CA/WA Kelp, Seaweed, and Algae Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries
U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Current Classification on the List of Fisheries
Category | III |
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Estimated Number of Participants | 4 |
Target Species | Kelp, marine algae |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans | None |
Observer Coverage | None |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured | None documented |
Basis for Current Classification
Classified as a Category III fishery based on the lack of documented mortality or serious injuries of marine mammals based on the available data.
Distribution
Commercial harvesting for kelp, agar-bearing, and edible marine algae is allowed in California. The two species of kelp which are predominantly harvested are giant kelp and bull kelp. Giant kelp is the most common kelp species found along the southern and central California coast, whereas bull kelp becomes more abundant in northern California. Giant and bull kelp are managed through 87 administrative kelp beds along the California coast and the Channel Islands. Each of the 87 administrative kelp beds are designated as either: open (33 beds), closed (18 beds), lease only (3 beds) and leasable (31 beds, two beds are currently leased). California state marine parks and reserves prohibit all marine algae harvesting, some state marine conservation areas allow limited take. Regulations for commercial harvest of marine algae can be found in Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Section 165 and 165.5. There is a herring roe on-kelp-fishery in San Francisco Bay open from Dec 01 through March 31.
There is a herring roe-on-kelp fishery in Washington where kelp is harvested by hand from small vessels. The herring roe-on-kelp fishery occurs every year during the herring spawning season from late January until early June. The fishery takes place within the Puget Sound, with regulated area closures.
Gear Description
There are various methods used depending on if the harvest is for kelp, agar-bearing, or edible marine algae. Giant kelp may be harvested with a mechanical harvester with a Fish and Game Commission approved kelp harvest plan. Mechanical harvesters must avoid repetitive harvest from individual giant kelp plants, harvest of bull kelp from those portions of kelp beds that contain both giant and bull kelp, and harvest of giant kelp near sea otters rafting sites used by female sea otters with dependent pups. Giant may also be cut by hand. Bull kelp, agar-bearing and edible seaweed cannot be mechanically harvested. In the herring roe-on-kelp fishery, Macrocystis kelp is gathered and carefully placed in floating net pens or impoundments (pounds) in anticipation of a herring spawning event. Herring are seined, introduced to the pounds to spawn for about a week, and then released. The eggs stick to the kelp blades which are collected and layered with salt in totes.
Management
The commercial harvesting of kelp, agar-bearing, and edible marine algae in California is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. An annual commercial kelp harvester’s license is required. The license requires the applicant to choose the type of harvest they expect to participate in: kelp, agar-bearing algae, and edible seaweed. All commercial harvesters must submit monthly harvest reporting with any harvest royalties by the 10th of the month for the preceding month. Harvest reports must be submitted regardless if harvest occurred. Mechanical harvesters of giant kelp must submit a kelp harvest plan to the Fish and Game Commission for review and approval prior to mechanical harvesting. Bull kelp cannot be mechanically harvested. Giant and bull kelp harvesters operating under “kelp” regulations cannot cut attached kelp at a depth greater than 4 feet below the water surface but can collect unattached kelp. Harvesters of bull kelp for human food can harvest the entire individual and have an annual license limit of 2 tons wet weight. Bull kelp has a seasonal closure between April 1 – July 31 in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Beached bull kelp can be taken during the seasonal closure. Algar-bearing algae may be cut no closer than 2 inches to the holdfast, and removal or disturbance of the holdfast is prohibited. Edible marine algae may be harvested by cutting or picking. Drift or loose agar-bearing and edible marine algae may be harvested. The herring roe-on-kelp fishery in San Francisco Bay is a limited entry fishery. season is
In Washington, seaweed species of the genus Macrocystis is only allowed for harvesting for the herring spawn-on-kelp fishery, if approved by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The herring spawn-on-kelp fishery is a limited entry fishery.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) | III (1996) |
Original Number of Participants | 4 |
Basis for Original Classification | Listed as Category III based on the lack of documented mortality and serious injury of marine mammals based on the available data. |
Past Names | WA/CA kelp |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) | None |
Timeline of Changes
2022 |
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