES: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir.

Photo credit: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

Monterey Bay Aquarium tags, releases its great white shark

A female great white shark that had lived in the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Outer Bay exhibit since August was tagged and released today.

The young predator, which was captured off Malibu, was set free offshore beyond the southern edge of Monterey Bay. She measured 5 feet, 5 inches, and weighed 100 pounds.

It's the fifth white shark successfully released after a stay at the facility, where the sharks are intended to provide visitors with a better understanding of the apex predators and inspire support for shark conservation.

She was released because she had begun to exhibit aggressive behavior toward other sharks in the 1-million-gallon tank.

"I’ve always said that these animals will tell us when it’s time to put them back to the ocean. Now was clearly the time,” said Randy Hamilton, vice president of husbandry for the aquarium. “Her health is excellent, and we learned a lot while she was with us. Based on past experience, we have every expectation that she’ll do well after release.”

Tracking tags will enable scientists to monitor the shark's movements and habits. Previously, two of the released sharks traveled beyond Baja California's tip. The other two ventured to the Santa Barbara area.

The aquarium, with its research partners, also is part of a Juvenile White Shark Program, which involves tagging and tracking of sharks that utilize California and Mexico waters as nurseries. Real-time data and published research can be found on the Tagging of Pacific Predators website.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Great white shark is released after two months of captivity in Monterey Bay Aquarium. Credit: © Monterey Bay Aquarium/Randy Wilder

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Nov. 2

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout or channel catfish throughout the week of Nov. 2 by the Department of Fish and Game:

Trout:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Elizabeth Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Pyramid Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir. 

ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake and Huntington Park Lake.

RIVERSIDE: Cahuilla Park Lake and Rancho Jurupa Park Pond.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Glen Helen Park Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake and Yucaipa Lake. 

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.

INYO: Lone Pine Creek and Owens River Section 2.

Catfish:

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, Hansen Lake, Hollenbeck Lake and Lincoln Park Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake.

Photo: Jeff Winter of Van Nuys fishes for trout in hopes of dinner as the sun sets over Lower Pine Creek Lake. Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Oct. 26

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout or channel catfish throughout the week of Oct. 26 by the Department of Fish and Game:

Trout:

SAN BERNARDINO: Silverwood Lake

INYO: Lone Pine Creek and Owens River (below Tinnemaha)

Catfish:

ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake, Laguna Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Lake, Tri-City Park Lake and Yorba Regional Park Lake

Photo: Trout on a stringer. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

MLPA task force delays vote on no-take marine reserves off Southern California

A state task force failed to reach consensus Thursday on a network of marine reserves and conservation zones to be established off Southern California and will reconvene Nov. 10 in the Los Angeles area to produce a version it hopes will meet conservation goals without severe economic impact.

Three proposals were up for consideration as part of the Marine Life Protection Act process, which ultimately will place no-take reserves and less-restrictive conservation zones along the California coast to protect fisheries and habitat.

That the so-called Blue Ribbon Task Force could not reach consensus, after a marathon session, shows how delicate and contentious this issue is. It did not accept any single map proposal offered by stakeholder groups but plucked parts of each and tweaked here and there and departed with a tentative map that will be scientifically evaluated before the next meeting.

It does not appear as though Rocky Point will be made into a marine reserve, as fishing interests had feared. Instead the Palos Verdes Peninsula reserve might be placed a bit more to the south off Point Vicente.

Neither will fishing closures at Santa Catalina Island be as extreme as one proposal had offered, but there will be closures at Catalina, deemed critical by conservationists. Vast parcels off the La Jolla and Laguna Beach areas also will become off-limits to fishing. 

Since nothing is decided, though, it's premature to speculate as to what the final product will look like. The tentative map is expected to be posted on the Department of Fish and Game's website next week.

Whatever proposal the task force chooses must be approved by the California Fish and Game Commission.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: An angler fishes off Malibu in this 2008 file photo. Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times .

Sea Shepherd unveils futuristic vessel as weapon against Japanese whaling

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society held a fundraiser in Los Angeles on Saturday and unveiled the Ady Gil: a sleek and speedy trimaran that is expected to bolster the group's effort against Japanese whalers in the Southern Ocean below Australia.

Formerly named Earthrace, the vessel is powered by biodiesel and can reach speeds of 50 knots and deflect harpoons. It was renamed to reflect its benefactor, Ady Gil, who helped acquire the futuristic-looking boat.

