Section 27.40 - Central Groundfish Management AreaThis 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 Central Groundfish Management Area means ocean waters between 37° 11' N. lat. (at Pigeon Point, San Mateo County) and 34° 27' N. lat. (at Point Conception, Santa Barbara County). Within the Central Groundfish Management Area, seasons and depth restrictions may differ north and south of a line extending west of 36° N. lat. (near Point Lopez, Monterey County). The areas north and south of this line are referred to as the Central Groundfish Management Area -- North of 36° N. lat. and the Central Groundfish Management Area -- South of 36° N. lat.(b) Central Groundfish Management Area -- North of 36° N. lat. Seasons and depth restrictions effective for all species of rockfish (except as specified in subsection 28.55(b)(1)), lingcod, cabezon, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos: (1) January 1 through March 31: Closed.(2) April 1 through April 30, October 1 through October 31 and December 1 through December 31: (A) Take or possession of species and species groups listed in subsections 1. through 3. is authorized seaward of a line approximating the the 50-fathom boundary line as defined by federal waypoints along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts. Take or possession of these species is prohibited shoreward of this line, except as provided in subsection 27.20(b). The 50-fathom boundary line is defined by straight lines connecting the set of 50-fathom waypoints as adopted in Federal Regulations ( 50 CFR Part 660, Subpart G). 1. Shelf rockfish, as defined in subsection 1.91(a)(3), except bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod, and yelloweye rockfish which may not be taken or possessed2. Slope rockfish, as defined in subsection 1.91(a)(4)(B) Nearshore species closure: Notwithstanding subsection 27.20(b)(1)(A), take or possession of nearshore rockfish as defined in subsection 1.91(a)(1), cabezon, and greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos is prohibited in all waters of the Central Groundfish Management Area -- North of 36° N. lat.(3) May 1 through September 30 and November 1 through November 30: Take or possession of all species of rockfish (except as specified in subsection 28.55(b)(1)), lingcod, cabezon, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos is authorized shoreward of the 20-fathom boundary line as defined in Section 35.00. Take or possession of all species of rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos is prohibited seaward of this line, except as provided in subsection 27.20(b).(c) Central Groundfish Management Area -- South of 36° N. lat. Seasons and depth restrictions effective for all species of rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos: (1) January 1 through March 31: Closed.(2) April 1 through June 30: Open for all species (except as specified in subsection 28.55(b)(1)) with no depth constraints.(3) July 1 through September 30: Take or possession of all species of rockfish (except as specified in subsection 28.55(b)(1)), lingcod, cabezon, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos is authorized shoreward of the 50-fathom boundary line as defined by federal waypoints along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts. The 50-fathom boundary line is defined by straight lines connecting the set of 50-fathom waypoints as adopted in Federal Regulations ( 50 CFR Part 660, Subpart G). Take or possession of all species of rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos is prohibited seaward of this line, except as provided in subsection 27.20(b).(4) October 1 through December 31: (A) Take or possession of species and species groups listed in subsections 1. through 3. is authorized seaward of a line approximating the 50-fathom boundary line as defined by federal waypoints along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts. Take or possession of these species is prohibited shoreward of this line, except as provided in subsection 27.20(b). The 50-fathom boundary line is defined by straight lines connecting the set of 50-fathom waypoints as adopted in Federal Regulations ( 50 CFR Part 660, Subpart G). 1. Shelf rockfish, as defined in subsection 1.91(a)(3), except bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod, and yelloweye rockfish which may not be taken or possessed2. Slope rockfish, as defined in subsection 1.91(a)(4)(B) Nearshore species closure: Notwithstanding subsection 27.20(b)(1)(A), take or possession of nearshore rockfish as defined in subsection 1.91(a)(1), cabezon, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos is prohibited in all waters of the Central Groundfish Management Area -- South of 36° N. lat.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 27.40
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; and 50 CFR Part 660, Subpart G.
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 (b)(1)-(3) 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. Repealer of former section 27.40 and renumbering of former section 27.35 to section 27.40, including amendment of section heading, section and Note, filed 6-9-2011; operative 6-9-2011 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(Register 2011, No. 23).
4. Amendment of section and Note filed 3-10-2015; operative 3/10/2015 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2015, No. 11).
5. Amendment of section and Note filed 2-7-2017; operative 2/7/2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4) (Register 2017, No. 6).
6. Amendment filed 1-2-2019; operative 1/2/2019 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(B) (Register 2019, No. 1).
7. Amendment filed 12-30-2022; operative 1/1/2023 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(B) (Register 2022, No. 52).
8. Amendment of subsections (b), (b)(2)-(3) and (b)(3)(A)1. 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.
9. Amendment filed 4-19-2024; operative 4/19/2024 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2024, No. 16).