Proposed 2024 Groundfish Regulation Change Summary (3/22/2024)

This revised regulation will be adopted at the FGC meeting on March 26, 2024.


1.   Season structure (See Table 1 for the summary)
        a.   In the Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, and the Central-North of 36° N latitude GMAs, the season structure is proposed as:
                • closed January through March;
                • open seaward of the 50-fathom boundary line for shelf rockfish, slope rockfish, and lingcod in April, October, and December; and
                • open shoreward of the newly-established 20-fathom boundary line in May through September, and November.

     b.   In the Central-South of 36° N latitude and Southern GMAs, the season structure is proposed as:
                • closed January through March;
                • open in all depths April through June;
                • open shoreward of the 50-fathom boundary line July through September; and
                • open seaward of the 50-fathom boundary line for shelf rockfish, slope rockfish, and lingcod October through December.

2.   Descending Devices: No person shall take or possess any federal groundfish as defined in Section 1.91 and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters without having a descending device in possession and available for immediate use to assist in releasing rockfish to the depth of capture.

3.   Quillback no take – 0 Bag limit
Quillback Identification Flyer: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=197176&inline

4.   Vermillion limit reduction to 2-sub bag limit in all areas except Northern Groundfish Management Area, which has a 4-sub bag limit.

Full Revised Proposed Regulatory Language - March 22, 2024: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=221409&inline

Staff Summary for March 26, 2024, FGC Meeting-Recreational Fishing Regulations for Federal Groundfish: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=221407&inline

March 26, 2024 California Fish and Game Commission meeting revised agenda: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=220116&inline

Visit the Non-Motorized Vessel Petition Website for additional information: https://paul95255.wixsite.com/non-motorized-vessel


Paul

I searched the web but can't find a map that shows the devide line between California Central-N and Cetral-S of 36degree.  Appreciate if someone can post it here.

Thank you, Paul.  I'm looking forward to that 3/26 final decision.

I searched the web but can't find a map that shows the devide line between California Central-N and Cetral-S of 36degree.  Appreciate if someone can post it here.

Referring to this:

Within the Central Groundfish Management Area, seasons and
depth restrictions may differ north and south of a line extending west of 36° N. lat. (near
Point Lopez, Monterey County). The areas north and south of this line are referred to as
the Central Groundfish Management Area – North of 36° N. lat. and the Central
Groundfish Management Area – South of 36° N. lat.
(b) Central Groundfish Management Area – N

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean It looks to me like the middle of Central is Lopez Point. 


Google earth shows 36 N is right about Limekiln SP

https://earth.google.com/web/search/point+conception/@35.99676735,-121.53962317,5.73682571a,35459.50790437d,35y,-0h,0t,0r/data=CmEaNxIxCiUweDgwOTI5YjRlZWM4OWQ3Njc6MHhlN2MwMmRiMmFhYTZmNmY0KghMaW1la2lsbhgCIAEiJgokCTaz3Ls2BEJAEVlSDZkJAUJAGRd2NrRiYl7AIdG77jg_Zl7AOgMKATA

I searched the web but can't find a map that shows the devide line between California Central-N and Cetral-S of 36degree.  Appreciate if someone can post it here.

Hi Sonny

I have attached a blown-up view of the 36° N latitude line.

Paul

Thanks Paul
I'm looking forward to eating some fresh rockfish 

I searched the web but can't find a map that shows the devide line between California Central-N and Cetral-S of 36degree.  Appreciate if someone can post it here.

Hi Sonny

I have attached a blown-up view of the 36° N latitude line.
Paul

Thanks Paul.  I am trying to find out if Monterey County is North or South of the 36° line.

Thanks Paul.  I am trying to find out if Monterey County is North or South of the 36° line.
[/quote]

It is North

I searched the web but can't find a map that shows the devide line between California Central-N and Cetral-S of 36degree.  Appreciate if someone can post it here.

Hi Sonny

I have attached a blown-up view of the 36° N latitude line.
Paul

Thanks Paul.  I am trying to find out if Monterey County is North or South of the 36° line.

Thanks again for the maps Paul.

I’ve been out of the loop so sorry if this question is out of sync.
I know that the 20 fathom limitation is much better than 50 fathom, but still that’s 120FOW. Most of the rock fishing we do is around 30-90 max. For folks like me (bay area) it means a lot of driving (and paddling) to get to legal fishing depths.

What am I missing?

I’ve been out of the loop so sorry if this question is out of sync.
I know that the 20 fathom limitation is much better than 50 fathom, but still that’s 120FOW. Most of the rock fishing we do is around 30-90 max. For folks like me (bay area) it means a lot of driving (and paddling) to get to legal fishing depths.

What am I missing?

I think you misunderstood the 20 fathoms regulation.  We can fish for RF within or <20 fathom line.

Got it! Thanks.

I read this and maybe someone can clarify the last month skipping October ?
"20-fathom boundary line in May through September, and November." ?
So October its closed ?

I read this and maybe someone can clarify the last month skipping October ?
"20-fathom boundary line in May through September, and November." ?
So October its closed ?

Oct is open at 50f or greater