The Commission voted unanimously to extend the locations and expand low-flow closure periods for streams along the north and central coast. The changes will prohibit fishing in specific streams, due to drought conditions, to protect native fish populations through April 30 when flows fall below a certain level.
The Commission also voted unanimously to take emergency action to amend regulations related to sub-bag limits for vermilion rockfish, quillback rockfish and copper rockfish to ensure consistency with federal regulations as recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The new regulations will establish a new one-fish sub-limit for both copper and quillback rockfish, within the 10-fish aggregate limit for rockfish, cabezon and greenlings, and the existing sub-limit for vermilion rockfish will be reduced from five to four fish. The changes are expected to take effect in early January.
The Commission authorized publication of notice of its intent to amend regulations related to recreational take and gear restrictions for clam, sand crab and shrimp; this would continue restrictions currently in place through an emergency regulation. The Commission also authorized notice of intent to adopt regulations related to the commercial harvest of kelp and other aquatic plants.
The Commission voted unanimously to adopt and amend regulations related to experimental fishing permits. The new regulations will establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for experimental marine fishing activities.
The Commission received the annual update on marine protected areas (PDF) (slide deck begins on page 12), including plans for the first decadal management review of the statewide network in early 2023.
The agenda for this meeting along with supporting information is available at fgc.ca.gov. An archived audio file will be available in coming days. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for February 16-17, 2022.
