Proposed Amendments to §28.20, Title 14, CCR

Pacific Halibut

Fish and Game Commission MeetingDecember 3, 2014

Marine Region1

Photo: Edgar Roberts

California Allocation History Per PFMC’s Catch Sharing Plan

• 2001 through 2013 – California and Southern Oregon combined allocation of approximately 6,000 pounds per year

• 2014 – California given own subarea and is allocated 6,240 pounds

• 2015 – California allocation percentage to increase from one to four percent– Pounds not known until January International

Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) meeting2

3

2015 2A Total Allowable Catch (TAC)

Tribal Allocation:35 percent

Non-Tribal Allocation:65 percent

Commercial: 30.7 percent of non-Tribal

WA/OR/CA Sport:

OR/CA Border

Puget Sound Subarea

35.6 percent of Non-Tribal

29.7 percent of Non-Tribal

4.0 percent of Non-Tribal

Recreational Catch EstimatesSince 2008, CA has exceeded quota every year

4

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20140

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000Catch Estimate CA Sport Quota

Year

Poun

ds

Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) Action

• 2015 Council approved changes:– Increase California subarea

quota to four percent– Use of inseason monitoring

and management• Season dates will be set in

late January/early FebruaryPhoto: Melanie Parker 5

Proposed Amendments to §28.20, Title 14, CCR

• Align state regulations with federal gear restrictions– One line with no more than two hooks

• Allow use of harpoons to assist in landing legally caught Pacific halibut

• Anglers should refer to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific halibut telephone hotline for season open/closure dates

6

Department Involvement• Increased involvement at PFMC• Heightened constituent and community

involvement• Engagement at IPHC• Department collaboration with Humboldt

Area Saltwater Anglers• 2015 - New weekly catch reporting and

inseason management coordination with NMFS

• Redirected staff resources7

Thank You and Questions

8

Photo: Melanie Parker

Timeline for 2015 Regs

Sept Oct Nov Dec 2013/2014 Jan Feb Mar Apr May

IPHC sets final catch limits for

all areas

PFMC receives proposed

changes to CSP

PFMC adopts final changes to

CSP

IPHC recommends preliminary catch limits

FGC Adoption Hearing

CDFW holds public meeting to get

constituent input on 2015 seasonC

DFW

/ FG

CIP

HC

/ PFM

C

FGC Discussion

Hearing

New federal regulations in effect May 1

NMFS publishes 2015

regulations

9

FGC Notice

Hearing