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.
Current Classification on the List of Fisheries
Category |
II |
Estimated Number of Participants |
22 |
Target Species |
Yellowtail and white seabass, and secondarily 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. |
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, primarily south of Point Conception with some effort around San Clemente Island and San Nicolas Island.
Gear Description
Small mesh drift gillnets are up to 6,000 ft (1,829 m) long and are set at the surface. This is generally a night time fishery with nets usually set around sunset and hauled around sunrise. The mesh size depends on target species and is typically 6.0-6.5 in (15-16.5 cm). When targeting yellowtail and barracuda, the mesh size must be ≥3.5 in (9 cm); when targeting white seabass, the mesh size must be ≥6 in (15.2 cm). From June 16 to March 14 not more than 20 percent, by number, of a load of fish may be white seabass with a total length of 28 in (71 cm). A maximum of ten white seabass per load may be taken, if taken in gillnet or trammel nets with meshes from 3.5-6.0 in (9-15 cm) in length.
Management
This fishery is a limited entry fishery with various gear restrictions and area closures managed by the CA Department of Fish and Game. Targeting tuna with this type of gear was effectively prohibited in April, 2004, under the Pacific Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (HMS FMP).
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
2020 |
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2011 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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