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A new regulation adopted by the California Fish and Game which establishes a closure on the issuance of Nearshore Permits was approved by the Office of Administrative Law on October 13. According to Maria Melchiorre of the California Fish and Game Commission, during the 1999-2000 license year, a total of 1,130 permits were issued by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). "The DFG is considering restricted access because the fisheries are not stable. The number of participants needs to be reduced," said DFG Biologist Rob Collins. "These new regulations set the stage for the subsequent adoption of a formal nearshore fishery restricted access program. This program will reduce the number of permits issued in future years to a number consistent with the ability of the resources to sustain a harvest," said Melchiorre. According to the DFG Commission press release, commercial fishermen who held 1999-2000 Nearshore Fishery Permits have until March 31, 2001 to renew their permits for the 2000-2001 permits year. The new regulations also provide that effective April 1, 2001, applicants for the renewal of Nearshore Fishery Permits must have held such a permit during both the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 permit years, and must renew their permits by June 30 of each permit year. Applications received between July 1 and July 31 each year will be assessed a $50 late fee. Applications postmarked after July 31 each year will not be renewed. |
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"This action puts commercial fishermen on notice that initial participation in this fishery after December 31, 1999 does not guarantee their participation in a future restricted access program," said Melchiorre.
These commercial fishing permits are required for taking nine marine fish species including: black and yellow rockfish at a minimum of 10 inches, gopher rockfish at a minimum of 10 inches, kelp rockfish at a minimum of 10 inches, California scorpionfish or sculpin at a minimum of 10 inches, greenlings at a minimum of 12 inches, China rockfish at a minimum of 12 inches, grass rockfish at a minimum of 12 inches, California sheephead at a minimum of 12 inches, and cabezon at a minimum of 14 inches. Unless extended by the Fish and Game Commission, the closure will expire on March 31, 2002. |
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