CA Yellowtail, Barracuda, White Seabass Drift Gillnet Fishery - 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.

West Coast

Current Classification on the List of Fisheries

Category	II
Estimated Number of Participants	20
Target Species	Yellowtail, white seabass and barracuda
Applicable Take Reduction Plans	N/A
Observer Coverage	Observer coverage for 2002, 2003, and 2004, was 11.5%, 10.4%, and 17.6%, respectively. There was no observer coverage in this fishery between 2004-2009. From 2010-2012, observer coverage was 0.7%, 3.3%, 4.6%, respectively. No coverage has been obtained since.
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured	CA sea lion, U.S.; Long-beaked common dolphin, CA; Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA

^ 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

Based on analogy to the Category II “CA halibut/white seabass and other species set gillnet (>3.5 in mesh)” fishery, which is classified as a Category II based on the level of serious injury or mortality of humpback whales (CA/OR/WA stock). The fisheries operate in similar areas and similar seasons, thus it is reasonable that either fishery may cause serious injury or mortality of humpback whales.

Distribution

The fishery operates year-round in federal waters (3-200 nautical miles or nm) primarily south of Point Conception, including effort around San Clemente Island and San Nicolas Island. The majority of effort takes place between 3-10 nm offshore.

Gear Description

Small mesh drift gillnets are up to 1,000 fm (6,000 ft) long. The net is deployed on the surface at night around sunset, and hauled around sunrise. The mesh size depends on the species targeted. When targeting yellowtail and barracuda, the mesh size must be ≥ 3.5 inches (9 cm). When targeting white seabass, the mesh size must be ≥ 6 inches (15.2 cm). The maximum mesh size allowed is 13.9 inches; however, it is very seldom that fishermen would use this size due to the fact that most of the targeted fish would swim through the net.

Management

This limited entry fishery is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) with gear restrictions and area closures in place. CDFW prohibits gillnet fishing in ocean water depths of 60 fathoms or less from Point Reyes to Point Arguello. A general gillnet permit and a commercial fishing license must be possessed by those who participate in this fishery. Completion of CDFW logbooks is mandatory.

Historical Information

Original Category (Year added to the LOF)	II (2003)
Original Number of Participants	24
Basis for Original Classification	Based on analogy with other drift gillnet fisheries and the potential to entangle marine mammals.
Past Names	CA yellowtail, barracuda, and white seabass drift gillnet (mesh size >3.5 in and < 14 in) (until 2008); CA yellowtail, barracuda, white seabass, and tuna drift gillnet (mesh size >3.5 in and < 14 in) (until 2007).
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list)	N/A

Timeline of Changes

2022	Estimated number of participants updated from 22 to 20.
2020	Estimated number of participants updated from 30 to 22.
2011	Added a superscript “2” after to denote that this fishery is classified by analogy to the Category II “CA halibut/white seabass and other species set gillnet (>3.5 in mesh)” fishery. The fisheries operate in similar areas and similar seasons, thus it is reasonable that either fishery may cause serious injury or mortality of humpback whales. Removed superscript “1” after long-beaked common dolphins (CA) in the list of species/stocks killed injured in this fishery. The level of mortality and serious injury of long-beaked common dolphins no longer exceeds 1% of the stock’s PBR. Estimated number of participants reduced from 24 to 30.
2008	NOAA Fisheries proposed to elevate this fishery to Category I based on observer documented interactions with long-beaked common dolphins (CA) in 2003-2004. The draft 2007 SARs reported 17 documented takes, with the estimated annual mortality was 9 dolphins, or 82 % of PBR (PBR= 11). However, during the public comment period for the draft 2007 SARs, errors in the observer coverage were found. The correct levels of observer coverage for 2002, 2003, and 2004, were 11.5%, 10.4% and 17.6%, respectively. Based upon these observer coverage levels, the revised mean annual serious injury or mortality of long-beaked common dolphins (CA) in this fishery is 4.7 animals/year, which is 43% of the stock’s PBR. Therefore, this fishery remained classified as Category II. Removed the superscript "2" after the fishery in the Table 1 on the LOF. The fishery is no longer classified by analogy to other drift gillnet fisheries, but is classified based on takes of long-beaked common dolphins (CA). Therefore, added a superscript "1" after long-beaked common dolphins (CA) indicating that takes of this stock are driving the classification of the fishery. Renamed "CA yellowtail, barracuda, and white seabass drift gillnet (mesh size ≥3.5in. and < 14 in.)" to be consistent with the minimum mesh size allowed in this fishery as defined by the CA Fish and Game Code.
2007	Renamed from “CA yellowtail, barracuda, white seabass, and tuna drift gillnet (mesh size >3.5 in and < 14 in)” fishery to "CA yellowtail, barracuda, and white seabass drift gillnet (mesh size >3.5in. and < 14 in.)" fishery because targeting tuna with this type of drift gillnet was effectively prohibited in 2004 under the HMS FMP.
2006	Added a superscript “2” after this fishery in Table 1, indicating that the fishery is classified by analogy.
2005	Added CA sea lion (U.S.), long-beaked common dolphin (CA/OR/WA), and short-beaked common dolphin (CA/OR/WA).