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Regs effective Nov 1 2012
#1
DFG Announces Changes to 2012 Ocean Sportfishing Regulations from Point Conception to the Mexico Border Effective Nov. 1



October 12, 2012

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is limiting fishing depths in the Southern Groundfish Management Area to reduce interactions with cowcod. DFG’s action follows a recommendation made by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) at its September meeting.

DFG has determined that cowcod take is projected to exceed the federal limit established for the non-trawl sector, which includes the recreational and commercial fixed gear fisheries, in 2012, unless in-season action is taken. Therefore pursuant to Section 27.20 of Title 14, DFG is limiting recreational groundfish fishing depths to 50 fathoms (300 feet) in the Southern Groundfish Management Area (34°27′ north latitude to the Mexico Border) effective on Nov. 1, 2012.

Cowcod are one of the largest rockfish species reaching a length of 37 inches and weight of 29 pounds; they range in color from orange to pale pink/white.

Cowcod cannot be taken or possessed by sport anglers in California. Possession was prohibited to facilitate rebuilding the stock when it was declared overfished in 1999. However, they are incidentally taken on occasion when anglers are targeting other species. By limiting bottom fishing activity for target species to only shallower depths it is anticipated that incidental take of cowcod will be reduced.

“Allowable take limits for cowcod are the lowest of all the West Coast groundfish managed by PFMC and these low limits pose the greatest constraint to Southern California anglers and a significant challenge to fishery managers,” said Paul Hamdorf, Acting DFG Marine Region Manager. “Implementing a 50-fathom depth constraint is expected to keep cowcod impacts within allowable limits and maintain conservation goals, while still providing anglers with fishing opportunities through the end of the year.”

Since being declared overfished, DFG and the Fish and Game Commission have worked closely with PFMC and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to implement protective measures for cowcod, including closing critical habitat (i.e., Cowcod Conservation Area) and prohibiting retention in most fisheries. Cowcod primarily occur in depths greater than 50 fathoms in Southern California, and are slow-growing and long-lived.

For more information regarding recreational groundfish regulations and to stay informed of in-season regulation changes, please call the Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulation Hotline at (831) 649-2801, or visit the DFG Marine Region website at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine.

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#2
What is the big deal with cow cod? I caught couple of them few years ago while on my 1 1/2 day fishing mexican water. Cow cod fillet look and taste just like any rock fish.
Eat what you kill !
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#3
its not the single angler that is the issue, it is commercial fishing that rapes and screw us all.
the fact of not being able to catch and keep doesn't bother me it saying i can not fish those waters.
Let God lead the way!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
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#4
The thing is, the commercial nets can't reach the levels that the cow cods are at from my understanding

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#5
(10-17-2012, 04:56 PM)Saltwater Bass Wrote: The thing is, the commercial nets can't reach the levels that the cow cods are at
The commercial net cannot reach them at the depths the full grown adults live at, but the gill nets at 3 miles can (and do) catch the juveniles. Gill nets were not banned in CA, but pushed 3 miles from shore. In areas where it gets deep slowly like of HB and LB, this has a huge impact on our fishery. Trawl nets with permits for ridiculous things such as "sea slugs" are able to keep everything they catch in their nets, and take them to market. Get a group of guys together and head down to the commercial warehouse in LA Harbor where all the commercial guys bring their catch. Huge slush bins filled with seabass, black seabass and halibut will make your head spin. I used to fish commercial seabass (rod and reel) and whenever I went in there it made me sick to my stomach. Its illegal to fish white seabass commercially from March 15 to June 15th, but go by the commercial warehouse on June 16th and look at all the dead seabass in slush bins. All caught by nets. Cow cod and all other species are captured in these nets, and whatever is not allowed to bring to market is thrown back to the sea......dead. Rod and reel guys have never made a dent in any of this compared to the nets. So why go after us anglers at all? It sets a "precedence", or an example to courts and policy makers of what steps have been successfully taken in the past leading up to their end game. What is their end game? Take a guess.
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#6
Very well said, one more point is long liners. and yes it is a money game. cut out 80% of the commercial nets and longliners make them go to Rod & Reel in 2 years you will see a big differents in the fish counts.
just my thoughts!!!
Let God lead the way!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
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#7
(10-17-2012, 09:14 PM)captjeffjones Wrote:
(10-17-2012, 04:56 PM)Saltwater Bass Wrote: The thing is, the commercial nets can't reach the levels that the cow cods are at

The commercial net cannot reach them at the depths the full grown adults live at, but the gill nets at 3 miles can (and do) catch the juveniles. Gill nets were not banned in CA, but pushed 3 miles from shore. In areas where it gets deep slowly like of HB and LB, this has a huge impact on our fishery. Trawl nets with permits for ridiculous things such as "sea slugs" are able to keep everything they catch in their nets, and take them to market. Get a group of guys together and head down to the commercial warehouse in LA Harbor where all the commercial guys bring their catch. Huge slush bins filled with seabass, black seabass and halibut will make your head spin. I used to fish commercial seabass (rod and reel) and whenever I went in there it made me sick to my stomach. Its illegal to fish white seabass commercially from March 15 to June 15th, but go by the commercial warehouse on June 16th and look at all the dead seabass in slush bins. All caught by nets. Cow cod and all other species are captured in these nets, and whatever is not allowed to bring to market is thrown back to the sea......dead. Rod and reel guys have never made a dent in any of this compared to the nets. So why go after us anglers at all? It sets a "precedence", or an example to courts and policy makers of what steps have been successfully taken in the past leading up to their end game. What is their end game? Take a guess.


End game? The MLPA and the new regulations will come together, closing off all fishing. Sounds about right correct?
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#8
end of the day yes your correct
Let God lead the way!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
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#9
I may be naive here, but you have to think that whatever they try to do can be reversed? I mean, if you can take public land and waters and make them off limits for people to use, can't another legislator do the same and reverse it later? Look at Rowe VS Wade.(sp?) Abortion is legal because of this landmark decision, but still it's being argued. So, if one group gets together and shuts all state waters down to fishing, can't we then "wake up" and raise the money to do the same in the other direction? I honestly don't know. I'd just rather have everyone see what is happening here and spend the time and effort to avoid having to go through the reversal process. Or am I wrong, and if (when) these complete closures happen are we out of luck?

Back to the subject. When the gill nets were moved 3 miles offshore, the rebound in our fish stocks was instantaneous. I remember, and was fishing a lot back then. Almost overnight we had whole new fisheries pop up. Seabass on the breakwall, halibut in LB Harbor. It was amazing. The fact that the scientists hide this amazing change after the gill nets were moved is devastating. I was recently told by a person that called me regarding the article I wrote and said "You only have two options. One, you get together more money than the opposition and buy your way out of this. Or two, you expose your opposition for what they are really trying to do, and their motives. This will embarrass them so badly that they just might quit the fight." He knew what the oppositions motives are, but would not say. He only said "the things that are happening today have been carefully planned for 10 years, and there is no stopping it." Scary stuff. All that was just before he told me to "be careful, you don't know who you are dealing with." It only made me want to dig deeper. So far, all I have gotten is warnings and not real information. Even with the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, the doors are being shut in my face. The forces that are trying to close our waters are far stronger than the DFG and environmentalists. (think BIG OIL) More on this as I get it.
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#10
Man this is just ridiculous
The way to a fishermans heart is through his fly
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