Pete Thomas Outdoors

Are California hatcheries producing triploid trout?

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

Question: A friend told me  state Fish and Wildlife fish hatcheries are now producing and stocking triploid fish. Is this true? (Anonymous)

Answer: Yes! These vivacious, catchable, sterilized rainbow trout are produced by California Department of Fish and Wildlife fish hatcheries. Triploid fish have an extra set of chromosomes (3N) as a result of pressure treatment, combined with carefully monitored temperature and time precision during egg fertilization. The resulting fish are sterile, making them a more ecologically sound option for recreational fishing in many waters across the state. The fish perform for anglers like a diploid (fertile) fish, many grow larger than the fertile diploids, and they are increasingly being produced in other states for recreational stocking throughout the country.

In fact, new legislation that went into effect January 1, 2013 requires the CDFW to sterilize nearly all fish planted for recreational purposes. This sterilization practice has been in place for decades and requires no manipulation of the cell genomes – no genes are modified or transferred in this process. The carefully applied pressure during fertilization simply encourages the retention of an extra set of chromosomes normally in the egg but later discarded. Polyploidy (more than two sets of chromosomes) is common in the animal kingdom.


Q: The new sturgeon regulations mandate that only barbless hooks may be used when fishing for sturgeon. Does this mean it is now illegal to use two rods in waters where only barbless hooks are allowed? This doesn’t seem right. (Anonymous)

Snowmobiler Caleb Moore, 25, dies a week after Winter X Games crash

Snowmobile rider Caleb Moore, 25, died Thursday morning, exactly one week after being injured in a crash at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo., reports The Denver Post. Moore's death is the first fatality in the 17-year history of the Winter X Games.

Though details on the exact cause of death were not disclosed, family spokeswoman Chelsea Lawson released the following statement on behalf of the Moore family:

"The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for all the prayers and support they have received from all the fans, friends and family around the world that Caleb has inspired.

"They would also like to thank the physicians and medical staff at both Aspen Valley Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital, Grand Junction for their care and dedication.

"At this time, the family will not be making any other public statements. They continue to decline interviews. Thank you for continuing to respect the family's privacy during this difficult time."

Moore, of Krum, Texas, was injured during the snowmobile freestyle final when he failed to complete a flip and his vehicle's skis clipped the landing, sending Moore flying over the handlebars and face-first into the ramp. His snowmobile then landed on top of him, knocking him unconscious, but Moore eventually walked off the course with assistance and was rushed to Aspen Valley Hospital with a concussion.

While there, doctors discovered bleeding around Moore's heart and had him airlifted to the hospital in Grand Junction for emergency surgery. It was reported that the cardiac injury led to "a secondary complication involving his brain" but further details weren't provided.

-- Kelly Burgess

Image of Caleb Moore at last year's Winter X Games courtesy of Eric Lars Bakke / ESPN Images

Mentawais' reefs jeopardized by bomb-throwing fishermen

Fishermen have often joked, after hours of not catching anything, that they wished they had some dynamite. But in the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia, fishing with explosives is no joke: This practice, carried out illegally by visiting fishermen aboard skiffs, is destroying precious reefs that are critical to the health of the marine ecosystem.

The reefs also are important for a tourism industry supported largely by surfers, who visit because of the perfect waves that break over the reefs, but also because of the pristine nature of the region. (See video footage posted below.)

(Note: A version of this post also appears on the GrindTv.com Outdoor blog.)

But for the past several weeks the serenity has been shattered.

"For over a month now, the Playgrounds area has had at least three boats bombing our reefs every day," the owner of a surf resort told Surfer magazine, referring to a popular surfing spot."When the weather is good, they can do more than five cycles of bombing and collecting the dead fish in a day. Each cycle is between five to eight bombs. Calculating a low average, we estimate more than 2,250 bombs have been exploded in our 15-mile radius area."

Complaints to local and national government agencies have fallen on deaf ears.

 

The accompanying video shows fishermen tossing bombs, which send water cascading skyward, and a silhouetted man stepping forth repeatedly to complain about the lack of any type of response by a government that seems too preoccupied by other matters to deal with this issue.

If this level of destruction continues, of course, it will be devastating for local fisheries, the marine environment, and surfing-related tourism.

"Every time the surf season ends these guys descend," Jess Ponting, director of the Center for Surf Research at San Diego State University, told Surfer. "It seems more concentrated this year, but perhaps they are just working closer to the surf resorts, or perhaps there are now more surf resorts, where people see it and are horrified by it."

Ponting added that the fishermen doing the most damage are not locals trying to find food for their families, but commercial fishermen from the Sumatran mainland more than 100 miles away, making the situation more frustrating because they're inadvertently harming the local population.

Ponting says that 86 percent of Indonesia's reefs are threatened, and that most will be dead by 2020 if the current rate of destruction continues.

Surfer quoted another surf camp owner as saying: "Although we have called every agency possible, nothing has been done and the boats are still operating as we speak. The goal is to help Indonesians feel strongly about protecting their waters from bomb boats, and nudge them into action. Time is against us. Please spread the word."

