Emergency white sturgeon and green sturgeon regulations will take effect on Monday, March 20, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announced today. Earlier this month, the Fish and Game Commission adopted emergency regulations that have now been approved by the Office of Administrative Law.

The following emergency regulations will be in effect:

?Ģ Zero (0) bag limit for green sturgeon year-round in all areas. ?Ģ For white sturgeon, no fish less than 46 inches total length, or greater than 56 inches total length, may be taken or possessed. As part of a plan to encourage the recovery of California's sturgeon spawning populations, DFG announced three meetings to gather public input on potential long-term sport fishing regulations for implementation in 2007. DFG's plan includes improving migration of sturgeon to spawning grounds, enhanced monitoring of sturgeon populations, and recently-adopted emergency fishing regulations that would temporarily reduce the harvest of spawning-age sturgeon.

The public meetings will begin with a brief introduction to sturgeon biology and recent regulatory action. The meetings will include discussion and suggestions from the public for potential sport fishing regulations that may replace or complement current long-term and temporary regulations.

The scheduled meetings are:

?Ģ Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area - Wednesday, March 22, 5 to 7 p.m., 45211 County Rd. 32B ?Ģ Colusa - Thursday, March 23, 5 to 7 p.m., Colusa Library 738 Market St. ?Ģ Antioch - Wednesday, March 29, 6 to 8 p.m., Ramada Inn, 2436 Mahogany Way