The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) adopted emergency regulations for the commercial coonstripe shrimp fishery and approved an experimental fishing permit (EFP) to test longlining gear in the Dungeness fishery, among other action affecting California’s natural resources at its February 12 - 13 meeting in Sacramento.
Emergency regulations were adopted for the commercial coonstripe shrimp (Pandalus danae) fishery to reduce the risk of whale entanglements in fishing gear.
The emergency regulations establish a management boundary at the Sonoma-Mendocino County border, a maximum depth limit of 30 fathoms for the northern fishery, a limit on the number of traps per ground line, a limit on vertical lines per vessel and a new control date of February 13, 2025. The control date may be used to determine future participation in the fishery; 14 vessels participated in the fishery in 2024, reporting a catch of almost 150,000 pounds.
The Commission approved an EFP application to test longlining gear in the California Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) fishery. This EFP would take place in spring and utilize a modified configuration of multiple traps connected by a groundline that is retrieved by a grapple, eliminating vertical lines that pose the risk of whale entanglement without use of pop-up gear. The EFP allows for up to 40 participating vessels while limiting the number of traps per vessel, traps per groundline and setting a seven-day trap service interval.
The Commission also approved a major amendment request to expand an experimental fishing permit testing pop-up fishing systems in the California Dungeness crab fishery. The maximum number of vessels that can be authorized to participate in the EFP was expanded from 10 to 40, with increases in the allowed number of traps per trawl and total per-trip traps, depending on a vessel permit’s trap tier; the trap service interval was also increased from four to seven days.
Commissioners approved CDFW’s request for a six-month extension to deliver the status review report on the petition to list white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) as threatened under CESA.
The extension is needed to further analyze and evaluate available science, undergo the peer review process, and complete the species’ status review report. CDFW anticipates receiving substantial comments and scientific information from tribes, stakeholders and other interested parties. The extension will also provide a minimum of 30 days for public review. The Commission must receive CDFW’s status review report, now due January 12, 2026, before making a final CESA listing decision.
After receiving a presentation on the development of the draft Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, commissioners discussed the draft plan that will be back to the Commission at its April meeting for further discussion before potential approval in June, as called for in the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act.
Established in 1870, the Commission marks its 155th year in 2025; it was one of the first wildlife conservation agencies in the U.S.
In the first meeting of the new year, Commissioner Erika Zavaleta was elected Commission president and Commissioner Samantha Murray vice president, swapping their 2024 posts in 2025.
The Commission moved to retain the past year’s Marine Resources, Wildlife Resources and Tribal Committee assignments — Murray and Commissioner Eric Sklar will continue to serve on the Marine Resources Committee, Zavaleta and Commissioner Darius Anderson on the Wildlife Resources Committee and Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin on the Tribal Committee.
Commission President Zavaleta, Vice President Murray and commissioners Sklar and Anderson participated in person, with Commission and department staff present throughout the meeting. Hostler-Carmesin was not in attendance for the first day of the meeting but was in attendance for the morning portion of the second day of the meeting.
The agenda for this meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the Commission website. Archived video of past Commission meetings is available online. The next California Fish and Game Commission meeting is scheduled to occur in Sacramento April 16 - 17, 2025. Participants can attend via Zoom, by phone or in person, with the specific location still to be determined. Once the meeting location has been determined, it will be posted to the Commission website.
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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications, (916) 204-1381