A petition has been established and those who care about the people of the Mentawais and the marine environment are encouraged to sign.

For more on this issue, visit Surfer magazine

--Photo: Skiff fishermen at the Mentawais toss explosives to kill the fish they like to catch, but the method also destroys precious reefs and the marine ecosystem. Credit: Carter/Surfer magazine

Amazing humpback whale footage off Maui, but that music?

 

There have been several incredible humpback whale encounters recently off Maui, but few that were shared with a corny sea ditty as accompaniment.

Viewers are likely to find this choice of music either amusing or, more likely, distracting.

But check out the footage, showing a juvenile humpback whale hanging out beneath a Trilogy Excursions boat for an extended period.

"This is what's known as a classic 'mugging,' where we can't move the boat until the whale decides to move on elsewhere," Trilogy stated Sunday on its Facebook page. "Sometimes, however, they just don't want to let you go..."

A crew member named Katie captured the underwater footage. Not sure who came up with the music.

Campsites in spotlight after completion of Pacific Crest Trail

 

Chris and Anna Alexander hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada in 2012, and took lots of photos along the way.

Many of the photos during their five-month, 2,600-mile odyssey were of their on- and off-trail campsites, and a lightweight tent that is shown throughout the fun video atop this post.

Watching the footage, though, you get a sense that the tent did all the camping because because Chris and Anna appear only sporadically before the camera.

The video is posted on their Wandering the Wild website and Facebook page, and serves, essentially, as a tent review.

For prospective PCT hikers, however, the information may be useful.

States the couple: "The Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 tent performed well during our PCT through-hike. It’s very light. Out of the box this two-person tent weighs 2.6 pounds. We left the stuff sack at home and brought only 6 Vargo titanium tent stakes, bringing the weight down to 2.3 pounds.

"The Fly Creek UL2 was cozy for the two of us with only a few inches to spare on either side of our sleeping pads, but its small size allowed us to pitch the tent in itty bitty spots when necessary."

As for the more scenic photos, they'll  be featured in Chris Alexander's forthcoming book: "Pacific Crest Trail: A Journey in Photographs." The 120-page hardcover is slated for a Feb. 25 release and will sell for $49.95.

--Kelly Burgess

Snowmobiler Caleb Moore in critical condition after Winter X Games crash

Snowmobile rider Caleb Moore is in critical condition and clinging to life following a crash Thursday at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo.

"Caleb is not doing good at all," Moore's grandfather, Charles, told The Denver Post on Monday.  "The prognosis is not good at all. It's almost certain he's not going to make it."

Moore, 25, of Krum, Texas, was injured during the snowmobile freestyle final when he failed to complete a flip and his vehicle's skis clipped the landing, sending Moore flying over the handlebars and face-first into the ramp. His snowmobile then landed on top of him, knocking him unconscious, but Moore eventually walked off the course with assistance and was rushed to Aspen Valley Hospital with a concussion.

While there, doctors discovered bleeding around Moore's heart and had him airlifted to the hospital in Grand Junction for emergency surgery Friday. A family spokeswoman said Sunday that the cardiac injury led to "a secondary complication involving his brain" but didn't provide details.

"Caleb is in critical condition and is being closely monitored," family spokeswoman Chelsea Lawson told The Denver Post.

Prayers and well-wishes have been pouring in on Moore's Facebook fan page since the accident.

"The Moores want to express their gratitude to all of Caleb's fans, friends and family for their strong support and ask for continued prayers in the coming days," added Lawson. "The family will not be making any other public statements for the time being. Thank you for respecting the family's privacy during this difficult time."

-- Kelly Burgess

Image of Caleb Moore at last year's Winter X Games courtesy of Eric Lars Bakke / ESPN Images

If white-tailed deer stray into California, can we shoot?

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

Question: If white-tailed deer were to migrate into California from Oregon or Idaho, could they be shot here on sight since there is no season or provision for that species? (Scott H.)

Answer:  No. Since Fish and Game Code, section 3950(a) defines deer as genus Odocoileus, which includes white-tailed deer, white-tailed deer can only be taken under the normal deer hunting provisions for the area in which it wandered.


Q: I live in the Valley District and am wondering if it is legal to spearfish in the Sacramento River? I know there are carp, pikeminnow (squawfish) and western suckers. I’ve been searching online and many people say you can’t spearfish in any fresh water system, including streams, lakes and rivers. I have spearfished in the ocean but not in fresh water yet. I keep hearing different things from people regarding the spearfishing.

Also, is there any recommended equipment for spearfishing? Can homemade or custom-built equipment be legally used for spearfishing? I know the Valley District is only open for a short time (five months) for spearfishing. (J.T. Moua)

A: Spearfishing is allowed but there are some restrictions. First of all, please pick up a copy of the 2012-2013 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet available free of charge at most stores or DFG offices that sell fishing licenses or online at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/. Section 2.30 (page 15) lists the only species that may be taken in the Valley District between May 1 and Sept. 15. For a description of the boundaries for the Valley District, please see section 6.36 (page 27). In addition, you may not spearfish in designated spawning areas. There are no specific definitions regarding the spears that may be used, so you may build your own or buy a custom made spear. For a definition of what regulations constitute spearfishing, please see section 1.76 (page 13).


