Protecting the Barred Sand Bass
Seasonal closures are needed to save a beloved species.
By: Dr. Brenton Spies, Conservation Ecologist and Fisherman
Barred Sand Bass. Photo: B. Spies
Fishing has been a lifelong passion of mine, woven deeply into the fabric of my personal and professional life. Growing up in Southern California, I spent countless hours fishing in the local waters that I know so well—whether it was casting for calico bass along the edge of dense kelp canopy, pulling up rockfish from deep rocky reefs, chasing yellowtail and bonito out at the islands, or working the sandy flats for barred sand bass (also called sandies or sand bass). Each of these fish offers a unique challenge and thrill, and the fight they give when hooked is something truly special. But it’s not just about the rush of the catch; it’s about understanding the importance of these species to our local ecosystems and the health of our fisheries. As a conservation scientist, I’ve dedicated much of my career to studying and preserving the delicate balance of marine life in these waters, and sandies, in particular, are a critical component in preserving this balance.
In recent years, a concerning shift in the abundance and availability of these fish has been documented. For many of us who have spent time fishing in these areas, we’ve noticed that sandies have become harder to find. Along with the rise in fishing pressure, the size and abundance of sand bass have dwindled, and many of the areas where these fish used to be abundant have seen a noticeable decline. Over time, the catch quality, especially near-shore, has also deteriorated. In fact, in some parts of the Los Angeles area, sandies are on the "do not eat" list due to high contaminant levels. This raises an even more urgent need to manage the species for long-term sustainability—not only for fishers but for the health of the ecosystem.
Sand bass caught and released from shore. Photo: K. Kazazian
As an experienced fisherman, I understand the challenges that shore-based fishers face when it comes to accessing their local fisheries. The species available to target have become much more limited over the decades, especially from piers and jetties. With the sand bass population now dwindling, there may be yet another species lost to future generations of fishers. Unfortunately, many of the species that fishers target—especially those that are closer to shore—remain understudied. There are very few stock assessments to support management decisions for these species, including sandies, and this is a gap we must address.
The data we do have on sandies are compelling. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, summer spawning aggregations, which were once easy to locate, are becoming much smaller and harder to find. These aggregations are a critical component of the species' life cycle and protecting them is a common-sense approach for the future of the fishery. Even though many of us have our secret go-to spots where sandies may still be doing well, the evidence from larger spawning aggregations and long-term fishery survey sites shows a different trend. The current proposal from the sportfishing fleet to reduce the bag limit from 5 to 4 fish, though a step in the right direction, will not have a significant enough impact. We’ve already seen a reduction in bag limits in 2013, and it hasn’t had the desired effect on the population. Simply reducing the limit by another fraction will not address the core issue at hand.
The real issue is the vulnerability of sand bass spawning aggregations during their peak breeding season. During this time, sandies are especially susceptible to being overfished, and once these aggregations are depleted, recovery is difficult. No fishery can thrive if spawning aggregations are consistently targeted. As we have learned from fisheries around the world, protecting these aggregations with a seasonal closure during critical reproductive periods is key to ensuring a healthy and sustainable population. This is the direction we need to move in for sandies—ensuring their protection during spawning seasons, even if it means sacrificing some short-term fishing opportunities.
The challenge we face is compounded by the uncertainties brought on by climate change. Our marine environments are rapidly shifting, and the risks to our fisheries are growing. The old ways of managing fisheries may no longer be sufficient. With the environment setting new limits, we must be more precautionary in how we manage marine species. Waiting for science to conclusively prove the need for conservation may put us on a path from which we cannot recover a fishery. As fishers and stewards of the ocean, we must take responsibility for reducing our impact and allowing the species to recover.
If we are successful in recovering the sand bass population, everyone benefits—fishers, marine ecosystems, and future generations. We can’t afford to ignore the signs and continue along a path that leads to a collapse. Protecting these spawning aggregations, even if it means temporarily reducing fishing opportunities, will safeguard the long-term health of the fishery. By not targeting sandies during their most vulnerable period, we invest in the future of this beloved fishery and ensure that these incredible fish will be around for years to come.
It’s clear that the solution lies not just in reducing bag limits but in making a meaningful effort to protect spawning aggregations during the critical breeding weeks with a seasonal closure. If we can protect the sandies during this time, we can ensure a viable, sustainable population for the future. I hope that those of us who study, manage, and love these fish can come together to create a strategy that ensures the survival and recovery of barred sand bass for generations to come.
