Groundfish Exclusion Areas (GEA)

This spatial data represents eight Groundfish Exclusion Areas located in the Southern California Bight. These new Conservation Areas were were established in NOAA's Amendment 50 CFR Parts 300 and 660 [Docket No. 231117-0273] RIN 0648-BM28 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; "The Groundfish Exclusion Areas (GEAs) are eight areas south of Point Conception intended to protect sensitive areas, including areas with coral and sea pens."1. Hidden Reef 2. West of Santa Barbara Island 3. Potato Bank 4. 107/118 Bank 5. Cherry Bank 6. Seamount 109 7. 43- Fathom Spot 8. Northeast Bank

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-660/subpart-C/section-660.70#p-660.70(t)

Federal Register/Vol. 88, No. 230/Friday, December 1, 2023

50 CFR Parts 300 and 660 Docket No. 231117-0273 RIN 0648-BM28 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 32; Modifications to Non-Trawl Sector Area Management Measures

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-12-01/pdf/2023-25905.pdf

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) proposed these closed areas with a goal of protecting corals, sponges and sea pens from contact with groundfish fishing gear, should the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) be repealed.

https://www.pcouncil.org/documents/2022/03/f-6-a-cdfw-report-1-propose-protection-areas-within-the-cowcod-conservation-area.pdf/

Groundfish Exclusion Areas (GEAs) are eight areas south of Point Conception, California intended to protect sensitive areas

This GIS data includes boundaries for the eight Groundfish Exclusion Areas. Because GIS projection and topology functions can change or generalize coordinates, these GIS files are considered to be approximate representations and are NOT an OFFICIAL record for the exact regulated area boundaries. For information on the official legal definition refer to theCode of Federal Regulations (eCFR §660.70(t)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-660/subpart-C/section-660.70#p-660.70(t)These data were produced by NOAA and are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. NOAA waives any potential copyright and related rights in these data worldwide through the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0 1.0)

Version 6.2 (Build 9200) ; Esri ArcGIS 10.8.1.14362