CA Halibut, White Seabass and Other Species Set Gillnet (>3.5 in mesh) - MMPA List of Fisheries
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.
Current Classification on the List of Fisheries
Category |
II |
Estimated Number of Participants |
37 |
Target Species |
Halibut and white seabass |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans |
N/A |
Observer Coverage |
Observer coverage was discontinued in 1994 after area closures were implemented prohibiting gillnets within 3 nmi of the mainland and within 1 nmi 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 was: 5%, 10%, 13%, 15%, 8%, 0%, 0%, 0%, 0%, 4%, 2%, 0%, 0%, 0%, 0%, and 12.5% respectively. |
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.
Basis for Current Classification
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.
Distribution
Ranges from U.S./Mexico border north to Monterey Bay and is localized in more productive areas. The central CA 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 PBR for the Monterey Bay harbor porpoise stock). Effort occurs year round, while it generally increases during summer months and declines during last 3 months of the year.
Gear Description
200 fathom gillnet with stretch mesh size of 8.5 in (21.6 cm) for angel shark and halibut. Net soak duration is typically 8-10, 19-24, or 44-49 hours. Depth of water ranges from 15-50 (27.4-91.4 m) fathoms with most sets from 15-35 (27.4-64 m) fathoms. No more than 1,500 fathoms (2,743 m) of gill or trammel net may be fished in combination for California halibut and angel shark.
Management
The fishery is limited entry with gear restrictions and area closures, which managed by the CA Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). As of 2002, CDFG prohibits gillnet fishing in ocean waters that are 60 fathoms or less from Point Reyes to Point Arguello. Since 1990, set gill nets have been prohibited in state waters south of Point Arguello and within 70 fathoms or one mile, whichever is less, around the Channel Islands.
Historical Information
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 |
Timeline of Changes
2020 |
|
2011 |
|
2009 |
|
2006 |
|
2003 |
|
1999 |
|
1998 |
|