Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 180.1 - Spot Prawn (Pandalus Platyceros) Fishing

Spot prawns may only be taken by trawl nets for commercial purposes pursuant to subsection 120.3(g) of these regulations, or by traps, pursuant to sections 180, 180.2, 180.5 and this section.

(a) No trap may be used to take spot prawns from November 1 through January 31, between a line drawn due west from Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County and the United States -- Mexico boundary. No trap may be used to take spot prawns from May 1 through July 31 between a line drawn due west from Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County, and the California-Oregon boundary.

(1) Spot prawn traps may be set and baited no earlier than 0600 hours (6:00 a.m.) on January 31 in waters south of a line drawn due west from Point Arguello, and no earlier than 0600 hours (6:00 a.m.) on July 31 in waters north of a line drawn due west from Point Arguello.

(2) In areas in which the season closure begins November 1, all traps must be removed from the water prior to November 1, weather and sea conditions permitting. In areas in which the season closure begins May 1, all traps must be removed from the water prior to May 1, weather and sea conditions permitting. In the event that a permittee is unable to comply with this subdivision, then that person must notify the nearest department office via telephone or FAX and certified mail not later than 1600 hours (4:00 p.m.) on November 1 or May 1, whichever is applicable, stating the reason for the delay and the anticipated date of trap removal. Notification does not relieve the permittee of responsibility for complying with this subdivision unless approved by the department.

(3) All spot prawns taken in any trap during the closed season shall be immediately returned to the water and no spot prawn may be possessed aboard, or landed from, any vessel operating under authority of a spot prawn trap permit in any area during the closed season in that area.

(b) All spot prawn traps shall be made of mesh with a minimum inside measurement of 7/8 inch by 7/8 inch, such that a 7/8 inch square peg passes through the mesh without stretching the mesh. (Note: Fathom Plus Traps may be used to take spot prawns.)

(c) Trap Limits.

(1) Tier 1 and Tier 3 trap limits. Not more than 500 traps may be used from any Tier 1 or Tier 3 vessel to take spot prawns except that not more than 300 traps may be used from any Tier 1 or Tier 3 vessel to take spot prawns within three miles of the mainland shore between a line drawn due west from Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County, and the California-Oregon boundary.

(2) Tier 2 trap limits. Not more than 150 trap may be used from any Tier 2 vessel.

(d) Each buoy marking any spot prawn trap shall comply with marking requirements set forth in Section 180.5 of these regulations.

Notes

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 180.1

1. New section filed 11-14-95; operative 11-14-95 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 95, No. 46).
2. Amendment of subsections (a)-(a)(3) and and amendment of NOTE filed 9-19-97; operative 10-19-97 (Register 97, No. 38).
3. Amendment of section heading, section and NOTE filed 5-3-2000; operative 5-3-2000 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 215 (Register 2000, No. 18).
4. Editorial correction of NOTE (Register 2000, No. 28).
5. Amendment of subsection (a)(2), new subsection (e) and amendment of NOTE filed 7-14-2000; operative 7-14-2000 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 215 (Register 2000, No. 28).
6. Amendment filed 12-13-2004; operative 12-13-2004 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2004, No. 51).
7. Amendment of subsection (b) and NOTE filed 10-31-2005; operative 11-30-2005 (Register 2005, No. 44).
8. Amendment of subsection (d) and NOTE filed 10-28-2019; operative 10-28-2019 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2019, No. 44).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 711, 8591 and 9005, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 710.7, 711, 8140, 8590, 8591, 8593, 8594, 8595, 8842, 9000, 9001, 9004- 9008 and 9015, Fish and Game Code.

1. New section filed 11-14-95; operative 11-14-95 pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 202 and 215 (Register 95, No. 46).
2. Amendment of subsections (a)-(a)(3) and and amendment of Note filed 9-19-97; operative 10-19-97 (Register 97, No. 38).
3. Amendment of section heading, section and Note filed 5-3-2000; operative 5-3-2000 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section215 (Register 2000, No. 18).
4. Editorial correction of Note (Register 2000, No. 28).
5. Amendment of subsection (a)(2), new subsection (e) and amendment of Note filed 7-14-2000; operative 7-14-2000 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 215 (Register 2000, No. 28).
6. Amendment filed 12-13-2004; operative 12-13-2004 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2004, No. 51).
7. Amendment of subsection (b) and Note filed 10-31-2005; operative 11-30-2005 (Register 2005, No. 44).
8. Amendment of subsection (d) and Note filed 10-28-2019; operative 10/28/2019 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2019, No. 44).