Offshore New Rockfish Regs

[Halibut Howie]

I hope I'm reading the new Southern rockfish regs correctly. My interpretation (not a lawyer) is that the 9-Mile Bank is now OPEN.

April-Sep 15: any depth
Sep16-Dec 31: 300' and shoreward is illegal (no longer illegal to fish seaward from the 100F line)

To me that sounds Like I can fish anywhere on the 9-Mile Bank from April 1 until the end of the year.
Please be true cuz at 76 how many productive years do I have left? I have scores of old WPs there from the past there.

Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations

wildlife.ca.gov

HH

 

[Ahkhuang]

Yes, I get the same interpretation. Just need to release the nearshore species if you happen to catch them there. 50 fathoms not 100

 

[stormwater]

Not sure if I’m lookin at the map via their new arcgis interactive map correctly. But I’m looking at the Channel Islands in particular they seem to have drawn the 50 fathom line very generously in their favor. From what I can tell they put the line out to 100+ fathoms easily essentially closing rockfish at the islands for six months of the year now.

 

[4bruce]

It time to buy a an electric reel. Let see what under 2000 feet.

 

[Bend Session]

New Regs for 2023….
Southern Groundfish Management Area: Closed January 1 through March 31; Open April 1 through September 15 in all depths; Open September 16 through December 31 in waters seaward of the 50 fathom boundary line.

The Cowcod Conservation Areas, which are within the Southern Groundfish Management Area but with a discrete depth limit of 40 fathoms, will be closed January 1 through March 31 in all depths, open April 1 through September 15 in waters shoreward of the 40-fathom depth contour, and closed September 16 through December 31 in all depths

 

[Drew Stephens]

New Regs for 2023….
Southern Groundfish Management Area: Closed January 1 through March 31; Open April 1 through September 15 in all depths; Open September 16 through December 31 in waters seaward of the 50 fathom boundary line.

The Cowcod Conservation Areas, which are within the Southern Groundfish Management Area but with a discrete depth limit of 40 fathoms, will be closed January 1 through March 31 in all depths, open April 1 through September 15 in waters shoreward of the 40-fathom depth contour, and closed September 16 through December 31 in all depths

40 fathoms shoreward. That would mean the 40 fathom curve around the islands in the cowcod zone shoreward correct? This would not be including hidden bank?

 

[jer dog]

40 fathoms shoreward. That would mean the 40 fathom curve around the islands in the cowcod zone shoreward correct? This would not be including hidden bank?

 

[jer dog]

View attachment 1458516

It looks like these are making A come back.

 

[jiggermyster]

Maybe I'll get to use the TNT's again.

 

[Azarkon]

40 fathoms shoreward. That would mean the 40 fathom curve around the islands in the cowcod zone shoreward correct? This would not be including hidden bank?

40 fathoms = 240 feet, the same it's been for 2022... You can only fish under 240 feet.

The only difference is it's closed from September to April now.

 

[luckyjohn]

lets get old school - somebody show me sash weight and a 15 hook gangion

 

[stevefwolfe]

I don’t know where people got shoreward of the 40. April 1st to September 15 is any depth then September 16 to end of year is 50 line or 300 feet or DEEPER. This is for the southern area. There are some species closed after September 15th as well.

 

[Drew Stephens]

I don’t know where people got shoreward of the 40. April 1st to September 15 is any depth then September 16 to end of year is 50 line or 300 feet or DEEPER. This is for the southern area. There are some species closed after September 15th as well.

The cowcod areas have different regs. Closed first half open 40 fath shoreward the rest

 

[Wild West]

Not sure if I’m lookin at the map via their new arcgis interactive map correctly. But I’m looking at the Channel Islands in particular they seem to have drawn the 50 fathom line very generously in their favor. From what I can tell they put the line out to 100+ fathoms easily essentially closing rockfish at the islands for six months of the year now.

I am not seeing their defined 50 fathom lines on that map. I only see the 3 mile offshore lines which i don't think are meant to be the 50 fathom lines? Only thing I find are these list of waypoints in the link below that define the 50 F boundaries. Their interactive map would be a whole lot more useful if it showed these waypoint defined boundaries (unless I am missing it?).

Federal Register :: Request Access

 

[ShadowX]

I am not seeing their defined 50 fathom lines on that map. I only see the 3 mile offshore lines which i don't think are meant to be the 50 fathom lines? Only thing I find are these list of waypoints in the link below that define the 50 F boundaries. Their interactive map would be a whole lot more useful if it showed these waypoint defined boundaries (unless I am missing it?).

Federal Register :: Request Access

The definitions are controlled by the federal government. The 50 fathom lines won't go into effect until September in the Southern Management area. The San Francisco and Mendocino areas start at around May 15th to July 15th. Hopefully, the FAR boundaries would be defined by them. If not, just use the 60 fathom lines as the minimum depth limit to be on the safe side.

 

[sickcat]

I am not seeing their defined 50 fathom lines on that map. I only see the 3 mile offshore lines which i don't think are meant to be the 50 fathom lines? Only thing I find are these list of waypoints in the link below that define the 50 F boundaries. Their interactive map would be a whole lot more useful if it showed these waypoint defined boundaries (unless I am missing it?).

Federal Register :: Request Access

I believe all the boundaries are defined by waypoints. Using depth in the wording of the regs is just an easier way to communicate the gist of it.