reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 9 - Beach Nets › Section 8807.

8807. In District 19, beach nets, the meshes of which are at least 1
1
/
2
inches in length, may be used to take smelt between September 1st and January 31st.
(Enacted by Stats. 1957, Ch. 456.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8830.

8830. “Trawl net” means a cone or funnel-shaped net which is towed or drawn through the water by a fishing vessel and includes any gear appurtenant to the net. Except as otherwise provided in this article, the use of trawl nets shall conform to federal groundfish regulations adopted pursuant to the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1801 et seq.).
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1048, Sec. 10. Effective September 26, 1983.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8831.

8831. It is unlawful for any person to use any trawl net with meshes which are less than 4
1
/
2
inches in length except as provided in this article or as provided by federal groundfish regulations adopted pursuant to the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C., Sec. 1801 et seq.).
(Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1048, Sec. 12. Effective September 26, 1983.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8832.

8832. Trawl nets and Chinese shrimp nets may be used in marine and brackish waters inside of the Golden Gate Bridge to take shrimp, oriental gobies, longjaw mudsuckers, plainfin midshipmen, and staghorn sculpin only in accordance with regulations which the commission may prescribe.
(Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1117, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8833.

8833. (a) In Districts 4, 19, 19A, 20, 20A, and 21, trawl nets or dragnets may not be possessed.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section, trawl nets and dragnets may be possessed, under such regulations as the commission shall prescribe, in Districts 4, 19, 19A, 19B, and 21.
(Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1155.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8834.

8834. It is unlawful to take or possess more than 500 pounds of crabs on any boat on which any type of trawl or drag net is carried or operated.
(Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1300, Sec. 14.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8834.1.

8834.1. It is unlawful for any person to possess salmon on board, or to land salmon from, a vessel on which exists any type of trawl net, except that salmon taken incidentally with other species with a trawl net may be possessed and landed if authorized to be taken incidentally pursuant to Section 663.10 of Part 663 of Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, pursuant to a permit issued by the department under Section 1022, or pursuant to both.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 477, Sec. 8. (AB 1573) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8834.5.

8834.5. South of a line extending due west, true, from Point Reyes, it is unlawful for any person on a vessel on which any type of trawl or drag net is carried or operated to take or possess Dungeness crab, as defined in Section 8275, or to transfer Dungeness crab to another vessel.
(Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 817, Sec. 13.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8835.

8835. In Districts 6, 7, and 10, trawl nets may be used in waters not less than three nautical miles from the nearest point of land on the mainland shore.
(Enacted by Stats. 1957, Ch. 456.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8836.

8836. In Districts 17, 18, and 118.5, trawl nets may be used in waters not less than three nautical miles from the nearest point of land on the mainland shore, including those portions of Monterey Bay, Estero Bay, and San Luis Obispo Bay which lie within those districts.
(Enacted by Stats. 1957, Ch. 456.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8837.

8837. It is unlawful to use or possess any trawl net that includes any bag or cod-end or modification thereof, other than a bag or cod-end of a single layer of webbing, except as authorized by Section 8496 or by the commission.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 483, Sec. 30. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8840.

8840. Chafing gear may be used or possessed but shall not be connected directly to the terminal, or closed, end of the cod-end. Except for chafing gear prescribed under federal groundfish regulations adopted pursuant to the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C., Sec. 1801 et seq.), all chafing gear shall have a minimum mesh size of six inches, unless only the bottom one-half, or underside, of the cod-end is covered by chafing gear, which may be of any size mesh.
(Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1048, Sec. 16. Effective September 26, 1983.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8842.

