50 C.F.R. § 660.384 Recreational fishery management measures.
Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries
(a) General. Federal recreational groundfish regulations are not intended to supersede any more restrictive state recreational groundfish regulations relating to federally-managed groundfish. The bag limits include fish taken in both state and Federal waters. (b) Gear restrictions. The only types of fishing gear authorized for recreational fishing are hook-and-line and spear. Spears may be propelled by hand or by mechanical means. More fishery-specific gear restrictions may be required by state as noted in paragraph (c) of this section (e.g. California's recreational “other flatfish” fishery). (c) State-specific recreational fishery management measures. Federal recreational groundfish regulations are not intended to supersede any more restrictive State recreational groundfish regulations relating to federally-managed groundfish. Off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California, boat limits apply, whereby each fisher aboard a vessel may continue to use angling gear until the combined daily limits of groundfish for all licensed and juvenile anglers aboard has been attained (additional state restrictions on boat limits may apply). (1) Washington. For each person engaged in recreational fishing off the coast of Washington, the groundfish bag limit is 15 groundfish per day, including rockfish and lingcod, and is open year-round (except for lingcod). In the Pacific halibut fisheries, retention of groundfish is governed in part by annual management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries, which are published in the (i) Recreational Groundfish Conservation Areas off Washington. (A) Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is prohibited within the YRCA. It is unlawful for recreational fishing vessels to take, retain, possess, or land groundfish within the YRCA. The YRCA is defined by latitude and longitude coordinates specified at §660.390. (B) Recreational Rockfish Conservation Area. Fishing for groundfish with recreational gear is prohibited within the recreational RCA. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with recreational gear within the recreational RCA. A vessel fishing in the recreational RCA may not be in possession of any groundfish. [For example, if a vessel participates in the recreational salmon fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot be in possession of groundfish while in the RCA. The vessel may, however, on the same trip fish for and retain groundfish shoreward of the RCA on the return trip to port.] (1) Between the U.S. border with Canada and the Queets River and from May 22 through September 30, 2006, taking and retaining, possessing or landing, any rockfish or lingcod in the EEZ is prohibited, except on days when the Pacific halibut fishery is open in this area. Days open to Pacific halibut recreational fishing off Washington are announced on the NMFS hotline at (206)526–6667 or (800)662–9825. (2) Between the Queets River and Leadbetter Point, recreational fishing for rockfish and lingcod is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour from April 11, 2006 through June 15, 2006. Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour are listed in §660.391. (ii) Rockfish. In areas of the EEZ seaward of Washington that are open to recreational groundfish fishing, there is a 10 rockfish per day bag limit. Taking and retaining canary rockfish and yelloweye rockfish is prohibited. (iii) Lingcod. Recreational fishing for lingcod is open between the closest Saturday to March 15 through the closest Saturday to October 15. For 2005, the lingcod season will be open from March 12 through October 15. For 2006, the lingcod season will be open from March 18 through October 14. In areas of the EEZ seaward of Washington that are open to recreational groundfish fishing and when the recreational season for lingcod is open, there is a bag limit of 2 lingcod per day, which may be no smaller than 24 in (61 cm) total length. (2) Oregon—(i) Recreational Groundfish Conservation Areas off Oregon. Fishing for groundfish with recreational gear is prohibited within the recreational RCA, a type of closed area or GCA. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with recreational gear within the recreational RCA. A vessel fishing in the recreational RCA may not be in possession of any groundfish. [For example, if a vessel participates in the recreational salmon fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot be in possession of groundfish while in the RCA. The vessel may, however, on the same trip fish for and retain groundfish shoreward of the RCA on the return trip to port.] Off Oregon, from June 1 through September 30, recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited seaward of a recreational RCA boundary line approximating the 40–fm (73–m) depth contour. Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 40–fm (73–m) depth contour are listed at §660.391. Recreational fishing for all groundfish may be prohibited inseason seaward of the 20–fm (37–m) depth contour or seaward of a boundary line approximating the 30–fm (55–m) depth contour. If the closure seaward of the 20–fm (37–m) depth contour or a boundary line approximating the 30–fm (55–m) depth contour is implemented inseason, a document will be published in the (ii) Seasons. Recreational fishing for groundfish is open from January 1 through December 31, subject to the closed areas described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. (iii) Bag limits, size limits. The bag limits for each person engaged in recreational fishing in the EEZ seaward of Oregon are two lingcod per day, which may be no smaller than 24 in (61 cm) total length; and 6 marine fish per day, which excludes Pacific halibut, salmonids, tuna, perch species, sturgeon, sanddabs, lingcod, striped bass, hybrid bass, offshore pelagic species and baitfish (herring, smelt, anchovies and sardines), but which includes rockfish, greenling, cabezon and other groundfish species. In the Pacific halibut fisheries, retention of groundfish is governed in part by annual management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries, which are published in the (3) California. Seaward of California, California law provides that, in times and areas when the recreational fishery is open, there is a 20–fish bag limit for all species of finfish, within which no more than 10 fish of any one species may be taken or possessed by any one person. [Note: There are some exceptions to this rule. The following groundfish species are not subject to a bag limit: petrale sole, Pacific sanddab and starry flounder.] California state law may provide regulations similar to Federal regulations for the following state-managed species: ocean whitefish, California