Millennium 2000 Halibut Derby
April 1st and 2nd 2000
HALIBUT DERBY AIDS WHITE
SEABASS RESTORATION
Marina del Rey Anglers
is an important part of the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program devoted to the restoration of depleted California coastal fisheries. This program, mandated by the state legislature, is an experiment in mariculture, the breeding and rearing of fish and other ocean fauna in a marine environment. Marina del Rey Anglers maintains a grow-out facility at the end of Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey Harbor. The facility consists of two fiberglass raceways, enclosed by steel mesh gates that contain the fish and steel bar barriers that repel predators such as sea lions and diving birds. The program has concentrated on White Sea Bass since its inception in 1984. It has grown to twelve grow-out "pens", located from San Diego to Santa Barbara.Marina del Rey Anglers has released over 28,000 juvenile White Seabass into Santa Monica Bay in the last three years. It is currently rearing a batch of 2,580 that will be released in March of this year. Hatchlings about two and one half inches in length are delivered to the pens from the hatchery in Carlsbad, California. They are kept in the pens until they reach eight to ten inches. and are then released. The Marina del Rey fish are released in the harbor where biologists have determined there is an abundance of small fish as forage for them.
Construction and maintenance of the pens are funded by the Marina del Rey Annual Halibut Derby. Volunteers from the club and the community each spend one to two hours a week, brushing the sides and vacuuming the bottom of the pens, and filling the automatic feeders. The fish are fed fishmeal pellets to which nutrients have been added. Money to purchase the food is from the Ocean Enhancement Stamp on your fishing license.
When the program reaches its goal of 350,000 White Sea Bass released each year, it will then change to breeding and rearing Halibut to enhance that fishery. In another column, you will learn how to contribute your extra Halibut to the OREHP Program.
Your entry in the Marina del Rey Millennium 2000 Halibut Derby supports this vital conservation program which is returning White Seabass to the abundance of fifty years ago.
The fingerlings arrive looking like this at 4 inches.
DONATE YOUR
EXTRA HALIBUT
As we get closer to the goal of the White Sea Bass Program, which is 350,000 fish released per year, it becomes essential to concentrate on another species. The Hatchery at Carlsbad, California is working on stocking Halibut for the next phase. All Derby anglers are requested to save any extra fish for the broodstock pool.
You cannot weigh in Halibut less than 24 inches long. If you have any legal Halibut, 22 to 24 inches and you want to donate one or two of them, call on VHF Channel 72 to the "Hubbs Research Vessel." They will arrange a meeting to transfer the fish to their tank. They can also answer questions about the care of the fish prior to transfer.
Important! Remember…
- Do not let line or net split the caudal fin (tail).
- Do not lift the fish by the caudal peduncle (narrow place ahead of the tail).
- Do not put your finger in the gill slit to lift the fish.
- Preserve the mucous covering the fish (use plastic gloves or bags on your hands).
- Use circle hooks to facilitate removal
- If your bait tank is too small or crowded, a large cooler will work if you pour buckets of sea water into it.
If you donate a fish, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have greatly helped the hatchery provide fish for future.
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