Proposed File-and-Print Rulemaking Action: Conformance with Federal Commercial Groundfish Regulations in California State Waters

October 2, 2026

Proposed File-and-Print Rulemaking Action: Conformance with Federal Commercial Groundfish Regulations in California State Waters

Under current regulations, Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 150.16 establishes trip limits, or the amount of fish that may be taken, for nearshore rockfishFootnote [1] stocks (which are groundfish) in state waters. State waters are generally defined as the area extending three nautical miles (nm) from shore. Federal regulations, promulgated by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) govern the take of groundfish stocks, including nearshore rockfish, in federal waters (from three to 200 nm). Because the commercial groundfish fishery and the species they target occur in both state and federal waters, trip limits for nearshore rockfish are similar in both state and federal regulations.

The Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) may repeal or amend any regulation adopted pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 7652 or any other regulation to conform the regulation to federal regulations pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (“Act,” 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1801 et seq.) if the Director finds that this action is necessary to achieve optimum yield in California. Government Code, Title 2, Division 3, Part 1, Chapter 3.5 - “Administrative Regulations and Rulemaking” does not apply to Section 7652.2 of the Fish and Game Code.

Proposed amendments to Section 150.16 include increased trip limits for nearshore rockfish that optimize fishing opportunity. Specifically, take of quillback rockfish would once again be permitted, with a trip limit of 300 pounds per two-month period. For copper rockfish north of 34° 27' N lat. (Point Conception), the sub-trip limit would be removed. While the copper rockfish sub-trip limit of 75 pounds per two-month period would remain in place south of 34° 27' N lat., trip limits for all other nearshore rockfish groupsFootnote [2] and black rockfish north of 40° 10' N lat. (near Cape Mendocino) would increase by 1,000 pounds per two-month period.

These adjustments would align state regulations with federal regulations that are anticipated to be effective on or around January 1, 2027. The federal changes to these trip limits were made through a routine biennial process where past commercial fishery performance is measured against new population assessment and harvest limit information. Ultimately, these amendments are intended to increase opportunity where feasible and better achieve optimum yield, while ensuring the groundfish resource is managed in a sustainable manner. Additionally, consistent state and federal regulations for nearshore rockfish are intended to aid enforcement and reduce confusion among groundfish fishery participants as well as the public.

Footnotes

Back to text, footnote [1] Nearshore Rockfish, which means the following species of rockfish: black rockfish (Sebastes melanops), black and yellow rockfish (S. chrysomelas), blue rockfish (S. mystinus), brown rockfish (S. auriculatus), calico rockfish (S. dallii), China rockfish (S. nebulosus), copper rockfish (S. caurinus), gopher rockfish (S. carnatus), grass rockfish (S. rastrelliger), kelp rockfish (S. atrovirens), olive rockfish (S. serranoides), quillback rockfish (S. maliger), treefish (S. serriceps). Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 1.91.

Back to text, footnote [2] Includes minor nearshore rockfish north of 40° 10' N lat., shallow nearshore rockfish south of 40° 10' N lat. and deeper nearshore rockfish south of 40° 10' N lat.

Written Comment Period

Any interested person, or his or her authorized representative, may submit written comments on the proposed action to the Department. All written comments must be received by the Department via mail, or e-mail, no later than Tuesday, October 13, 2026, to the contact as follows:

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Regulations Unit
Attn: Chelle Temple-King
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
Email: Regulations@wildlife.ca.gov

Public Hearing

A virtual public hearing is scheduled as follows:
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual Hearing
Join the virtual public hearing (Microsoft Teams)
Meeting ID: 251 210 155 355 935
Passcode: EY69dE9k

The current rulemaking file for this proposal consists of the following documents:

June 8, 2023

This rulemaking is on hiatus until further notice.

March 6, 2023

Proposed File-and-Print Rulemaking Action: Conformance with Federal Commercial Groundfish Regulations in California State Waters

Under current regulations in Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 189, Commercial Groundfish Fishing, the Department incorporates federal regulations pertaining to the West Coast commercial groundfish fishery into state regulation and provides general definitions that apply to the West Coast groundfish fishery. Federal rules are specific to the fishery management zone off the three West Coast states, generally from 3 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles (i.e., Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ); however, the commercial groundfish fishery operates in both state waters (shore to 3 nautical miles) and the EEZ.

Proposed amendments to Section 189 would clarify that federal regulations are incorporated into state regulations and are applicable in state waters. The language would also specify that it is unlawful to take and retain, possess or land any fish in violation of the federal regulations, including violations of regulations extended to apply in state waters as specified in this section. Additionally, the changes would update and modify general definitions for consistency with terms defined in federal regulations and in statute. An additional definition is proposed for inclusion, which would establish that conservation areas are enclosed geographic areas defined by coordinates expressed in degrees latitude and longitude where the National Marine Fisheries Service may prohibit fishing, or limit fishing to particular gear types.

The proposed amendments to Section 189, Title 14, CCR are intended to aid enforcement efforts and to provide clarity to the groundfish industry and the public. Updated state contact information to attain copies of federal groundfish regulations is also proposed for inclusion.

The Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) may repeal or amend any regulation adopted pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 7652 or any other regulation to conform the regulation to federal regulations pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (“Act,” 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1801 et seq.) if the Director finds that this action is necessary to achieve optimum yield in California. Title 2, Division 3, Part 1, Chapter 3.5 of the California Government Code - “Administrative Regulations and Rulemaking” does not apply to Section 7652.2 of the Fish and Game Code.