Sea Shepherd will launch its sixth campaign against the Japanese whalers in December from Australia, using the flagship Steve Irwin and the Ady Gil to disrupt efforts by whalers to kill and process minke and fin whales. 

It would be interesting to see the expressions on the faces of the whalers when they first glimpse the Ady Gil.

Japan hunts the whales annually in the Antarctic region using a research loophole in the wording of an international moratorium on whaling.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Earthrace, now named Ady Gil, will be used during Sea Shepherd's upcoming campaign against Japan's annual whaling effort. Credit: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Oct. 19

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Oct. 19 by the California Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, and Elizabeth and Pyramid lakes.  

RIVERSIDE: Hemet and Perris lakes.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear and Gregory lakes.  

INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Owens River Section 2 and Pleasant Valley Reservoir.

Photo credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

MLPA process coming to a head in Southern California; anglers hope for the best

Anglers on Sunday will stage a "Yes on 2!" rally at Dana Wharf Sportfishing in support of one of three proposals being considered by the Blue Ribbon Task Force as part of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. The BRTF will select its preferred alternative -- either of the three plans or an integrated version -- during a meeting next week at the Hilton Hotel in Long Beach.

(Public comments will be accepted from 1:30-4:30 p.m. and from 7-10 p.m. Wednesday, and the BRTF will choose its alternative Thursday.)

Whichever proposal is selected and ultimately approved by the California Fish and Game Commission, it will establish a network of state marine reserves along the Southern California coast and at the Channel Islands to help conserve fisheries and habitat. SMRs will be off limits to fishing and other types of consumptive activities.

The Marine Life Protection Act, passed by the California Legislature in 1999, requires the state to reevaluate and redesign California's system of marine protected areas, or reserves. The process is already complete in the North-Central and Central Coast regions.

In the South Coast region, from Point Conception to the U.S.-Mexico border, proposal No. 2 is favored by anglers because it's not as extreme when it comes to SMRs.

"We're not out here saying 'no' to conservation -- we're saying yes to a plan that achieves the MLPA's mandated conservation goals while minimizing the economic and social impact on Southern Californians," said Steven Fakuto, president of the United Anglers of Southern California, which was involved in the process as a stakeholder. "Workgroup 2's plan is still going to hurt, but we can live with the fact that it offers the best level of conservation while striving not to severely restrict recreational fishing."

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Oct. 12

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Oct. 12 by the Department of Fish and Game:

SAN BERNARDINO: Mojave Narrow Regional Park Lake and Silverwood Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, North Lake, Lone Pine Creek and Owens River (below Tinnemaha).

MONO: Convict Creek, Lee Vining Creek, Mary Lake, Rock Creek (Section II), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes (Mammoth) and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper).

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

Sea Shepherd's frustrated Capt. Paul Watson lashes out at Australia

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's planned mission this winter against the Japanese whaling effort has hit a snag because Capt. Paul Watson and his first officer are experiencing visa issues and so far are not being allowed into Australia.

Outposts reported on this Monday. Australia is the strategic point of departure for Sea Shepherd, which annually hunts and harasses the Japanese harpoon and factory vessels as their crews seek to kill minke whales in the Antarctic region during its summer.

Watson claims politics are behind the stringent visa requirements he's being asked to comply with and on Tuesday posted a letter on the Sea Shepherd website blasting Australia's government for its stance on whaling and for trying to "sabotage" the Sea Shepherd campaign.

Here's the controversial captain's letter:

By Captain Paul Watson

Way back in October 2007, I had urged thousands of Australians to vote for Kevin Rudd and Peter Garrett’s Labor Party. Why? Because they promised to get tough on illegal Japanese whaling. They promised to take Japan to court. They promised to send a ship down to the Southern Ocean to monitor the illegal activities. They had severely criticized the former Howard government for not doing enough.

Since then Rudd and Garrett have demonstrated that they have done far less for the whales than former Environment Minister Ian Campbell had done.

Capture of 748-pound mako shark off Florida stirring up controversy

Florida anglers are being sharply criticized after apparently free-gaffing a 748-pound mako shark while fishing this week off South Florida.

The accompanying video, which is making the rounds on the Internet, shows the fishermen trying to gaff the free-swimming shark, which had become interested in a swordfish they had alongside their vessel. They succeeded in catching the predator and the footage ended up on a Florida TV station website.

