KELLET’S WHELK Kelletia kelletii It’s historical range was Isla Asuncion (central Baja, Mexico) to Pt. Conception. In green. What one would expect from a warm temperate species. Recent range extension from Conception to Monterey. This snail is common subtidally to 70 m in depth year round on rocky reefs and gravel bottoms and below offshore kelp beds. Little known about population size and distribution, do not know duration of pelagic larval stage. Spawning April – July, reproductive maturity at ~6yrs, 60mm shell length (preliminary results). Photo. B. Hackett KELLET’S WHELK Kelletia kelletii

Biological Characteristics Primary Range: Baja to Pt. Conception Kelp forests and rocky reefs to 70 m Unknown population status Limited biological knowledge (unknown larval duration) Slow growth rates Spawning and feeding aggregations It’s historical range was Isla Asuncion (central Baja, Mexico) to Pt. Conception. In green. What one would expect from a warm temperate species. Recent range extension from Conception to Monterey. This snail is common subtidally to 70 m in depth year round on rocky reefs and gravel bottoms and below offshore kelp beds. Little known about population size and distribution, do not know duration of pelagic larval stage. Spawning May – July, reproductive maturity at ~6yrs, 60mm shell length (preliminary results). Photo. Pt.Lobos.com

Take of Kellet’s Whelk Incidental take in rock crab and lobster traps Commercial diving >1,000 ft beyond low tide mark Recreational take >1,000 ft beyond low tide mark 35 bag limit (general for invertebrates)

Kellet’s Whelk Commercial Landings and Individuals Making Landings

Emerging Fisheries FGC § 7090. Emerging Fisheries; Proactive Management 7090 (a) “…the commission, based upon the advice and recommendations of the department, shall encourage, manage, and regulate emerging fisheries.” 7090(b)(1) “…are related to a trend of increased landings or participants in the fishery and the degree of existing regulation of the fishery.”

Recommendation Designate fishery for Kellet’s whelk as an emerging fishery Direct staff to work with Department to develop simple regulations to ensure a sustainable fishery Season to protect spawning

Questions Captain Sir Henry Kellett

Distribution of Landings by Gear

2008 Individual Trap Landings of Kellet's Whelk Southern Rock Crab Trap Permit No Southern Rock Crab Trap Permit 61 trap based fishermen landed KW in 2008 Top trapper = 23% of catch 50% top 3 75% top 7 Southern rock crab trap permit 62% No Southern rock crab trap permit 38% Enforcement concerns

FGC §7090 Emerging Fisheries; Proactive Management (b) (1) A fishery that the director has determined is an emerging fishery, based on criteria that are approved by the commission and are related to a trend of increased landings or participants in the fishery and the degree of existing regulation of the fishery. (d) The commission, upon the recommendation of the department, may do either, or both, of the following: (1) Adopt regulations that limit taking in the fishery by means that may include, but not be limited to, restricting landings, time, area, gear, or access. These regulations may remain in effect until a fishery management plan is adopted. FGC 7090.docx

Status of the Fisheries Report 2008 Management Considerations “Subject to a rapidly expanding fishery, the harvest of Kellet’s whelks is not regulated by a minimum size limit, season, or any type of harvest quotas. Due to life history characteristics such as slow growth rates and aggregate feeding behavior, and the lack of knowledge on the impact of increased fishing rates, interim regulations should be implemented under a precautionary principle until a stock assessment can be completed.” “Establishing a minimum size limit of 3.0 inches (7.6 centimeters) in shell length to allow for successful reproduction prior to harvest, and a closed season from March through May to protect spawning aggregations would be beneficial to the fishery.” kelletswhelk status of fisheries report through 2008.pdf

2008 Individual Trap Landings of Kellet's Whelk 75% 50 38% Southern Rock Crab Trap Permit No Southern Rock Crab Trap Permit 61 trap based fishermen landed KW in 2008 Top trapper = 23% of catch 23 of 61 no Southern rock crab trap permit 38% 38 of 61 with Southern rock crab trap permit 62% 50% top 3 75% top 7

2008 Individual Catch Distribution Top 10 Kellet's Whelk Landings - SRCTP