Q: When fishing for sturgeon, how many hooks are allowed?

A: Only one single point, single shank, barbless hook may be used on a line when taking sturgeon.


Q: If a legal-sized white sturgeon is caught accidentally on a barbed hook (e.g. while fishing for striped bass), can it be legally kept as long as the angler possesses a sturgeon report card and tag? (Anonymous)

Gray whale 'super pod' off L.A.? Check out this raw footage

Lost in the hoopla generated by a humpback whale that had been feeding close to shore for much of last week off Redondo Beach was the sighting of 23 gray whales in a single small group.

It was referred to by some as a "super pod," a term more commonly associated with dolphins and sometimes killer whales. But 23 gray whales grouped so closely together is something rarely seen off Southern California.

This occurred Sunday off the Palos Verdes Peninsula but the footage was released Wednesday by Alisa Schulman-Janiger, director of the ACS/L.A. Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project. Project volunteers were first to spot the whales, nearly three miles off Point Vicente.

Schulman-Janiger  caught up to them farther offshore, aboard the Christopher out of Harbor Breeze Cruises. Her raw footage made the NBC News, which billed this is the largest pod of gray whales spotted off Southern California in 30 years. Here's the clip:

 

A real crowd pleaser: Famous humpback whale videotaped breaching off Redondo Beach

One of the questions being asked regarding a humpback whale that had attracted such a large crowd for several days off Redondo Beach was this: What happens if the giant mammal decides to breach? Someone could be killed.

Turns out, the whale did breach, and the event was captured on videotape Saturday by Hermosa Beach resident Marc Racunas. The footage was uploaded Tuesday onto YouTube  (pay attention at the 16-second mark).

 

Fortunately, the whale breached after it had been given at least a little space.

It was first spotted outside King Harbor on Jan. 15. Because of its close proximity and summer-like weather, it was visited daily for six days by people aboard paddleboards, jet skis, kayaks, small boats and big boats. Few paid attention to NOAA guidelines advising people to maintain a distance of 100 yards or more, and many seemed to be in clear violation of a federal law banning the harassment of marine mammals.

NOAA did not maintain any kind of enforcement presence.

The last known sighting of the whale, nicknamed "Stinky," was on Sunday.

--Pete Thomas

Humpback whale off Redondo Beach needs some space

The allure of humpback whales is incredible, especially when the gregarious cetaceans are lingering close to shore and easy to locate. For the past week a lone humpback whale has been feeding just off Redondo Beach, and the atmosphere has been circus-like.

People have been visiting the whale on paddleboards, jet skis, kayakas and boats of all sizes, and this type of curiosity is not good for a whale that's simply trying to feed. Nor is it safe for people who could be killed if the whale suddenly decides to breach, or if it decides to lunge feed, which entails powerful body thrusts.

(Note: A similar version of this post appears on the GrindTv.com Outdoor blog)

There appears to be evidence of whale harassment, if not in these images then in some of those being passed around on Facebook. But so far NOAA has not made arrests, having chosen instead to pass out guidelines advising people to stay at least 100 yards from the whale.

Clearly, people are not heeding the guidelines. While some of the paddlers have merely ventured out to watch, others have hurried to wherever the whale surfaces for a breath.

It's not illegal to be close to whales, but it is illegal to harass them in any way, or to alter their behavior.
Humpback whales feed on krill and small, schooling fish, and when they find a large food source they often remain in that area until they've had their fill. One cannot help but wonder whether so much human activity is altering the whale's feeding behavior.

Naturally, marine mammal enthusiasts are fuming, and venting on Facebook. "It's a good thing this whale isn't lunge feeding," one of the comments reads. "Although the Darwin Award winners have not been named and these are all candidates."

NOAA's Monica DeAngelis has seen many of the photos and last week said she had contacted the federal agency's Office of Law Enforcement.

But in summer-like weather over the weekend, the crowd around the whale was bigger than during last week and the only noticeable attempt to deter people from getting too close came from commercial whale-watching captains talking on loud speakers. Coast Guard and Harbor Patrol vessels have been present, at times, but did not keep people at bay.

But this appears to be one tolerant whale. If its feeding has not been interrupted by the constant presence and buzz of people that would be remarkable.

That nobody has been hurt is equally remarkable, given that humpback whales are powerful and unpredictable wild animals that can weigh up to 40 tons. As researcher Alisa Schulman-Janiger stated last week when a paddleboarder was photographed close to a fin whale, "One flip of the tail and there they go, and the headline would be 'Whale hits man.' "

Many are hoping that the whale leaves before somebody gets injured, or that the weather takes a turn for the worse, preventing small vessels from accessing the whale. Rain is in the forecast for Friday, but on Monday the sun was bright and the humpback whale search continued.

--Photos: Top three were captured over the weekend by Eric and Cody Martin. Bottom image, from the same area last week, is courtesy of Bernardo Alps