A comment on YouTube from someone called Zencaster read: "I have been big-game fishing for 25 years and this is the most amateur kill I have ever seen. No wonder they have never seen anything like this before. They gaffed a green mako feeding on roadkill and were lucky they weren’t pulled in or worse, get their boat torn up after pulling him aboard.... What a disgrace, the fish deserved better."

Making note that no rods or reels appear to have been used in the capture of the mako, at least one shark conservation website claimed the anglers were in violation of state and federal law and implied it would follow through with authorities.

Luke Tipple, a marine biologist and director of the Shark-Free Marina Initiative, posted regulations that appear to have been violated.

"I’d hazard that I’m not the first to pick up on these fine points of the law but if the video does indeed tell the full tale then these laws need to be enforced," Tipple wrote. "If however the fishermen can provide video evidence of them using PRIMARY tackle (i.e. hook and line) to initialize the capture then they would be within their rights to have landed the shark.

"If this turns out to be the case then I will instead turn this report into a cautionary tale of how the media should be more responsible in reporting on shark harvests, particularly when dealing with species considered by some to be globally threatened."

The mako is listed as a "threatened" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

-- Pete Thomas

Video: YouTube

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PETA targets Aquarium of the Pacific over seafood promotion

News item: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sharply criticizes the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach for a promotion designed to help consumers make responsible choices when dining at area seafood restaurants.

A letter sent by PETA vice president Tracy Reimanto to aquarium president and CEO Jerry Schubel contained this quote: "Encouraging aquarium visitors to eat fish is like serving poodle burgers at a dog show."

Reaction: Poodle burgers sound disgusting. Seared albacore with fennel and arugula sounds wonderful. Perhaps PETA would be better served by focusing on real issues and go after, say, restaurants that serve shark-fin soup, which might thereby help to stop the brutal practice of finning --  the slicing of fins from live sharks at sea.

People are going to eat fish, and PETA cannot change that. So the Aquarium of the Pacific is to be commended, not criticized, for its "Seafood for the Future" program. It has partnered with more than a dozen restaurants so far. They've stamped their menus with logos next to seafood items that are harvested in a sustainable manner, or farmed in a way that does not harm the environment. Patrons who chose those items are rewarded with free passes to the aquarium.

Said Schubel to the Long Beach Press-Telegram: "The entire program is very consistent with our mission because we are committed to conserving wild stocks of fish. And one of the best ways to do that -- since seafood is so popular -- is to influence the choices that people make so that they will choose seafood wisely."

That mission is "to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants and ecosystems," and the photo atop this item is just one bit of evidence that the facility is fulfilling its mission.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Volunteer diver Dirk Burcham waves to Sofia Ferguson, 2, at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

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Whale wars saga begins with Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson under investigation

The hype has begun well in advance of another round of the annual war over whaling between the Japanese  and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

The former group is preparing for its impending seasonal hunt of mostly minke whales, with a quota of about 1,000 specimens it says are being killed for research purposes. The latter group is preparing for "Operation Waltzing Matilda," which will try to thwart the Japanese effort in and near the Antarctic region during its summer season.

Of course, a crew from Animal Planet will accompany Sea Shepherd and Paul Watson, its famous -- or infamous, depending on your viewpoint -- captain, to gather footage for a third season of the popular "Whale Wars" series.

But will Watson's campaign actually get underway? The Brisbane Times is reporting that Watson's police and court records are being evaluated before he's allowed to enter Australia, which is the starting point for his annual campaigns.

Specifically, Watson, who holds a U.S. passport, is being reviewed because of Sea Shepherd claims that it sank whaling ships in Norway. 

Watson claims politics are behind all of this and is quoted as saying, ''I am not wanted on any warrants [and] I have never received a felony conviction.''

Ironically, the Australian government is trying to persuade Japan to halt its commercial whaling effort (research notwithstanding, the meat  is sold commercially). Japan, meanwhile, has been trying to persuade Australia to help prevent Sea Shepherd from disrupting its hunts and endangering the lives of its crews.

The Australian Federal Police is still reviewing seized video and ship records after last year's campaign, which was dramatic and confrontational. That investigation reportedly was prompted by complaints from Japan.

