Rockfish Closed Oct. 1st 2007 Pigeon Point North o Oregon Border

California Department of Fish and Game

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    07:070    Sept. 14, 2007

Contact:  John Budrick, Associate Marine Biologist, (650) 413-1501
   

DFG Announces Changes to the 2007 Recreational Fishing Regulations for
the Area from Pigeon Point to the Oregon Border Effective Oct. 1

The sport fishery for rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and greenlings will
close from Pigeon Point to the Oregon Border (North and North-Central
Management Areas) on Oct. 1.  Shore-based anglers and divers are not
affected by this action, announced the California Department of Fish and
Game (DFG). The closure will remain in effect through the end of the
calendar year. DFG approved these conforming fisheries management
measures following the adoption of similar regulations for federal
waters by the Pacific Fishery Management Council at their meeting on
Sept. 13, 2007. Seasons and other recreational fishing regulations will
remain in effect for these species in areas south of Pigeon Point (See
2007 California Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet, Sections
27.35-27.50).

Recreational catch estimates through July, and projected catches for
the remainder of the year, indicate that harvest guidelines will be
exceeded for canary and yelloweye rockfish (“overfished” species) if
these measures are not taken. Factors that led to the increase in
projected catches include redistribution of recreational fishing effort
to the northern areas where canary and yelloweye rockfishes are more
common, poor salmon catches resulting in salmon fishermen switching to
groundfish, and an increase in the daily catch rate per angler for
yelloweye and canary rockfish. Exceeding California’s recreational
harvest guidelines for these species could jeopardize rebuilding of
these species to healthy population levels.

“While we are aware that a shortened season will affect sport
anglers, we are also concerned that failure to take action at this time
would jeopardize the future rebuilding success for these important
“overfished” species,” said Marija Vojkovich, marine region
manager.

Under current management measures, the Director of DFG has the
authority to take in-season action deemed necessary to prevent catches
from exceeding federal harvest limits. As a result, beginning Oct. 1,
2007 the seasons and depth restrictions for boat-based anglers in the
Northern and North-Central Management Areas will include:

Northern Management Area (Oregon border south to 40°10' north latitude
near Cape Mendocino in Mendocino County): CLOSED - Fishing for rockfish,
cabezon, greenlings and lingcod is closed to boat-based anglers
beginning Oct. 1, 2007.

North-Central Management Area (40°10’ north latitude near Cape
Mendocino in Mendocino County to 37°11’ north latitude near Pigeon Pt.
in San Mateo County):  CLOSED - Fishing for rockfish, cabezon,
greenlings and lingcod is closed to boat-based anglers beginning Oct. 1,
2007.

Regulations for all Management Areas south of 37 degrees 11’ north
latitude:  Seasons remain as noted in the 2007 California Ocean Sport
Fishing regulations booklet.

For more detailed information about the action taken by the Pacific
Fishery Management Council visit www.pcouncil.org.

For more detailed information regarding recreational groundfish
regulations and to stay informed of in-season regulation changes, call
the Groundfish Hotline (831) 649-2801, or visit the Marine Region Web
site at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine.

Is a kayak a boat?

yep...btdt

This just in:
Recreational spearfishing experiences dramatic increase in popularity!

And this just in (from the future):
Monterey Bay rockfish populations suffer significant decline in 2008 after receiving greatly increased pressure after October 1 2007, prompting another early closure on an already limited season.

 
PK

Can you spearfish from your yak still, or do you have to do a beach entry?

Looks like it's time to head down to Ano for a little light tackle action 

 




scubamike maybe as long as you're not carrying rod&reel you're okay? can't imagine them cutting off transport options A lot of divers get there by boat

Yes!....You can spearfish from your kayak!
 I had just left the realm of spearfishing only to venture into kayak fishing when this happens.
I have been out 4 times in 4 weeks and had been descending into the madness with you lunatics only to get this cold splash of water from above.
Anyway, we stilll have a  longer time to go fishing down South before the hammer falls.
Then, its back to mainly spearfishing again and still eating rockfish all winter long!
We get to fish all year long!
Guys, as kayakers you're already ocean savy and used to wet suits, no? Make the rest of the journey and convert to diving . Its good for your health and you suddenly get to choose and select your prey instead of baking your brains in a little boat playing hit or miss and worrying about bad launches.
Turning over a kayak in the surf in full wetsuit is nothing and puts a whole new spin on things.
 Steve
PS See the next post of a tournament at Ocean Cove next month that was to feature kayak fishing as well. That part has been scratched of course and the rest remains!
Lotsa spearos go out in kayaks! And will all winter long!

This flyer should answer a few questions!

Shore-based anglers and divers are not
affected by this action, announced the California Department of Fish and
Game (DFG).

Does this mean shore-based anglers AND shore-based divers? Or can we dive from a kayak? This is loosely worded.

Shore based anglers in the tourney are land locked, kayak using divers are not...
Steve

scubamike maybe as long as you're not carrying rod&reel you're okay? can't imagine them cutting off transport options A lot of divers get there by boat
[/quote]

Thanks for the info. I guess its time to dust off the mask then

Once the closure is implemented Oct 1st, it will be completely legal to spearfish from a kayak...heck, you could spearfish from a Skipjack if you want. However, you cannot fish with a rod+reel (or bits o string) from a kayak.

One problem with the Randy Fry event poster. It lists Kayak Angling as a category. That ain't gonna happen, considering the closure. Maybe they're differentiating between spearing from a kayak VS spearing from a beach entry....but thats pretty far fetched.

Sounds like fun. Good luck!
PK

PK,
 They made the poster way before the closure news.
They have already put out an addendum to it.
 Steve

sure you can fish from your kayak as long as you are not targeting rockfish. i would try for perch, tuna, salmon, halibut, eels , rays, sharks etc.....

did someone say shark?