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+--- Thread: Now, Nearly Everybody Can Catch White Sea Bass (/showthread.php?tid=200236)
Now, Nearly Everybody Can Catch White Sea Bass - FishNews - 05-09-2005
May 11, 2005, Marina del Rey, CA- Thanks to the successful partnership between Hubbs Sea World, UASC, DFG and several recreational angling clubs in Southern California it is now possible for almost any lucky angler to land a trophy white sea bass. The Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program has spawned, grown and released over 1,000,000 white sea bass since the program began in 1994. Thanks to this program and the elimination of the commercial gill nets which decimated the white sea bass populations in the 70’s and 80’s, the catches of trophy white sea bass in Southern California in recent years has been epic. White sea bass of 20 to 30 pounds are common and fish in the 40 and 50 pound range are no longer that rare. Of course these fish are still elusive and you need to be at the right place at the right time with a knowledgeable skipper to increase your chances with one of these great fighting and great eating fish.
On May 5, the Marina del Rey Anglers released 2,997 white sea bass into Marina del Rey Harbor to spend the rest of their lives in the natural fishery. Coincidentally, on that same day a white sea bass caught at Santa Rosa Island on the Apollo had a tag which revealed the fish had been released from Marina del Rey in 1998. It weighed approximately 8 ounces when it was released and was approximately 36 inches long when caught.
MDRA Director Paul Simon stewards the program at Marina del Rey. These fish are like his children, and when we release them Paul creates a party like atmosphere. Paul even brings his boom box and plays the "Pomp and Circumstance" Graduation March as his Pen Pal volunteers open the gates to sheppard these juvenile white sea bass to the freedom and risks of adulthood in the open sea.
There are fourteen grow out facilities located in harbors from San Diego to Santa Barbara. With a high-tech hatchery in Carlsbad, California, they comprise the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program. The fish are spawned and reared at the Hubbs/Sea World Hatchery in Carlsbad, California and are distributed to the grow-out facilities. The fish spend about six to eight months in the grow out facilities where they grow from 3 to 5 inches reaching a length of ten to twelve inches, improving their chances to survive in the wild.
Each of the hatchery-bred fish contains a microscopic stainless steel tag that is inscribed with a number. Recovery of the tag, which is embedded in the fish's cheek will reveal when it was spawned, when it was sent to a grow-out facility, when it was released, and the average size of the batch when it was released. The success of the program can only be judged by the returned heads. It is essential that every recreational fisherman removes the head of every white sea bass caught and turns it in to a collection station. A drawing, held every six months, pays $500 to the angler who has turned in a white sea bass head and holds the lucky number. There are twenty head collection stations in Southern California harbors. Landings and bait docks will accept heads and send them to the hatchery.
Marina del Rey Anglers have operated the local grow-out facility since 1994, during which time they have released 62,227 juvenile white sea bass. Before releasing the fish Gabe Buhr, a Hubbs’ biologist, measures, weighs and checks the overall health of a sample of 50 fish. Then club volunteers perform the tedious task of counting every fish to be released. Finally, the gates are opened, the Graduation March blares from the boom box speakers and the fish are released. We hope these fish will flourish in the wild and will challenge your angling skills and delight your table fare in the future.
To join Marina del Rey Anglers or to learn more about the white sea bass program contact Paul Simon at 310/821-7262.
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Re: [FishNews] Now, Nearly Everybody Can Catch White Sea Bass - JapanRon - 05-09-2005
Hi there FishNews,
This is one project that proves that grass roots activity can make a difference.
The kelpbeds/shorelines along the Palo Verde cliffs are swarming with the little 16 inchers.
JapanRon
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Re: [FishNews] Now, Nearly Everybody Can Catch White Sea Bass - tubeN2 - 05-09-2005
That's good to hear. There is another WSB hatchery for Ventura county that is doing the same program. It's holding tanks are located adjacent to the OPBs at Ciscos landing.[cool]
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