8842. (a) Trawl nets of a design prescribed by the commission may be used or possessed to take shrimps or prawns under a permit issued by the department under regulations adopted by the commission.
Sections 8831, 8833, 8835, and 8836 do not apply to trawl nets used or possessed under a permit issued pursuant to this section.
(b) Trawling for shrimps or prawns shall be authorized only in those waters of Districts 6, 7, 10, 17, 18, and 19 that lie not less than three nautical miles from the nearest point of land on the mainland shore, and all offshore islands and the boundary line of District 19A, except that in waters lying between a line extending due west from False Cape and a line extending due west from Point Reyes, trawling is allowed not less than two nautical miles from the nearest point of land on the mainland shore until January 1, 2008.
(c) When fishing for pink shrimp (Pandalus jordani) under a permit issued pursuant to this section, it is unlawful to possess in excess of 1,500 pounds of incidentally taken fish per calendar day of a fishing trip, except Pacific whiting, shortbelly rockfish, and arrowtooth flounder, which may be taken in any amount not in excess of federal regulations. No Pacific halibut and not more than 150 pounds of California halibut shall be possessed or landed when fishing under a permit issued pursuant to this section. When fishing for ridgeback prawn and spotted prawn under a permit issued pursuant to this section, it is unlawful to possess in excess of 1,000 pounds of incidentally taken fish per trip.
(d) Commencing January 1, 2008, the commission shall permit the taking of pink shrimp not less than two nautical miles from shore in waters that lie between a line extending due west from False Cape and a line extending due west from Point Reyes from the nearest point of land on the mainland shore, if the commission finds that, upon review of information from the federal groundfish observer program and other available research and monitoring information that it determines relevant, the use of trawl gear minimizes bycatch, will not damage seafloor habitat, will not adversely affect ecosystem health, and will not impede reasonable restoration of kelp, coral, or other biogenic habitats. The commission shall pay special attention to areas where kelp and other biogenic habitats existed and where restoring those habitats is feasible, and to hard bottom areas and other substrate that may be particularly sensitive to bottom trawl impacts in making that finding.
(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 721, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2005.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 10 - Trawl Nets › Section 8843.

8843. It is unlawful to use any trawl net with cod-end mesh less than 7
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/
2
inches in length and with a cod end less than 29 meshes long and a circumference of not less than 47 meshes in waters lying between one and three nautical miles from the mainland shore between a line running due west (270° true) from Point Arguello and a line running due south (180° true) from Point Mugu.
(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1370, Sec. 36. Effective October 27, 1992.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 11 - Dip Nets › Section 8870.

8870. Dip nets may be used subject to the following restrictions:
(a) In Districts 1, 1
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/
2
, 2, 3, and 4, dip nets may not be baited, and may not measure more than six feet in greatest breadth.
(b) In District 19, hand-held dip nets 30 feet or less in greatest breadth may be used. In that district dip nets may not be used within 750 feet of any pier, wharf, jetty, or breakwater, except to take anchovies, squids, and sardines for bait, and to take smelt.
(c) In District 20, hand-held dip nets 30 feet or less in greatest breadth may be used.
(Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 763, Sec. 7. Effective September 15, 1986.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 3 - Nets › ARTICLE 12 - Other Nets › Section 8890.

8890. Baited hoop nets not to exceed three feet in diameter may be used at any time in that portion of District 18 lying south of a line running east and west through Point Arguello and in District 19, to take rock crabs, red crabs, and yellow crabs only.
(Enacted by Stats. 1957, Ch. 456.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9000.

9000. (a) Except as expressly authorized in this article, no person shall use a trap to take any finfish, mollusk, or crustacean in the waters of this state for commercial purposes.
(b) Traps may be used to take finfish in ocean waters only as authorized by this article.
(c) Freshwater baitfish traps that are used as provided in Section 8463 are not subject to this article.
(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 431, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 2005.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9000.5.

9000.5. For the purposes of this article, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a) “Bucket trap” means a plastic bucket of five gallons or less in capacity.
(b) “Deeper nearshore species” means those finfish identified as deeper nearshore species in regulations adopted by the commission pursuant to Section 8587.1.
(c) “General trap permit” means a valid permit to take fish for commercial purposes issued pursuant to Section 9001 that has not been suspended or revoked.
(d) “Korean trap” means a molded plastic cylinder that does not exceed 6 inches in diameter and does not exceed 24 inches in length.
(e) “Nearshore species” means those finfish identified as such in regulations adopted by the commission pursuant to Section 8587.1.
(f) “Popup” means a mechanism capable of releasing a submerged buoy at a predetermined time.
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 431, Sec. 19. Effective January 1, 2005.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9001.

9001. (a) Finfish, mollusks, or crustaceans shall not be taken by a person with traps for commercial purposes in ocean waters except under a valid general trap permit issued to that person that has not been suspended or revoked.
(b) Any person who operates or assists in operating any trap to take finfish, mollusks, or crustaceans, other than lobster or Dungeness crabs, as defined in Section 8275, or who possesses or transports finfish, mollusks, or crustaceans on any boat, barge, or vessel when any trap is aboard, shall have a general trap permit issued to that person that has not been revoked or suspended while engaged in the activity.
(c) The fee for the general trap permit shall be thirty-five dollars ($35).
(d) This section does not apply to the taking of lobster under Section 9010 or to the taking of Dungeness crab under Section 9011.
(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 870, Sec. 48. Effective January 1, 1997.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9001.6.