Watson had hoped to be with Sea Shepherd and its flagship vessel, Steve Irwin, this week as it begins a promotional tour of capital cities. He still plans on being along for the campaign, but it will be no waltz.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo of Capt. Paul Watson courtesy of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

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Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Oct. 5

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Oct. 5 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake and Perris Lake

SAN BERNARDINO: Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork

INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (South Forks), Diaz Lake, Owens River Section 2, Pleasant Valley Reservoir and Sabrina Lake

MONO: Convict Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Mamie Lake, Mary Lake, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek Lake, Saddlebag Lake, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper)

Photo credit: Stephen Osman/Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Sept. 28

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 28 by the Department of Fish and Game:

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake and Gregory Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II) and Sherwin Creek.

Photo: Trout jump out of the water after bits of feed in a holding pond at the Kern River Hatchery. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Sea Shepherd boat to tour Australia before mission against Japanese whaling

Capt. Paul Watson and his ragtag vegan crew are about 90 days from embarking on another controversial campaign against the Japanese whaling fleet in and near the Antarctic.

But early next month, to drum up support for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's sixth such mission, Watson will guide the group's flagship vessel, Steve Irwin, on a tour of Australian ports.

The vessel will open for tours and the crew will share stories about what these campaigns entail; perhaps they'll discuss the controversial methods employed while trying to spare whales from exploding harpoons--like tossing bottle of rancid butter at the whalers.

For those who live Down Under, tour dates are as follows: Sydney–Oct. 5-12 at Circular Quay; Hobart–Oct. 16-22 at Macquarie Wharf; Fremantle–Nov. 4-Dec. 7 at C Berth.

For anyone considering joining up with Sea Shepherd, here's the job description: "No pay, long hours, hard work, dangerous conditions, extreme weather. Guaranteed: Adventure, fulfillment, and the hardest work you will ever love. The experience of a lifetime."

These campaigns have gained widespread notoriety thanks to Animal Planet and its "Whale Wars" series. The shows take viewers along for the ride as the Sea Shepherd crew hunts down the Japanese fleet and disrupts hunts that annually target about 1,000 minke whales and a small number of endangered fin whales.

The series also has served as a valuable recruitment tool for Sea Shepherd, a group that seems to be either despised or admired. Critics point out that Japan's hunts are legal and that Watson's questionable antics will get someone killed. But supporters maintain that Japan is hunting whales via a research loophole in the wording of an international moratorium on whaling, and that profit, not research, drives the whaling effort. If most of the world is against whaling, why is Japan still slaughtering the intelligent mammals?

From the sidelines, these annual confrontations are entertaining, to say the least. That's why Animal Planet jumped aboard two campaigns ago. Season 1 was boring, Season 2 was action-packed and it's anyone's guess how Season 3 will turn out, but it will not be lacking in drama.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Steve Irwin docked in Hobart, Australia. Credit:  Adam Lau / Sea Shepherd

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Tiger shark leaves Aquarium of the Pacific; white shark doing well at Monterey Bay Aquarium

If you're planning to visit the new tiger shark at the Aquarium of the Pacific, you'll be interested to learn that the juvenile apex predator was transported from the Long Beach facility's Shark Lagoon to a different facility.

According to an Aquarium of the Pacific spokeswoman, the 5-foot-long female tiger shark -- the only captive tiger shark on the U.S. mainland -- had outgrown her exhibit area. The new facility apparently wishes to remain anonymous.

Meanwhile, the young great white shark on display at the Monterey Bay Aquarium is feeding heartily on mackerel and salmon while serving its role of getting visitors to the Outer Bay exhibit interested in sharks and shark conservation.

"The only downside is that she prefers staying in the bottom portion of the exhibit and often near the back wall -- not making big, impressive passes by the main Outer Bay window upstairs (though she occasionally swims past)," aquarium spokesman Ken Peterson said via e-mail. "We're hoping she'll be with us for several months." 

The seaside facility has tagged and released its three previous captive sharks after stays that varied in length -- the record was 200 days. The predators are then tracked, and data are collected from tags as part of a collaborative program designed to learn more about white shark movements and habits.

The aquarium's SeaNotes blog has lots of information about the resident white shark and sharks in general, including a link that everyone interested in conserving sharks should visit, as it enables citizens to take action in support of legislation that would help bring an end to the cruel practice of shark-finning.

