Humboldt Combo Day

Looks like you're right, Erik, that lingcod (one word!) are members of the greenling family, but the regs are clear enough for me.  I don't see myself taking 2 lings and 10 rockfish anyway, but I think that's the limit.  Thanks for the discussion.  

30.20 All DFG regulations authors are required to carry one head-in-ass.

30.30 All DFG regulations authors are limited to one head-in-ass, except when on-board a soft-hulled boat, then the following special limits apply:

A.  Regulations authors with brown-nosed subordinate on-board are allowed two heads-in-ass, except in the North Central Lingcod and Rockfish Management Area, where authors may already be used to foreign in-ass objects, there is no limit.

30.40. June 11th and September 24th (free fishing days).  Regulations authors are not required to carry head-in-ass on these days ONLY.

30.50 Regulations authors are required to write rules in a manner that maximizes obfuscation.  Clear and concise writing of rules is grounds for IMMEDIATE dismissal.

I’m 100% positive that the Lingcod limit is separate from the RCG.  As far as I know, its always been that way.  Anglers are safe coming to shore with 10 rockfish and 2 lings.

The DFG really needs to be more clear in their ever changing regs.

TECHNICALLY, you could catch 2 salmon, 3 butts, 5 surfperch, 2 lings, but only 8 rockfish in one day, since the daily limit is 20 fish in aggregate.

Stuart

I don't see lings SPECIFICALLY listed in the RCG complex and therefore they are not part of it.

Stuart,  pursuant to 30.50, that will never happen.  

Ok... I've been scratching my head over this... here's the regulatory explanation as far as I can see...

The 10-fish limit for RCG apply to fish included in the RCG complex as defined section 1.91.

1.91 (b) states...

“RCG Complex” means all species of rockfish (genus Sebastes), cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus), and kelp and rock greenlings (genus Hexagrammos).

So, it looks like Abking is right.  It looks like they are now managing Lings separately... sort of.

So the 10 fish limit for RCG includes sublimits for Boccacio, Cabazon, and Kelp or Rock Greenlings.. but the 2-fish Lingcod limit is over and above the 10 fish RCG limit.

Thanks for the discussion...  gotta love those California Regs... sorry for stirring the pot.

Erik

IM GLAD YOU GUYS FIGURED THAT OUT. I DID NOT KNOW AND NOW I KNOW

GTO19

Here's the official word from the DFG (I was 99.95% sure, so I sent an email):

Section 1.91(b) of Title 14, California Code of Regulations (found on page 19 of the 2005 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet) states:
 
"RCG Complex means all species of rockfish (genus Sebastes), cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus), and kelp and rock greenlings (genus Hexagrammos)."
 
So, while it's true that lingcod are members of the greenling family (Hexagrammidae), they are not members of the genus Hexagrammos, and are not included in the RCG Complex aggregate limit of 10 fish. You could legally possess 10 RCG species (9 rockfish and 1 cabezon, 9 rockfish and 1 greenling,  or 8 rockfish, 1 cabezon and 1 greenling) and 2 lingcod.
 
Good luck.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edgar W. Roberts III
Marine Biologist
California Department of Fish and Game
4665 Lampson Ave Suite C
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
562.342.7199    Office
562.342.7139    Fax
310.291.8862    Cell
eroberts@dfg.ca.gov

This kind of discussion occuring in the span of part of my work day is one of the beauties of this board.  Thanks to Erik for stirring it!  Without stirrers we'd be in a bad way!!    I'm an Eric too!

Think I saw this covered by warden mckiver at coastside a while back with the same conclusion.  Didn't get into a deep biological debate though, I think we may have a higher geekfactor than coastside.