DFG Announces Changes to 2008 Ocean Sportfishing Regulations from Point Arena to the Oregon Border

Contact:
John Budrick, DFG Marine Biologist (650) 339-0126
DFG Office of Communications (916) 322-8911

The recreational fishery for rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, greenlings and other groundfish will close effective Sept. 2 from Point Arena northward to the Oregon border. The emergency proposal, announced by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) on August 19, has been reviewed and approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL).

Current DFG catch projections indicate that allowing the boat-based rockfish season to remain open in this area would result in exceeding the low yelloweye rockfish harvest limit and could jeopardize stock rebuilding of this overfished species.

The closure will remain in effect through the end of the calendar year. Shore-based anglers and divers will be exempt from the action. The seasons and depth restrictions for boat-based anglers will be as follows:

• Northern Management Area (Oregon border south to 40° 10' N. latitude near Cape Mendocino in Humboldt County): CLOSED - Fishing for rockfish, cabezon, greenlings and other groundfish will be closed to boat-based anglers beginning Sept. 2, 2008.
• North-Central Management Area North of Point Arena (40° 10' N. latitude near Cape Mendocino in Humboldt County to 38° 57' N. latitude near Point Arena in Mendocino County): CLOSED - Fishing for rockfish, cabezon, cabezon, greenlings and other groundfish will be closed to boat-based anglers beginning Sept. 2, 2008.
• Regulations for all Management Areas south of 38° 57' N. latitude: Seasons will remain as defined in the California Marine Sportfishing Regulations for 2008 (sections 27.35-27.50).

During the closure, anglers may still target and retain halibut, surfperch, albacore, sanddabs and leopard sharks in Humboldt Bay and salmon in the Klamath River.

For more information about the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the federal agency responsible for setting harvest guidelines for groundfish, please visit www.pcouncil.org.

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