Millions of sharks are killed each year merely for their fins, to satisfy a powerful demand for shark-fin soup. It's said to be a delicacy, but there's undeniably something fishy about the process.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A young white shark swims past a young visitor to Monterey Bay Aquarium's Outer Bay exhibit. Credit: Randy Wilder / Monterey Bay Aquarium

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week of Sept. 21

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 21 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek. 

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek (Middle and South forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Crowley Lake, Deadman Creek, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Leavitt Creek, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2), Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth and West Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).   

Photo: Rainbow trout being prepared for pan frying. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

                       

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Sept. 14

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 14 by the Department of Fish and Game:

SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond. 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper).   

Photo: The Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery in Independence, which was closed last year after a mudslide, reopened recently to visitors, though it will not be raising trout. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Sept. 8

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 8 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake 

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3)

Photo: Jeff Winter of Van Nuys fishes for trout in hopes of dinner as the sun sets over Lower Pine Creek Lake. Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Aug. 31

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug. 31 by the Department of Fish and Game:

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake and Gregory Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times

'Whale Wars' season finale sets viewership record; third season announced

A record 3.2 million viewers tuned into the season finale of Animal Planet's "Whale Wars" series last Friday night and, to no one's surprise, the network announced there will be a third season.

The second season of "Whale Wars," which profiles the exploits of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as it campaigns against Japanese whalers in the Antarctic, was Animal Planet's second-best performing series in network history. The shows were viewed in an average of 779,000 homes.

The series pits an unwilling subject -- Japanese whalers -- versus Capt. Paul Watson and a ragtag vegan crew that engages in disruptive techniques such as tossing bottles of rancid butter (butyric acid) aboard the whaling vessels. Last season there were collisions and numerous other dicey situations.

Japan's annual whaling effort is legal, thanks to a loophole in the wording of an international moratorium. The primary targets are minke whales, which are not endangered. Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research has labeled Watson and his crew terrorists.

This winter's campaign (summer in the Antarctic) is called "Operation Waltzing Matilda" and will be an escalated effort sure to further rile the Japanese but please the show's producers.

Said Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet: “It’s been terrific to see the success of this groundbreaking series, and its growth creatively and with audiences from the first to the second season. I'm proud to be able to announce the third."

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: The Sea Shepherd vessel Steve Irwin collides with the stern of a Japanese harpoon whaling ship in the Antarctic during last season's campaign. Credit: Sea Shepherd
 

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Aug. 24

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug. 24 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).                           

Photo credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Aug. 17

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug. 17 by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE:Hemet Lake

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake and Gregory Lake 

SAN DIEGO:Cuyamaca Lake

INYO:Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO:Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3)   

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

Bluefin tuna swim into anglers' spotlight west of San Diego

Anglers aboard the New Lo-An out of Point Loma Sportfishing on Saturday caught 106 bluefin tuna while fishing an area 60 miles west of San Diego, well within range of the full-day fleet  and in U.S. waters.

Fishermen on the Sea Horse out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing on Sunday bagged 40 bluefin. The tuna are averaging 12 to 40 pounds.

(Hopefully, the galleys of both vessels were stocked with soy sauce and wasabi.)

On Friday, fishermen aboard the San Diego out of Seaforth Sportfishing boated more than 100 yellowtail at the Rockpile and Coronado Islands just south of the border--a remarkable count for a three-quarter-day boat.

"To the west in the cooler water is the bluefin, with some albacore mixed in, and to the south in the warmer water are the yellowtail, yellowfin tuna and dorado," reports 976-TUNA founder Philip Friedman.

And as summer progresses and the water warms all of these schools of fish are expected to migrate to the north.

Meanwhile, anglers on overnight boats out of L.A. and Long Beach harbors are focusing on the fat yellowtail at Cortes Bank, 100 miles offshore. Capt. Ray Lagmay of the Toronado on Monday phoned in a noon count of 50 yellowtail and two bluefin--and his passengers were still fishing.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Bluefin tuna swim in a tank at the Tokyo Sea Life Park in Tokyo. Credit: Tomohiro Ohsumi / Bloomberg News

Fishermen accused of poaching in Channel Islands sanctuary are fined $10,000

There has been lots of debate over how or whether penny-pinching California will be able enforce rules and regulations within an expanding network of marine-protected areas as part of the Marine Life Protection Act.

