


U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of interactions that result in incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Category |
II |
Estimated Number of Participants |
39 |
Target Species |
CA halibut, white seabass, angel shark |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans |
N/A |
Observer Coverage |
Observer coverage was discontinued in 1994 after area closures were implemented prohibiting gillnets within 3 nautical miles nm) of the mainland and within 1 nm of the Channel Islands. Monterey Bay was observed in 1999-2000, showing that take of harbor porpoise (Monterey Bay stock) exceeded PBR, which lead CDFG to prohibit set gillnets within 60 fathoms along the central CA coast. The estimated observer coverage from 1990- 2005, 2010-2012, was: 5%, 10%, 13%, 15%, 8%, 0%, 0%, 0%, 0%, 4%, 2%, 0%, 0%, 0%, 0%, 12.5%, 8%, 5.5% respectively. In 2017, observer coverage was estimated to be less than 10%. |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured |
California sea lion, U.S.; Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific; Harbor seal, CA; Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA1; Long-beaked common dolphin, CA; Northern elephant seal, CA breeding; Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA; Southern sea otter, CA |
^ Number of participants estimates are based on state and federal fisheries permit data. The estimated number of participants is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible. If this information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent information is available on the number of participants, then the number from the most recent LOF is used. NOAA Fisheries acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimations may be inflating actual effort.
*Observer coverage levels include the latest information reported in the most current final Stock Assessment Report (SAR).
1 Indicates the stock or species is driving the classification of the fishery.
The total mean annual mortality and serious injury of humpback whales (CA/OR/WA) in this fishery is greater than 1% and less than 50% of the stocks’ Potential Biological Removal (PBR) levels.
California halibut, white seabass, and angel sharks are the main species targeted. The fishery occurs year round in federal waters ranging from the U.S./Mexico border northward to Monterey Bay. Gill nets have not been allowed in California state waters within three nautical miles (nm) off the mainland, and within 1 nm or shallower than 70 fathoms (whichever is less) from the Channel Islands. Fishing effort occurs year-round; however, it generally increases during summer months and declines during the last three months of the year.
Set gillnets that rest on the ocean bottom are secured by anchors on either side, and marked at the surface with buoys containing the fisherman’s identification number. The corkline of these gillnets is also marked every 45 fathoms with the fisherman’s identification number. The nets can consist of 1-3 panels of webbing; they are known as trammel nets when more than one panel of webbing is used.
There are gear restrictions based on the species targeted and location of effort. The configurations used for catching California halibut and Pacific angel shark includes a net length of up to 1500 fathoms (9,000 ft.), with a minimum net mesh size of 8 ½ inches (21.6 cm). Off Santa Barbara County, the net length is a maximum of 1000 fathoms, but mesh size remains the same. White seabass are targeted with set nets with a minimum mesh size of typically 6 inches (15.24 cm); but during the period of June 16 to March 14, the mesh size can range from 3 ½ inches (8.89 cm) to 6 inches (15.24 cm).
This is a limited entry fishery with transferable permits managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Management includes use of size and catch limits, and mandatory logbook reporting. The placement of federal observers on vessels does occur from time to time. Other management measures include mandatory use of break-away and anchor features when using nets at certain depths and locations during specific times of the year. The central California portion from Point Arguello to Point Reyes has been closed since September 2002, following a ban on gillnets inshore of 60 fathoms, in response to fishery mortality exceeding Potential Biological Removal (PBR) for the Monterey Bay harbor porpoise stock.
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) |
III (1996) |
Original Number of Participants |
80 |
Basis for Original Classification |
Observer data from 1991-1993 indicated that the estimated annual mortality and serious injury of the harbor porpoise (Monterey Bay stock) as 31 animals, or 91% of PBR (PBR=34) |
Past Names |
CA angel shark/halibut and other species set gillnet (>3.5 in mesh) fishery (until 2009); CA angel shark/halibut and other species large mesh (>3.5 in mesh) set gillnet fishery (until 2003) |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) |
Harbor porpoise, central CA |
2022 |
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2020 |
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2011 |
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2009 |
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2006 |
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2003 |
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1999 |
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1998 |
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