Letter received from California Fish and Game

Thank you for taking the time to contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and for sharing your concerns regarding fishing activity occurring near the sea lion haul‑out area at Channel Islands Harbor. Protecting marine wildlife is a priority we take seriously, and I appreciate your commitment in partnering with us to help ensure the safety of these federally protected animals.

It may help to clarify why fishing is still occurring in this location. Under both federal and state law, the public maintains a legally recognized right to access and fish in navigable waters unless a formal closure or restricted zone has been established through an appropriate regulatory process. This framework is grounded in the Public Trust Doctrine, which requires the State of California to manage certain natural resources including tidal and navigable waters for public benefit, including uses such as fishing, navigation, and recreation.

At this time, no agency‑issued closure, buffer zone, or restricted‑access designation exists at Channel Islands Harbor that would lawfully prohibit fishing in proximity to the sea lion haul‑out. While California sea lions are fully protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the MMPA does not itself restrict fishing activity near marine mammals. Prohibitions apply only when conduct constitutes harassment or when an agency has formally enacted a specific exclusion or no‑approach zone.

CDFW can only issue fishing closures through formal emergency or regulatory processes when there is a verified public health hazard such as biotoxins or contamination events or an environmental spill or discharge that threatens human safety.

It is important to note that NOAA Fisheries (National Marine Fisheries Service) is the sole federal authority responsible for designating marine mammal haul‑out areas as exclusion zones or critical habitat under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. These federally established zones must be enacted through NOAA’s formal regulatory process, such as critical habitat designations around sea lion rookeries and haul‑outs.  See link:https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/report-violation

Additionally, if you or any member of the public observe harassment, disturbance, feeding, or any action that may violate the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it is important to report those incidents immediately to local law enforcement or the appropriate wildlife authorities (CDFW). Wildlife crime reports can be made through CalTIP, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s confidential reporting line, by calling 1‑888‑334‑2258 or texting “CALTIP” to 847411.

Timely reporting helps ensure that officers can respond, document the activity, and take appropriate enforcement action when necessary to protect the animals.

Thank you again for your engagement on this matter and for your dedication to protecting wildlife in our community. We appreciate your advocacy and your commitment to responsible stewardship of California’s natural resources.

Sincerely, 

Kevin Paredes

Warden – Ventura | Southern Enforcement District

California Department of Fish and Wildlife