sheephead, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos. Kelp greenling is the only federally-managed greenling. Retention of cowcod, yelloweye rockfish, and canary rockfish is prohibited in the recreational fishery seaward of California all year in all areas. For each person engaged in recreational fishing in the EEZ seaward of California, the following closed areas, seasons, bag limits, and size limits apply: (i) Recreational Groundfish Conservation Areas off California. A Groundfish Conservation Area (GCA), a type of closed area, is a geographic area defined by coordinates expressed in degrees latitude and longitude. The following GCAs apply to participants in California's recreational fishery. (A) Recreational Rockfish Conservation Areas. The recreational RCAs are areas that are closed to recreational fishing for groundfish. Fishing for groundfish with recreational gear is prohibited within the recreational RCA, except that recreational fishing for “other flatfish” is permitted within the recreational RCA as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with recreational gear within the recreational RCA, unless otherwise authorized in this section. A vessel fishing in the recreational RCA may not be in possession of any species prohibited by the restrictions that apply within the recreational RCA. [For example, if a vessel participates in the recreational salmon fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot be in possession of rockfish while in the RCA. The vessel may, however, on the same trip fish for and retain rockfish shoreward of the RCA on the return trip to port.] (1) Between 42° N. lat. (California/Oregon border) and 40°10.00' N. lat., recreational fishing for all groundfish (except “other flatfish” as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 30–fm (55–m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from May 1 through December 31; and is closed entirely from January 1 through April 30 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the shoreline). Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 30–fm (55–m) depth contour are specified in §660.391. (2) Between 40°10' N. lat. and 36° N. lat., recreational fishing for all groundfish (except “other flatfish”) is prohibited seaward of the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from July 1 through December 31; and is closed entirely from January 1 through June 30 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the shoreline). Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour are specified in §660.391. Closures around the Farallon Islands (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) of this section) and Cordell Banks (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(D) of this section) also apply in this area. (3) Between 36° N. lat. and 34°27' N. lat., recreational fishing for all groundfish (except “other flatfish” as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from May 1 through October 31; and is closed entirely from January 1 through April 30 and from November 1 through December 31 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the shoreline). Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour are specified in §660.391. (4) South of 34°27' N. lat., recreational fishing for all groundfish (except California scorpionfish as specified below in this paragraph and in paragraph (v) and “other flatfish” as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 60 fm (110 m) depth contour from March 1 through December 31 along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts; except in the CCAs where fishing is prohibited seaward of the 20 fm (37 m) depth contour when the fishing season is open (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(B) of this section). Recreational fishing for all groundfish (except “other flatfish”) is closed entirely from January 1 through February 28 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the shoreline). Recreational fishing for California scorpionfish south of 34°27' N. lat. is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 60 fm (110 m) depth contour from July 1 through December 31, except in the CCAs where fishing is prohibited seaward of the 20 fm (37 m) depth contour when the fishing season is open. Recreational fishing for California scorpionfish south of 34°27' N. lat. is closed entirely from January 1 through June 30 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the shoreline). Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 60 fm (110 m) depth contour are specified in §660.392. (B) Cowcod Conservation Areas. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) boundaries are specified at §660.390. In general, recreational fishing for all groundfish is prohibited within the CCAs, except that fishing for “other flatfish” is permitted within the CCAs as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section. However, recreational fishing for the following species is permitted shoreward of the 20–fm (37–m) depth contour: minor nearshore rockfish, cabezon, kelp greenling, lingcod, California scorpionfish, and “other flatfish” (subject to gear requirements at paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section). [NOTE: California state regulations also permit recreational fishing for all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos shoreward of the 20–fm (37–m) depth contour in the CCAs.] It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish within the CCAs, except for species authorized in this section. (C) Farallon Islands. Under California state law, recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited between the shoreline and the 10–fm (18–m) depth contour around the Farallon Islands, except that recreational fishing for “other flatfish” is permitted around the Farallon Islands as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section. (Note: California state regulations also prohibit the retention of other greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos, California sheephead and ocean whitefish.) For a definition of the Farallon Islands, see §660.390. (D) Cordell Banks. Recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited in waters less than 100 fm (183 m) around Cordell Banks as defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates at §660.390, except that recreational fishing for “other flatfish” is permitted around Cordell Banks as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section. [Note: California state regulations also prohibit fishing for all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos, California sheephead and ocean whitefish.] (ii) RCG Complex. The California rockfish, cabezon, greenling complex (RCG Complex), as defined in state regulations (Section 1.91, Title 14, California Code of Regulations), includes all rockfish, kelp greenling, rock greenling, and cabezon. This category does not include California scorpionfish, also known as “sculpin. (A) Seasons. When recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open, it is permitted only outside of the recreational RCAs described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section. (1) North of 40°10.00' N. lat., recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from May 1 through December 31. (2) Between 40°10.00' N. lat. and 36° N. lat., recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from July 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through June 30). (3) Between 36° N. lat. and 34°27' N. lat., recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from May 1 through October 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through April 30 and from November 1 through December 31). (4) South of 34°27.00' N. lat., recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from March 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through February 29). (B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times and areas when the recreational season for the RCG Complex is open, there is a limit of 2 hooks and 1 line when fishing for rockfish. The bag limit is 10 RCG Complex fish per day coastwide. Retention of canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish and cowcod is prohibited. North of 40°10' N. lat., within the 10 RCG Complex fish per day limit, no more than 2 may be bocaccio, no more than 1 may be greenling (kelp and/or other greenlings) and no more than 1 may be cabezon. South of 40°10' N. lat., within the 10 RCG Complex fish per day limit, no more than 1 may be bocaccio, no more than 1 may be greenling (kelp and/or other greenlings) and no more than 1 may be cabezon. Multi-day limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip. (C) Size limits. The following size limits apply: bocaccio may be no smaller than 10 in (25 cm) total length; cabezon may be no smaller than 15 in (38 cm) total length; and kelp and other greenling may be no smaller than 12 in (30 cm) total length. (D) Dressing/Fileting. Cabezon, kelp greenling, and rock greenling taken in the recreational fishery may not be fileted at sea. Rockfish skin may not be removed when fileting or otherwise dressing rockfish taken in the recreational fishery. The following rockfish filet size limits apply: bocaccio filets may be no smaller than 5 in (12.8 cm) and brown-skinned rockfish fillets may be no smaller than 6.5 in (16.6 cm). “Brown-skinned” rockfish include the following species: brown, calico, copper, gopher, kelp, olive, speckled, squarespot, and yellowtail. (iii) Lingcod—(A) Seasons. When recreational fishing for lingcod is open, it is permitted only outside of the recreational RCAs described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section. (1) North of 40°10.00' N. lat., recreational fishing for lingcod is open from May 1 through November 30. (2) Between 40°10.00' N. lat. and 36° N. lat., recreational fishing for lingcod is open from July 1 through November 30 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through June 30 and from December 1 through December 31). (3) Between 36° N. lat. and 34°27' N. lat., recreational fishing for lingcod is open from May 1 through October 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through April 30 and from November 1 through December 31). (4) South of 34°27.00' N. lat., recreational fishing for lingcod is open from April 1 through November 30 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through March 31 and from December 1 through December 31). (B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times and areas when the recreational season for lingcod is open, there is a limit of 2 hooks and 1 line when fishing for lingcod. The bag limit is 2 lingcod per day. Multi-day limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip. (C) Size limits. Lingcod may be no smaller than 24 in (61 cm) total length. (D) Dressing/Fileting. Lingcod filets may be no smaller than 16 in (41 cm) in length. (iv) “Other flatfish”. Coastwide off California, recreational fishing for “other flatfish” is permitted both shoreward of and within the closed areas described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section. Recreational fishing for “other flatfish” is permitted within the closed areas, subject to a limit of up to 12 hooks, “Number 2” or smaller, which measure no more than 11 mm (0.44 inches) point to shank, and up to 2 lb (0.91 kg) of weight per line. “Other flatfish,” except Pacific sanddab and starry flounder, are subject to the overall 20–fish bag limit for all species of finfish, of which there may be no more than 10 fish of any one species. There is no season restriction or size limit for “other flatfish;” however, it is prohibited to filet “other flatfish” at sea. (v) California scorpionfish. California scorpionfish only occur south of 40°10.00' N. lat. (A) Seasons. When recreational fishing for California scorpionfish is open, it is permitted only outside of the recreational RCAs described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section. (1) Between 40°10.00' N. lat. and 36° N. lat., recreational fishing for California scorpionfish is open from July 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through June 30). (2) Between 36° N. lat. and 34°27' N. lat., recreational fishing for California scorpionfish is open from May 1 through October 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through April 30 and from November 1 through December 31). (3) South of 34°27.00' N. lat., recreational fishing for California scorpionfish is open from July 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 through June 30). (B) Bag limits, hook limits. South of 40°10.00' N. lat., in times and areas where the recreational season for California scorpionfish is open, the bag limit is 5 California scorpionfish per day. California scorpionfish do not count against the 10 RCG Complex fish per day limit. Multi-day limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip. (C) Size limits. California scorpionfish may be no smaller than 10 in (25 cm) total length. (D) Dressing/Fileting. California scorpionfish filets may be no smaller than 5 in (12.8 cm) and must bear an intact 1 in (2.6 cm) square patch of skin. [69 FR 77038, Dec. 23, 2004; 70 FR 13119, Mar. 18, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 16149, Mar. 30, 2005; 70 FR 20314, Apr. 19, 2005; 70 FR 23046, May 4, 2005; 70 FR 58071, Oct. 5, 2005; 70 FR 72389, Dec. 5, 2005; 71 FR 8497, Feb. 17, 2006; 71 FR 18229, Apr. 11, 2006; 71 FR 37844, July 3, 2006]
Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries
PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES
Subpart G—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries
§ 660.384 Recreational fishery management measures.