Meanwhile, federal authorities today issued a statement implying that poaching will not be tolerated in federally protected reserves.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that the owners and operators of the commercial fishing vessel Risa Lynn will pay a $10,000 civil penalty as a settlement in an illegal-fishing case within a marine-protected area in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

The bust was made after a two-week federal and state operation in March 2008, during which officials said the fishermen were observed setting gear in the Footprint Marine Reserve, south of Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands. The reserve is one of several federally designated no-take fishing zones.

The California Department of Fish and Game and U.S. Coast Guard assisted in the operation.

"This case is a primary example of what can be achieved through cooperative law enforcement efforts to protect our nation's natural marine resources," said Don Masters, special agent in charge of NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, southwest division.

The fishermen fined in the case were Shane and Jason Robinson of Santa Barbara and Joseph Campopiano of Morro Bay, Calif.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: East Anacapa Island. Credit: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Aug. 10

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug.10 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II,  Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Photo credit: Los Angeles Times

Vote on marine reserves off North-Central California leaves fishermen angry

*Corrects the number of MPAs to 24

The California Fish and Game Commission on Wednesday afternoon adopted the Integrated Preferred Alternative within the Marine Life Protection Act process as it pertains to the North-Central coast.

It will create 24 marine protected areas and ban or restrict fishing in nearly 20% of coastal waters between Half Moon Bay and Point Arena.

The commission adopted the measure -- one of four alternative measures up for consideration -- by a vote of 3-2.

While environmental groups were pleased with a measure they believe will help ensure the long-term survival of beleaguered fish stocks, fishermen did not waste time bemoaning the loss of historic fishing grounds and what they perceive to be a threat to their livelihoods. State game wardens complained that they're already overworked and may not be able to guard against poaching and other violations.

"For me the most painful is an area called Fitzgerald's Reef, which extends outside the harbor six miles along the coast and three miles offshore," said Capt. William Smith of the recreational fishing boat Rip Tide, which runs from Half Moon Bay. "That's always been a major fishery for us."

Much of the waters surrounding the Farallon Islands west of San Francisco also will be closed to fishing, with a few seasonal exceptions. Nature viewing operations might also be affected there because there will be a 1,000-foot buffer zone from North Island. A spokesman for a small seaweed harvesting business at Point Arena said it will suffer a 40% annual loss because of the restrictions.

The closures are scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1

Marine protected areas in north-central California up for vote today

Today beginning at 10 a.m. the California Fish and Game Commission will decide on the Marine Life Protection Act issue as it pertains to north-central California.

The commission will adopt one of several proposals that will determine how much of coastal waters from Santa Cruz to Mendocino will be parceled off as reserves and become off-limits to fishermen. More than 20 new reserves will be created and fishing will be restricted or banned in about 20% of state waters between Half Moon Bay to Point Arena.

That determination will be made while the MLPA process is underway in Southern California, the third theater for a controversial process that has pitted fishermen against environmentalists.

Proponents argue that establishing a network of marine protected areas along California is critical to ensure sustainability in an era of declining fisheries. Opponents say pollution and other factors are more to blame for declining fisheries and that this process will merely put fishermen out of business and come at a great cost to a state that already is broke.

Along the latter lines, California's game wardens have said they'll be unable to enforce new rules in the closed areas. Lt. Bob Farrell, a spokesman for the game wardens' union and part-time skipper of the patrol boat Albacore, told the Sacramento Bee that the vessel has not left its Humboldt Bay dock since May because of budget restraints.

Vern Goehring, manager of the California Fisheries Coalition, told the Bee his members aren't opposed to protective measures, but added: "If you don't actually enforce them, then the hoped-for benefits are unlikely to materialize. It doesn't make any sense to do this now."

Proponents of the MLPA process might counter that the state has waited too long already.

One more thing: The commission will decide this issue with a new member, as reported by Amy Littlefield in the Greenspace blog. Cindy Gustafson, commission president, quit last  Friday because of a non-related issue. Donald Benninghoven was appointed Tuesday and this will ensure a five-member vote. Gustafson and Benninghoven are considered supporters of the MLPA.

--Pete Thomas

Photo: Ocean angler. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Britain mourns after Benson the 'iconic carp' goes mysteriously belly up

In much of the United States, carp are considered by anglers to be trash fish.

