Fish and Game Commission Meeting December 11, 2013 Marci Yaremko State/Federal Fisheries Program Marine Region 1 Photo: Edgar Roberts

Presentation Overview Need for regulation change Proposed regulation changes Provide summary of Pacific halibut management process and 2014 changes 2

Assembly Bill 497 Part of Assembly Bill 497 (Chesbro), Chaptered September 6, 2013, provided for a new Fish and Game Code section: (a) The commission may establish by regulation an automatic process to conform its sport fishing regulations to federal regulations. 3

Proposed Amendments to §28.20, Title 14, CCR Repeal subsections 28.20(a)-(c), which specify season length, minimum size, and daily bag and possession limits. Add language to establish an automatic process to conform state regulations for Pacific halibut to relevant federal regulations and specify that the public will be informed.

Benefits of Auto-Conformance Reduce FGC and CDFW workload Eliminate redundant work Increase efficiency in state process Provide simpler rules and more clarity for constituents. Less opportunity for regulation “mismatch” 5

What Would We Conform To? Update on Management and Recent Council Actions Photo: NOAA fisheries 6

Management Pacific halibut managed internationally by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) –Conduct annual stock assessments –Annual harvest limits set by management area 7 Photo: Russell Black/IPHC

Management 8 31 million pounds for ,000 pounds CA sport 990,000 pounds 2A

Lead organization for Area 2A Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) – Framework for how 2A Total Allowable Catch will be divided among fisheries and sectors – Sets sport regulations Considers proposed changes to CSP on annual basis Pacific Fishery Management Council 9

Recreational Catch Estimates Since 2008, CA has exceeded quota every year 10

Trinidad Harbor Boat Launch 12 Photo: Edgar Roberts, CDFW

Shelter Cove Tractor Launch 13 Photo: Courtney Embry

Department Involvement in 2014 CSP Changes Two year process to get where we are now Working with Council, NMFS, other west coast states, and constituents Department actively participates in Council Workgroup and Policy Committees Department engaged the north coast community –Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers very involved 14

Pacific Fishery Management Council Action 2014 Council approved changes: –Create California only sport subarea and quota –Reduce season by one month Open May 1 - July 31 and Sept 1 - Oct 31 Photo: Edgar Roberts 15

CA Sport 1% Non-Tribal 31.7% Commercial OR/CA Sport WA Sport 36.6% Commercial WA Sport OR Sport 31.7% New CA Subarea 36.6% 30.7% A Halibut Allocations

Timeline for 2014 Regs Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2013/2014 Jan Feb Mar Apr May IPHC sets final catch limits for all areas PFMC proposes options to change CSP PFMC adopts final changes to CSP IPHC sets preliminary catch limits FGC Adoption Hearing CDFW holds public meeting to get constituent input on 2014 regulations CDFW/FGC IPHC/PFMC FGC Discussion Hearing FGC Notice Hearing New federal regulations in effect May 1 NMFS publishes 2014 regulations 17

Summary New FGC §205.1 Modify §28.20 of Title 14, CCR –Remove current language –Add language setting up process for automatic conformance with federal sport fish regulations Annual federal management process for Pacific halibut Changes to sport regulations for

Thank You and Questions 19 Halibut ‘n’ Chips photo: Melanie Parker, CDFW

Alternative Expected Catch California Alternative 1: Prohibit Retention halibut on Salmon or Groundfish Trips 1a. Prohibit halibut on salmon and groundfish trips 1b. Prohibit halibut on salmon trips 1c. Prohibit halibut on groundfish trips 16,187 17,988 20,423 Alternative 2: Days of the Week Data not sufficient/available to produce a projected estimate of expected catch Alternative 3: Season Structure 3a. May – July, Sep – Oct 3b. May – July 15, Sep – Oct 3c. May – June, Aug – Sep 3d. May – June, Sep – Oct 13,607 11,018 16,716 8,429 Alternative 4: MPA Savings Effective ,561 Alternative 5: Additional Time/Area Closures 5a. May, Sep – Oct 5b. July, Sep 5c. May – June, Oct 4,321 5,507 5,632 Alternative 6: Create Separate California Subarea 2013 SOH allocation 6,063 Average Catch 22,223 Harvest Goal: approx. 9,000 pounds to 13,000 pounds 20

Location of Catch Percentage State Waters 78% Federal Waters 22% 21 CRFS Sampled Catch 2004 to 2011 Del Norte Co. Humboldt Co. Mendocino Co.