California

OLYMPIA-A California sea lion captured yesterday for relocation from the Columbia River died today during a health examination at a Tacoma zoo. The animal, a 1,454-pound adult male being held temporarily at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium (PDZA), failed to resume breathing after being anesthetized for the examination. A team that included an Oregon veterinarian, a state marine mammal biologist and a federal animal-care expert had concluded the health exam and were attempting to bring the animal out of anesthesia when the death occurred.

Looking for a fun activity that works both your mind and body? BOW, California is offering a geocaching (“jee-oh-cash-ing”) workshop at Wonder Valley Ranch Resort in Sanger , California . Geocaching has been called the modern-day treasure hunt. Instead of a map marked with an “X”, you use a GPS receiver, a set of coordinates and clues. Your treasure is a hidden container filled with just about anything (eco-friendly) and is enjoyed by all ages around the world.

Sacramento, CA---In response to the emergency closure of salmon fishing on the West Coast, the Recreational Fishing Alliance has announced a proposal for a Federal Salmon Stamp, modeled after the Federal Duck Stamp, which has raised over $600 million for wildlife habitat conservation since 1934.

NAPA, CALIFORNIA – Building off of its success and award-winning designs in 2007, Sitka partnered with some of the top technical outerwear designers in the world to completely redesign and create new additions to the 2008 line of camouflage and solid hunting gear and apparel.

Sacramento, California – A new economic study, released Friday by the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO), demonstrates that two of the three marine protected area (MPA) proposals currently before the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) could have a devastating effect on the economy of California’s North Central Coast. Using available economic and fishing data, the study illustrates the impact that each MPA proposal will have on marine recreational fishing and local economies. Annually, recreational fishing has more than a billion dollar impact on California’s economy.

Recreational fishing regulations are proposed to change on or about May 1, 2008, for those anglers fishing for groundfish in northern California. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announced that these regulation changes will prohibit fishing in waters greater than 20 fathoms (120 feet) in depth and will close specific areas to fishing for rockfish, lingcod, greenlings, cabezon and other groundfish. The primary goal of the new regulations is to reduce the bycatch of yelloweye and canary rockfish.

Sacramento, California – A new economic study, released Friday by the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO), demonstrates that two of the three marine protected area (MPA) proposals currently before the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) could have a devastating effect on the economy of California’s North Central Coast. Using available economic and fishing data, the study illustrates the impact that each MPA proposal will have on marine recreational fishing and local economies. Annually, recreational fishing has more than a billion dollar impact on California’s economy.

PSO Supports Proposal 2-XA Which Creates a Preferred Network of Marine Protected Areas in the North Central Phase of MLPA Process April 9, 2008, SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Conserving marine resources while minimizing unnecessary closures to recreational fishing, ensuring that sustainable recreational activities will be available to the public now and into the future, is the ultimate goal California’s leading marine conservation partnership. The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) today announced its support for a North Central Coast marine protected area proposal that holds conservation as its highest priority while maintaining quality recreational opportunity and protecting the economic output of ocean related recreation within the area’s coastal communities.

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Bainbridge Island, Washington - The top names in Fly Fishing have joined forces together to put togther a world-class fly fishing outfit as a fundraiser for Trout Unlimited-Alaska to help with their efforts protecting the Bristol Bay watershed.