Fishing 9-mile Bank

April 11, 2019

Question: In Southern California, the depth restrictions are being extended down to 75 fathoms (fm). For decades, the 9-mile bank off San Diego has been closed. There are portions of the 9-mile bank shallower than 450 feet, so it seems that those portions would now be open. However, when I read the wording, it refers to Code of Federal Regulations Title 50, Part 66 subpart C for definition of the 75 fm line. The most recent copy I could find was 2014 and it seemed like there were four zones for the 75 fm curve; coastal, Northern Channel islands, San Clemente and Catalina. The coordinates are all connect-the-dots. I did not connect the dots, but if the line is continuous, I would assume offshore banks are excluded, meaning the 9-mile bank will still be closed. Can you please clarify? (William H.)

Answer: Unfortunately, just as in the past, even the pinnacles or banks that occur offshore with high points that are shallow enough to fall within the maximum depth allowance are not legal to be fished. Therefore, the 14-mile bank, 9-mile bank, 60-mile bank, and all similar banks or shallow points beyond the federal waypoints boundary are still closed.