Fish Report for 11-9-2012

Getting Rid of Pestering Gulls

11-9-2012
CDFG

Question: There is a video floating around of a local captain offering advice on how to get rid of pestering gulls. He ties sardines (no hooks) to each end of some monofilament line and goes on to explain that one gull will grab the bait, and then all the others will follow.

Is that legal? Seems like birds could get tangled up and die. Introducing mono into the sea also seems to be dangerous to the creatures there. Is this practice acceptable?

Answer: No, this practice is not legal. Intentionally putting monofilament line into the water is littering. It is also harassment of animals, which is prohibited by Title 14 Section 251.1. This provision defines harassment as an "intentional act which disrupts the animal's normal behavioral patterns, which includes but is not limited to breeding, feeding or sheltering." From what you describe, the whole point of this practice is to disrupt the gulls normal behavioral patterns.


< Previous Report Next Report >





More Reports

California Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, November 8th, 2012

Shooting ducks or geese while hunting for upland birds
Effects of Hunting Bears and Bobcats without Dogs


11-3-2012
The salmon ladder at Nimbus Hatchery in Rancho Cordova will open Nov. 5, signaling the start of the spawning season...... Read More