But Benson, apparently, was no ordinary common carp. She was gargantuan, for starters, weighing 62 pounds. She was venerable, too, believed to be at least 25 years old.

Britishers would drive for miles to her home lake in Cambridgeshire and try to spot her, Anglers would try to catch and weigh her, but they'd always release her.

And then she went belly up.

Or, as a columnist for the Times of London states in an online story posted today, "Now she is dead, and -- just as with Diana, Princess of Wales, and Marilyn Monroe--a mythology has already started to build up  around her passing."

The story quotes Tony Bridgefoot, owner of a lakes complex that stocked Benson in 1995, as saying Benson was "an iconic carp and we are all trying to come to terms with her death." He added that fishermen wanted to catch her because of her size but also because "she was scale perfect."

Some theorize that Benson was inadvertently poisoned with improperly processed nuts used for bait. More likely, she perished because she was old, obese and beleaguered after being caught at least 63 times.

But Benson, who was named after a hole in the shape of a cigarette burn in her dorsal fin, isn't really gone. Bridgefoot will have her mounted and give her a prominent location in the lodge. "We will have guided tours and they will be full, I'm sure," he said.

--Pete Thomas

Photo: An angler poses with Benson the carp at Bluebell Lakes near Peterborough, England. Credit: Angling Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Aug. 3

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug. 3 by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake and Green Valley Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).

Photo: Rainbow trout being prepared for pan frying. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning July 27

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of July 27 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Photo: Jeff Winter of Van Nuys fishes for trout in hopes of dinner as the sun sets over Lower Pine Creek Lake. Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra for week of July 20

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of July 20 by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake and Lytle Creek (Middle & North Forks). 

INYO: Lone Pine Creek and Owens River (below Tinnemaha). 

MONO: Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mary Lake, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo: The Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery in Independence, which was closed last year after a mudslide, reopened recently to visitors, though it will not be raising trout. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning July 13

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of July 13 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake. 

RIVERSIDE: Fulmor Lake, Hemet Lake and Strawberry Creek.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake and Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Shepherd Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo: Trout jump out of the water after bits of feed in a holding pond at the Kern River Hatchery. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning July 6

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of July 6 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).  

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

New great white shark haunt to be revealed with conservation in mind

Check out the white shark video to try to determine the location: (a) Guadalupe Island; (b) South Africa; (c) South Australia; (d) Farallon Islands; or (e) none of the above?

The answer is "e."

It's a newly discovered white shark aggregation site and news of its existence is sure to pique the interest of scientists and documentary teams.

An announcement regarding the site will be made this weekend by Shark Divers, a company that used to be in the commercial cage-diving business but now specializes in working with film and television crews.

For now, its code name is Oceana and Shark Divers CEO Patric Douglas, who labels it the most exciting white shark site discovery since Mexico's Guadalupe Island in 2001, would only confirm that it's a very remote island in the Southern Ocean.

Douglas said a limited number of crews will begin visiting the location early next year and that it remains unclear whether a commercial cage-diving operation will be established.

Cage-diving operations are beneficial in that they allow the general public to develop a better understanding and appreciation of the embattled apex predators. But they can also be harmful to sharks--especially those that accidentally get caught between cage bars--and some charge that chumming habituates the sharks.

Because aggregation sites are so few, they do need to be protected and diving operations need to be regulated. "These sites need to be protected with everything we've got," Douglas said. "Now that the site is known, we've  got to get the public behind it so the local government can say 'Yes, we need to turn this into a special place.' "

--Pete Thomas

Video courtesy of Shark Divers

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning June 29

 

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 29 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake. 

ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.

RIVERSIDE: Fulmor Lake and Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Lytle Creek (Middle & North Forks), Miller Canyon Creek, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork.

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake and Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker Lake, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning June 22

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 22 with rainbow trout or channel catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

Trout:

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek,  Independence Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Shepherds Creek, South Lake, Symms Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Catfish:

LOS ANGELES: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir.

Photo credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times

Fish and Game Q&A: Can fish be moved from one body of water to another?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday afternoon or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I ran into a bunch of guys recently who love to bass-fish and so have been moving bass into the rivers. They think it's OK but I think not because bass eat trout and salmon fry. They say the water is too warm during the summer for trout. Is there anything we can do if we know they are taking a bunch of bass to the rivers to dump? Who do I contact if I know where and when it will be done next? (Anonymous)

Answer: Transporting and relocating live finfish from one body of water to another in California can cause serious environmental problems and is a serious offense punishable by fines and even jail time. If you have knowledge of this activity, you should immediately call our toll-free CalTIP line ([888] DFG-CALTIP, or [888] 334-2258) and provide specific details, including suspect and vehicle descriptions, license plate numbers and locations of where the fish are being caught and dropped off.

