Liquid gold of San Francisco Bay has turned to silver, but the fleets come back for more.
Published: March, 2005
Liquid gold of San Francisco Bay has turned to silver, but the fleets come back for more. December to March, the stiff limits for the fleet keep carefully managed herring schools healthy in San Francisco Bay. There are 388 permits given out on a limited schedule for weekday fishing only, in designated areas. However, not all 388 permits are actively fished. Fleets add self- regulated buoys to stay clear of the ferry routes, particularly in Sausalito. Only ten permits are given out for eggs on kelp or eggs on nets and ten for fresh herring catches. The fresh herring catch occurs prior to the commercial roe herring season each year.
Herring visit the Bay to spawn between November and March and sometimes into April. The exact quota for the amount of fish, live fish, and herring eggs on kelp that can be taken out of the Bay are based on recommendations from the Department of Fish and Game. The Department estimates the amount fish entering the bay and uses that estimate to set quotas for the following season.
This timely way of defining the limits each year ensures the limits are matched to the numbers and size of the arriving fish. Herring is considered the best managed fishery in California. There are also strict regulations on use and management of the nets with an associated point system with hefty fines for any infraction, starting at $200 a point. Fish and Game provides a hotline with reports of their surveys to help fishermen fill their quotas. This helps the fishermen get out of the Bay quickly and leave the fish alone to spawn in peace sooner. This action ensures long-term survival of herring in our Bay.
The minimum net mesh size for the 2004-05 San Francisco Bay fishing season is 2-1/8 inches; the mesh size regulations did not change this year but they can. Each year, most of the herring fishermen purchase new nets. If a strained net, or one with a small tear, were to release a catch, it may end fishing for the day or longer until a replacement net is put on. In the not too distant past when Japanese buyers for herring were paying top dollar, one day’s catch could mean $10,000 lost if the fleet got lucky that day. Boat and engine repairmen dropped everything when a herring boat broke down. The price of the fish is way down in today’s market but it still can mean a notable percentage of the catch and annual income, causing quite a scramble if a boat is not ready when the season starts or breaks during the short periods of time when they can fish. Fishermen have to follow the 3 P’s rule: Prepare, Prepare, Prepare.
Commercial boats are divided into three fleets. The fleet with the most seniority fish in December. They are followed by the Odd and Even fleets. They alternated through the weeks of their season till quotas are met or March 11th at noon. Individual boats do their best to catch as much of the fleet limit as they can. It is a friendly competition of hard working folk. “It was a dismal year for herring. The overall quota for SF Bay was 3,440 tons (there are 2000 lbs in a ton). The DH or December platoon did not land any fish. The Odd platoon only caught 76 tons, and the Even platoon caught approximately 67 tons. Their season ends on March 11 at 1200.” said Becky Ota of the Department of Fish and Game.” Said Becky Ota, Senior biologist supervisor and Statewide herring manager
Demand and prices for herring and herring roe may have fallen off, but it is still there. Along with the Japanese economy, herring prices are making a very slow recovery. When two fishermen were asked if it was worth it, the captain said, “Well…” The crew said, “Sure!”, and laughed. Both said they wouldn’t do anything else. After herring season is over, they go fishing for other kinds of fish. These commercial fishermen work year round in one of the most dangerous professions, yet there is something that gets in their blood and they would never change it. They laughed at the many challenges that they face. It was clear that they really love to fish and are more than willing to accept the Department of Fish and Game limits to ensure that they can continue to have the option to fish for herring in San Francisco Bay.
