Walking into a tidepool area provides a rich feast for our five senses. It is a strange and somewhat alien environment that can be enjoyed, yet needs a dose of regulatory and personal protection to remain sustainable.
Summertime is when more people get out into nature, so tidepools receive more visits than during the other three seasons combined. Tidepool sights are intriguing because we have underwater life, rocky intertidal life and shore life all gathered and interacting within a relatively small but fertile area.
The sounds can be almost deafening one moment when waves crash into and over the tidepools, then silent the next moment. Birds forage and claim their territories in as noisy a fashion as they possibly can.
Tidepool smells can assault and pleasure the nose all at once. There is often some rotting kelp, drying vegetation especially at low tides, and dead things about. All of which blend in with the salty aroma of the sea that we love so much.
Textures of all natures can be found at tidepools. As a kid, racing around looking at everything, I managed to get many cuts and scrapes from shells, rocks and prickly critters. The plants, invertebrates and fishes all have different feels to them, which is part of the exploratory fun.
Tidepools can be a good source of healthy dinners, which can be gathered by hand or in the case of fish, with rod and reel. I’ve always been pleasantly surprised by the size of fish that forage and feed in tidepools.
While giving our five senses over to the intrigues of tidepools, we need to be cognizant of their fragility and do what we can to protect them. It helps to research and know the rules governing harvest of plants and animals.
"Regulations that either prohibit or limit the collection of species like turban snails, hermit crabs and mussels are meant to protect our tidepools, which are full of fascinating life that's important to the marine ecosystem," said Craig Shuman, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Marine Region manager.
Individuals should not remove any animals from tidepools that they don't plan on keeping and should also be aware that even walking over some sensitive areas can unintentionally harm tidepool plants and animals.
"It is important to watch where you walk, not only to avoid unintentionally harming the myriad of sea life that call California's tidepools home, but to avoid an accidental fall," Shuman said.
Most species found in tidepools can only be collected by hand. The use of pry bars, knives or other devices to remove them from the rocks is not allowed.
There are also regulations that cover fish found in tidepools, which can only be taken by hook and line or hand. No nets or other devices can be used. Anyone who has seen their 16th birthday must have a current sportfishing license with ocean enhancement validation, which can be picked up at Hook, Line & Sinker fishing center, 4010 Calle Real, Santa Barbara.
Sustainability is the golden goal of wildlife management. We all want robust and abundant populations of flora and fauna, and many of us want to harvest our own food.
Taking healthy and natural food from nature as part of a well-managed wildlife plan keeps us feeling close to nature and motivated to put our volunteer time and our money into great habitat work like that being planned by Fish Reef Project.
— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
"feed" - Google News
August 14, 2020 at 06:00AM
https://ift.tt/3h9kX8h
Captain’s Log: Tidepools Feed the Five Senses - Noozhawk
"feed" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2z3xEQN
https://ift.tt/2yko4c8
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Captain’s Log: Tidepools Feed the Five Senses - Noozhawk"
Post a Comment