In northern California’s Mendocino Management Area, when boat-based fishing is open, Section 27.30 (b)(2) of Title 14 CCR specifies that take of all species is ‘prohibited seaward of 20 fathoms.’ The regulation further provides that this 20-fathom depth constraint is described by the general depth contour (in other words, the actual depth of water, as one would see on a depth finder). The regulations that define allowable fishing depths can be confusing for anglers, because they are written differently depending on the RCA. Depth restrictions vary by management area, depending on which species are in need of protection. The RCAs were established to help protect and rebuild overfished stocks, by prohibiting groundfish fishing in places where these stocks are most frequently encountered. Since 2002, Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) have been used to close waters of certain depths to fishing for groundfish. We hope the explanation provided here will enable all California sportsmen and women to understand and follow the depth limit regulations. With the regulation changes have come questions from the public asking for clarification regarding how depths are defined. These changes provide more opportunity than before, opening areas that have been closed for many years. New recreational groundfish regulations went into effect in 2017, including changes to depth limits in some areas of the state. California Groundfish Management Areas map by CDFW Marine Region GIS Lab
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |