New Groundfish Regulations

[kirkdavis]

Maybe I'm not looking in the right place, but I can't find anyone complaining about the new groundfish regulations. I have read it multiple times and come up with the same answer every time: FOR THE SOUTHERN AREA WE CAN ONLY HARVEST GROUNDFISH FROM APRIL 1 TO SEPTEMBER 15 IN WATER LESS THAN 300 FT. They just keep nibbling away at our rights to fish. I am a true believer in conservation of our natural resources, but our government is making way too many decisions based on the squeeky wheels rather than honest science.
I urge everyone to read the new regs. To me it is very confusing to have SO MANY regulations. Soon we'll only be able to keep mackerel.

[FoodGeekFish]

Originally Posted by kirkdavis

Maybe I'm not looking in the right place, but I can't find anyone complaining about the new groundfish regulations. I have read it multiple times and come up with the same answer every time: FOR THE SOUTHERN AREA WE CAN ONLY HARVEST GROUNDFISH FROM APRIL 1 TO SEPTEMBER 15 IN WATER LESS THAN 300 FT. They just keep nibbling away at our rights to fish. I am a true believer in conservation of our natural resources, but our government is making way too many decisions based on the squeeky wheels rather than honest science.
I urge everyone to read the new regs. To me it is very confusing to have SO MANY regulations. Soon we'll only be able to keep mackerel.

I'm not sure what source you're reading, but as I read the groundfish regs, take is allowed 4/1 to 9/15 at any depth. Take on nearshore RF is closed 9/16-3/31, take on shelf and slope RF is open beyond 300' for 9/16-12/31 and closed 1/1-3/31.

Nearshore RF - Black, Black and Yellow, Blue, Brown, Calico, China, Copper, Gopher, Grass, Kelp, Olive, Quillback RF and Treefish

Shelf RF - Bocaccio, Canary, Chilipepper, Dusky, Flag, Greenblotched, Greenspotted, Greenstriped, Harlequin, Honeycomb, Mexican, Pink, Redstripe, Rosethorn, Rosy, Shortbelly, Silvergray, Speckled, Squarespot, Starry, Stripetail, Tiger, Verm, Widow and Yellowtial RF

Slope RF - Aurora, Bank, Blackgill, Darkblotched, Redbanded, Rougheye, Sharpchin, Shortraker, Splitnose and Yellowmouth RF

Source: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocea...-Summary#south

[FoodGeekFish]

Also note that Sheephead are closed to boat based anglers 1/1-2/28 with a bag limit of 2, 12" minimum size.

[kirkdavis]

I was talking about the near shore because that is my kayak stomping grounds. we now have only five and a half months near shore to be able to keep rockfish.

[daperrin]

I didn't realize we couldn't fish for rock cod until April 1. I was thinking of heading out this weekend

And we use to be able to fish until Dec 31st I thought. What a bummer.

[FoodGeekFish]

Originally Posted by kirkdavis

I was talking about the near shore because that is my kayak stomping grounds. we now have only five and a half months near shore to be able to keep rockfish.

Ah, I see where I misinterpreted your statement, Kirk. I took it as suggesting that all rockfish harvesting was sub 300', and only March-September.

[AlwaysFishing]

And don't forget some species are no take from Sept 16th - Dec 31st. Copper, Treefish, and Cabezon for example.