Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 27.50 - Cowcod Conservation Areas

This Section applies to take and/or possession of federal groundfish species and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos. For specific definitions, applicability, and procedures, see sections 1.91 and 27.20. For size limits, bag and possession limits, and other regulations that apply to individual species, see specific sections beginning with Section 27.60.

(a) The Cowcod Conservation Areas are defined as ocean waters off southern California within each of the following two areas:

Area 1 is an area south of Point Conception that is bound by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

33° 50' N. lat., 119° 30' W. long.;

33° 50' N. lat., 118° 50' W. long.;

32° 20' N. lat., 118° 50' W. long.;

32° 20' N. lat., 119° 37' W. long.;

33° 00' N. lat., 119° 37' W. long.;

33° 00' N. lat., 119° 53' W. long.;

33° 33' N. lat., 119° 53' W. long.;

33° 33' N. lat., 119° 30' W. long.; and

33° 50' N. lat., 119° 30' W. long.

Area 2 is a smaller area west of San Diego that is bound by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

32° 42' N. lat., 118° 02' W. long.;

32° 42' N. lat., 117° 50' W. long.;

32° 36' 42" N. lat., 117° 50' W. long.;

32° 30' N. lat., 117° 53' 3" W. long.;

32° 30' N. lat., 118° 02' W. long.; and

32° 42' N. lat., 118° 02' W. long.

(b) Seasons and depth constraints (except as provided in subsection (c) below):

(1) Take and/or possession of the following federal groundfish species is authorized year-round in all depths:

(A) California scorpionfish

(B) "Other flatfish" as defined in subsection 1.91(a)(10)

(C) Petrale sole

(D) Starry flounder.

(2) For nearshore rockfish, as defined in subsection 1.91(a)(1), cabezon, all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos, lingcod, and shelf rockfish, as defined in subsection 1.91(a)(3):

(A) From January 1 through March 31, take and/or possession is prohibited in all waters of the Cowcod Conservation Areas, except as provided in subsection 27.50(c).

(B) From April 1 through September 15, take and/or possession is authorized in the Cowcod Conservation Areas shoreward of a line approximating the 40-fathom depth contour. The 40-fathom depth contour is defined by straight lines connecting the set of 40-fathom waypoints as adopted in Federal regulations ( 50 CFR Part 660 , Subpart G).

(C) From September 16 through December 31, take and/or possession is prohibited in all waters of the Cowcod Conservation Areas.

(3) Take and/or possession of the following species or species groups is prohibited year-round in all depths of the Cowcod Conservation Areas:

(A) Slope rockfish, as defined in subsection 1.91(a)(4)

(B) Leopard shark

(C) All federal groundfish species listed in Section 28.49

(D) Quillback rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod, and yelloweye rockfish.

(c) Special exceptions to subsection (b) above:

(1) Notwithstanding subsection 27.20(b)(1)(C), when angling from shore (includes beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks, and other man-made structures connected to the shore), only the species identified in subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2) above may be taken and/or possessed year-round. No vessel or watercraft (motorized or non-motorized) may be used to assist in the take, transport and/or possession of these species under this provision.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection 27.20(b)(1)(D), when diving or spearfishing, as authorized in Section 28.90, only the species identified in subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2) above may be taken and/or possessed year-round. Except for spearfishing gear, all other types of fishing gear are prohibited to be aboard the vessel or watercraft (motorized or non-motorized) when taking and/or possessing these species under this provision.

Notes

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 27.50

Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 205 and 265, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 200, 205, 265, 1802 and 7071, Fish and Game Code; and 50 CFR Part 660, Subpart G, Sections 660.350, 660.351, 660.352 and 660.360.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 205 and 265, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 200, 205, 265, 1802 and 7071, Fish and Game Code; 50 CFR Part 660 , Subpart G; and 14 CCR 27.20.

1. New section filed 1-18-2007; operative 1-18-2007 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(c) (Register 2007, No. 3). For prior history, see Register 2005, No. 10.
2. Amendment of subsections (a)-(b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4) and (c)(1) and amendment of Note filed 3-3-2009; operative 3-3-2009 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2009, No. 10).
3. Amendment of subsection (b)(2), new subsection (b)(2)(G), repealer of subsections (b)(3)-(b)(4)(F) and amendment of subsections (c)(1)-(3) and Note filed 6-9-2011; operative 6-9-2011 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2011, No. 23).
4. Amendment of subsection (b)(2)(A) and new subsection (b)(2)(H) filed 2-14-2013; operative 3-1-2013 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(A) (Register 2013, No. 7).
5. Amendment filed 3-10-2015; operative 3/10/2015 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2015, No. 11).
6. Amendment of subsections (a), (b)(2)(G) and (c)(1), new subsections (c)(1)(A)-(B) and amendment of Note filed 2-7-2017; operative 2/7/2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4) (Register 2017, No. 6).
7. Amendment of subsections (b)(1)-(2), repealer of subsections (c)(1)-(c)(1)(B) and subsection renumbering filed 1-2-2019; operative 1/2/2019 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(B) (Register 2019, No. 1).
8. Amendment filed 12-30-2022; operative 1/1/2023 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(B) (Register 2022, No. 52).
9. Amendment of subsections (b)(1) and (b)(3)(D) and amendment of NOTE filed 10-30-2023 as an emergency; operative 10/30/2023 (Register 2023, No. 44). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 4-29-2023 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.