Aside from the fact that the transported fish may not adapt well to their new surroundings or even die, they can potentially disrupt the balance of existing species through increased predation, competition for limited food sources, disease and parasites.

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning June 15

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 15 with rainbow trout or channel catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lagoon and Pyramid Lake. 

VENTURA: Piru Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symms Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Catfish:

ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake, Laguna Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Lake, Tri-City Park Lake and Yorba Regional Park Lake.

Photo: A trout jumps out of a pool at the Mt. Whitney fish hatchery near Independence in this 2007 photo. Credit: Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times

Shark anglers who kill their catch may soon be unwelcome in home port

Recreational fishermen in California are well aware of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative, an ongoing and controversial stakeholder-driven process that is working to put in place a vast network of marine protected areas, including no-fishing zones, along the coast.

But many probably have not heard of the fledgling Shark-Free Marina Initiative, which recently launched a campaign to try to prohibit the landing of sharks in marinas around the world.

The SFMI figures to receive more angler support than the MLPAI, but there will be veteran shark anglers who oppose such meddling.

The SFMI is a response by shark conservationists to the perilous plight most species of sharks face because of rampant overfishing on a global scale, commercially.

"Although the number of sharks killed by recreational fishermen each year is dwarfed by commercial catches, the current crisis facing shark stocks requires action wherever possible," Edd Brooks, a scientist on the SFMI advisory board, said in a news release. "We are not asking fishermen to stop fishing, only asking them to start releasing their catch."

It's a worthy endeavor. Killing sharks for sport is increasingly unpopular and harmful to the marine environment. It's worse than killing marlin and other billfish because sharks are so slow to reproduce.

Luke Tipple, director of the SFMI, said there are only six cooperating marinas -- it began with two marinas in the Bahamas -- but six others have registered and recruitment drives are planned for Florida and California. Essentially, cooperating marinas, which can register on the SFMI website, obtain signage and literature that cautions in bright-red lettering that bringing dead sharks back to port won't be tolerated.

It will be interesting to see whether this will catch on and what kind of reaction it garners.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A 1,060-pound hammerhead shark is treated carefully after being caught and ultimately killed recently by Capt. Bucky Dennis off Boca Grande, Fla. Credit: Julie Deibler

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning June 8

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 8 with rainbow trout or catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE: Fulmor Lake, Hemet Lake and Strawberry Creek. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Jenks Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symms Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Catfish:

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake.     

Photo: With the Sierra Nevada range providing a dramatic background, a young angler tries his luck in Convict Lake. Credit: Brian VanderBrug/Los Angeles Times

Chinook salmon release totals 550,000 in San Pablo Bay

The Department of Fish and Game on Thursday released 550,000 young Chinook salmon into San Pablo Bay, in an ongoing attempt to boost a beleaguered Central Valley fall-run fishery whose near-collapse has caused an estimated $279-million loss to the economy and led to the elimination of 2,690 jobs.

The release marked the end of an ambitious spring trucking-and-acclimation project that has stocked nearly 13 million salmon. The project entailed direct delivery to the Northern California bay via trucks and hours-long acclimation periods in Fishery Foundation  of California net pens. The pens were then towed across the bay and the six-inch fish were slowly released beneath the surface to guard against bird predation.

This method, versus in-river releases, more than doubles the survival rate and increases the return of hatchery-reared salmon, as adults, three years after their release, according to a DFG spokesman.

The Central Valley River system's fall run of Chinook, or king salmon, has suffered because of diversions, dams, pumps, seal and sea lion predation, and other factors. Last year only 66,000 adults returned. It was the lowest return recorded and prompted closure of sport and commercial fisheries.

The bright news is that this fall 122,000 adult salmon are expected to return, but that probably won't be enough to reopen the fishery. It is hoped the fishery will reopen in 2010.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Department of Fish and Game fisheries employees deposit six-inch salmon smolts into net pens, where they were acclimated before being released into San Pablo Bay. Credit: Harry Morse