Species

I recently posted about my time on Admiralty Inlet this weekend and reported I hooked into a dogfish.  Rory replied he thought dogfish didnt stick around for the winter months.  This got me thinking.  This last summer July 11 I was over at Westport with the inlaws and saw some of the Guide boats bring in their catch.  Not unusual till I spotted two Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) hanging from a guide sign.  I didnt think Dolphin made the journey up to these waters and the guides seemed surprised to see them as well.  I guess what I am trying to figure out is if this is a sign or attribute of the La Nina phenomenon.  Can one of our resident Biologists help me out with some Knowledge.

What's the question?   

Dolphinfish and other subtropical species this far north are generally the result of El Nino conditions, but any time off shore conditions bring warm enough water this far north some stray fish will follow.

http://www.pfeg.noaa.gov/research/climatemarine/cmffish/cmffishery2.html

As for the dogfish, I'd be surprised if some of them didn't stick around during the winter in deeper water. 

I guess my questions are, are there any other factors such as current flow we anglers could use to determine where the fish will be and at what time during El Nino and alike (such as Halibut)?  How much does the warmer current affect bottom feeders such as Ling's, Halibut, and Dogfish?
I would assume that it might push the haibut closer to shore sooner.  Wrong assumption?  I have read over and over the correct and prefered water temp for salmon, but i really havent come across alot of info on prefered bottom feeder habitats.

I'm more concerned with how it affects native species.  To catch a tropical species up here would be a blast but what is the trade off concerning the native species?  If warmer currents keep halibut away for longer periods of time is it even worth the combat fishing that occurs in May when the season opens?  Last year I went 0'fer 4 days and I'm wondering if there is a correlation?

What would the DFW do regarding regulations on said stray fish if caught in our area due to El Nino conditions? 

Is there a limit on them, specific baits or tackle limitations?  Or is it a free for all?   

I'm more concerned with how it affects native species.  To catch a tropical species up here would be a blast but what is the trade off concerning the native species?  If warmer currents keep halibut away for longer periods of time is it even worth the combat fishing that occurs in May when the season opens?  Last year I went 0'fer 4 days and I'm wondering if there is a correlation?

As for how changes in environment affect native species on a biologic level it can have noticed affects.  Researchers found and discovered the Pacific Decadal Oscillation by looking at salmon catches in Alaska and comparing them to those in Washington and Oregon so the affects of changes in currents do have profound effects.  Specifically with Coho when they are talking about marine survival and the impact to fisheries this is a big affect on this.  That said these phenomena have been happening for a very long time and the fish have persisted so the possibility of it causing the species to disappear is not likely without additional confounding facts. 

As for whether or not to fish when populations are low I can't say.  I do like catching but for me being on the water is the most important   Even during the low Coho years I still got out there to try.

What would the DFW do regarding regulations on said stray fish if caught in our area due to El Nino conditions? 

Is there a limit on them, specific baits or tackle limitations?  Or is it a free for all?   

ODFW has a section in their regs for offshore pelagic species that covers Mahi Mahi, Yellow tail and even marlin!!!!  I don't know the regs that well but I believe gear regs are standard marine fish rules and the limit is 25 fish per day.

What would the DFW do regarding regulations on said stray fish if caught in our area due to El Nino conditions? 

Is there a limit on them, specific baits or tackle limitations?  Or is it a free for all?   

WDFW has a catch all category (Other Food Fish) that limits anglers to 2 per day for fish like that.  Only limitations are the generic statewide gear restrictions, or specific MA restrictions.

These exotic species are caught most every year of late as more and more people venture out for TUNA! off shore.
When I was a kid there were not many sportsfishermen pursuing Albacore. Nowadays anytime after the first of July on any given decent day there are dozens of boats headed out of the Columbia, Depoe Bay, Newport and other ports off Oregon.
It's really the "Japanese current" that brings the warm water our direction in a normal year 25 miles and further offshore (though it varies greatly).
In an El Nino year the seas are generally warmer overall and there is more warm water near shore. In 1984 I caught my first TUNA! trolling for Silvers at the bell bouy off Winchester Bay.
I witnessed a 130# Striped Marlin being snagged in the Umpqua River off the Coast Guard Tower--that's right IN the Umpqua River!
Strange stuff happens. I have caught Yellowtail and seen Dorado caught off our shore. I have caught 5 or 6 peanut bluefin, and my friend Brad landed 108# Bluefin in I think 2000?
Last year water temperatures nearshore were actually too cold most of the time for good coho fishing--but we found 60 degree water 20 miles offshore and slayed the Albacore in July.
The coho runs were strong though--they just didn't feed much until late off our major ports when water temps were better.
In short...El Nino is very hard on our salmonid species--but warm water offshore in the Japanese current doesn't seem to have much impact on our salmon fisheries or groundfisheries.
La Nina seems to bring decent upwelling and good migratory conditions for smolt--but it's a mixed bag when it comes to catching coho and chinook nearshore.
That's my experience anyway!