Effective July 30, 2015, the following tuna fillet regulations apply for all tuna species (yellowfin, bluefin, albacore, bigeye, and skipjack).
SOUTH of Point Conception (Santa Barbara County)
Note: Pacific bonito (Sarda chiliensis), Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), and other mackerels and jacks are NOT considered tuna and the following fillet-at-sea regulations are not applicable to these species.
- Subsection 27.65(b)(11) - FILLETING OF FISH ON VESSELS.
- (b) Fish That May be Filleted: No person shall fillet on any boat or bring ashore as fillets any fish, except in accordance with the following requirements: ...
- (11) For all species of tuna filleted on any boat or brought ashore as fillets south of a line running due west true from Point Conception, Santa Barbara County (34° 27' N. lat.) each fish must be individually bagged as follows:
- (A) The bag must be marked with the species' common name.
- (B) The fish must be cut into six pieces with all skin attached. These pieces are the four loins, the collar removed as one piece with both pectoral fins attached and intact, and the belly fillet cut to include the vent and with both pelvic fins attached and intact.
View an illustration of the South of Point Conception tuna fillet requirements (PDF) or watch a video of the fillet process, provided by Sportfishing Association of California.
NORTH of Point Conception (Santa Barbara County)
- Subsection 27.65(b)(12) - FILLETING OF FISH ON VESSELS.
- (b) Fish That May be Filleted: No person shall fillet on any boat or bring ashore as fillets any fish, except in accordance with the following requirements: ...
- (12) . . . Each fillet shall bear intact a one-inch square patch of skin. The fillets may be of any size.