Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 27.50 - Groundfish Exclusion Areas

This Section applies to take or possession of federal groundfish species and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos. For specific definitions, applicability, and procedures, see sections 1.91 and 27.20. For size limits, bag and possession limits, and other regulations that apply to individual species, see specific sections beginning with Section 27.60.

(a) The Groundfish Exclusion Areas are defined as ocean waters off southern California within each of the following eight areas:

(1) Hidden Reef is an area that is bound by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

33°46.14' N lat., 119°10.45' W long.;

33°46.14' N lat., 119°05.96' W long.;

33°41.40' N lat., 119°05.96' W long.;

33°41.40' N lat., 119°10.45' W long.; and

33°46.14' N lat., 119°10.45' W long.

(2) West of Santa Barbara Island is an area that is bound by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

33°33.64' N lat., 119°18.54' W long.;

33°33.64' N lat., 119°07.57' W long.;

33°27.90' N lat., 119°07.57' W long.;

33°27.90' N lat., 119°18.54' W long.; and

33°33.64' N lat., 119°18.54' W long.

(3) Potato Bank is an area that is bound by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

33°21.00' N lat., 119°53.00' W long.;

33°21.00' N lat., 119°45.67' W long.;

33°11.00' N lat., 119°45.67' W long.;

33°11.00' N lat., 119°53.00' W long; and

33°21.00' N lat., 119°53.00' W long.

(4) 107/118 Bank is an area that is bound by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

33°05.51' N lat., 119°41.29' W long.;

33°08.64' N lat., 119°36.71' W long.;

33°03.50' N lat., 119°31.69' W long.;

33°00.36' N lat., 119°36.27' W long.; and

33°05.51' N lat., 119°41.29' W long.

(5) Cherry Bank is an area that is bound by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

32°50.86' N lat., 119°29.40' W long.;

32°56.96' N lat., 119°19.82' W long.;

32°54.69' N lat., 119°17.78' W long.;

32°48.59' N lat., 119°27.35' W long.; and

32°50.86' N lat., 119°29.40' W long.

(6) Seamount 109 is an area that is bound by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

32°43.75' N lat., 119°37.00' W long.;

32°43.75' N lat., 119°34.29' W long.;

32°31.95' N lat., 119°26.94' W long.;

32°30.47' N lat., 119°29.71' W long.;

32°39.54' N lat., 119°37.00' W long.; and

32°43.75' N lat., 119°37.00' W long.

(7) 43-Fathom Spot is an area that is bound by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

32°42.00' N lat., 118°00.05' W long.;

32°42.00' N lat., 117°50.00' W long.;

32°36.70' N lat., 117°50.00' W long.;

32°36.18' N lat., 117°50.27' W long.;

32°36.18' N lat., 118°00.05' W long.; and

32°42.00' N lat., 118°00.05' W long.

(8) Northeast Bank is an area that is bound by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

32°27.39' N lat., 119°37.00' W long.;

32°27.39' N lat., 119°31.60' W long.;

32°20.00' N lat., 119°31.60' W long.;

32°20.00' N lat., 119°37.00' W long.; and

32°27.39' N lat., 119°37.00' W long.

(b) Take or possession of all federal groundfish species or species groups as defined in Section 1.91 are prohibited year-round in the Groundfish Exclusion Areas, except for the purpose of transit as provided in subsection 27.20(b)(1)(A).

Notes

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 27.50

Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 205 and 265, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 200, 205, 265, 1802 and 7071, Fish and Game Code; and 50 CFR Part 660, Subpart G, Sections 660.350, 660.351, 660.352 and 660.360.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 205 and 265, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 200, 205, 265, 1802 and 7071, Fish and Game Code; 50 CFR Part 660, Subpart G; and 14 CCR 27.20.

1. New section filed 1-18-2007; operative 1-18-2007 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(c) (Register 2007, No. 3). For prior history, see Register 2005, No. 10.
2. Amendment of subsections (a)-(b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4) and (c)(1) and amendment of Note filed 3-3-2009; operative 3-3-2009 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2009, No. 10).
3. Amendment of subsection (b)(2), new subsection (b)(2)(G), repealer of subsections (b)(3)-(b)(4)(F) and amendment of subsections (c)(1)-(3) and Note filed 6-9-2011; operative 6-9-2011 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2011, No. 23).
4. Amendment of subsection (b)(2)(A) and new subsection (b)(2)(H) filed 2-14-2013; operative 3-1-2013 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(A) (Register 2013, No. 7).
5. Amendment filed 3-10-2015; operative 3/10/2015 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2015, No. 11).
6. Amendment of subsections (a), (b)(2)(G) and (c)(1), new subsections (c)(1)(A)-(B) and amendment of Note filed 2-7-2017; operative 2/7/2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4) (Register 2017, No. 6).
7. Amendment of subsections (b)(1)-(2), repealer of subsections (c)(1)-(c)(1)(B) and subsection renumbering filed 1-2-2019; operative 1/2/2019 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(B) (Register 2019, No. 1).
8. Amendment filed 12-30-2022; operative 1/1/2023 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(B) (Register 2022, No. 52).
9. Amendment of subsections (b)(1) and (b)(3)(D) and amendment of NOTE filed 10-30-2023 as an emergency; operative 10/30/2023 (Register 2023, No. 44). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 4-29-2023 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
10. Amendment of section heading and section filed 4-19-2024; operative 4/19/2024 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2024, No. 16).
11. Amendment of subsection (b) filed 12-24-2024; operative 1/1/2025 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2024, No. 52).