9001.6. Hagfish may be taken under a general trap permit, if all of the following criteria are met:
(a) Korean traps and bucket traps may be used to take only hagfish under this article.
(b) No more than a total of 500 Korean traps or a total of 200 bucket traps may be possessed aboard a vessel or in the water or combination thereof.
(c) No permittee may possess both Korean traps or bucket traps and other types of traps aboard a vessel at the same time. When Korean traps or bucket traps are being used or possessed aboard a vessel, no species of finfish other than hagfish shall be taken, possessed aboard, or sold for commercial purposes.
(d) Popups shall not be used on buoy lines attached to Korean traps or bucket traps, and shall not be possessed by a commercial fisherman aboard a vessel when taking hagfish.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 431, Sec. 22. Effective January 1, 2005.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9001.7.

9001.7. Finfish, other than sablefish and hagfish, may be taken under a general trap permit if all of the following criteria are also met:
(a) Every person aboard the vessel possesses a valid general trap permit that has not been suspended or revoked.
(b) If nearshore species are present, at least one person aboard the vessel possesses a valid nearshore fishery permit and a nearshore fishery trap endorsement that has not been suspended or revoked.
(c) If deeper nearshore species are present, at least one person aboard the vessel possesses a valid deeper nearshore species fishery permit that has not been suspended or revoked.
(d) During the period from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise, finfish traps that are left in the water shall be unbaited with the door secured open. If, for reasons beyond the control of the permittee, all trap doors cannot be secured open prior to one hour after sunset, the permittee shall immediately notify the department.
(e) Popups shall not be used on buoy lines attached to finfish traps, and shall not be possessed aboard a vessel when taking finfish under a general trap permit.
(f) Trap destruction devices used on finfish traps shall conform to the current regulatory requirements for those devices pursuant to Section 9003 and as adopted by the commission.
(g) No finfish traps shall be set within 750 feet of any pier, breakwall, or jetty in District 6, 7, 17, 18, 19, 19A, 19B, 20, 20A, or 21.
(h) No more than 50 finfish traps may be used in state waters along the mainland shore.
(i) The mesh of any finfish trap used pursuant to this section shall measure not less than two inches by two inches.
(j) The following fish shall not be used as bait in finfish traps:
(1) Lobster.
(2) Crabs of the genus cancer, except rock crab, yellow crab, and red crab, as identified in Section 8282, which may be used as bait under the authority of a rock crab trap permit issued pursuant to Section 8282.
(3) Any other finfish or invertebrate to which a minimum size limit applies that is used or possessed in a condition so that its size can not be determined.
(k) Lobster may be possessed aboard or landed from any vessel on which finfish are also present, if every person aboard the vessel has a valid lobster permit that has not been suspended or revoked and complies with Article 5 (commencing with Section 8250) of Chapter 2, this article, and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 132, Sec. 174. (AB 1760) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9001.8.

9001.8. Sablefish may be taken under a general trap permit in ocean waters between a line extending due west true from Point Arguello in Santa Barbara County and the United States-Mexico international boundary line, if all of the following criteria are also met:
(a) The trap shall be six feet or less in its greatest dimension.
(b) The mesh of any trap used for sablefish pursuant to this section shall measure not less than two inches by two inches.
(c) The traps may be used only in waters 200 fathoms or deeper.
(d) No permittee may possess aboard a vessel at the same time, sablefish traps and any other commercial fishing gear, except that spot prawn traps may be possessed during spot prawn trap open fishing periods as established by the commission and if the permittee has a valid spot prawn trap vessel permit that has not been suspended or revoked.
(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 431, Sec. 24. Effective January 1, 2005.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9002.

9002. (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), it is unlawful to willfully or recklessly disturb, move, or damage any trap that belongs to another person and that is marked with a buoy identification number pursuant to Section 9006.
(b) A person, who has been issued a general trap permit under Section 9001 and has it in his or her possession, may pull or raise a trap marked with a buoy, if the buoy is marked with a buoy identification number pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 9006. A person pulling or raising a trap marked with a buoy identification number, other than his or her own buoy identification number, shall have written permission in his or her possession from the other person who holds the buoy identification number that is marked on the buoy.
(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to employees of the department while engaged in the performance of official duties.
(d) (1) Subdivision (a) does not apply to publicly employed safety personnel, including, but not limited to, lifeguards, marine safety officers, harbor patrol officers, and peace officers, who, while engaged in the performance of their official duties, may remove a trap, buoy, or line located in or near breaking surf or adjacent to a public beach if they believe that the trap poses a public safety hazard. If any of those persons remove a trap, a buoy, or a trap or buoy line, any captured marine life shall be immediately returned to the ocean.
(2) Any person described in this subdivision who removes a trap and any attachments thereto identified by a buoy identification number shall make an attempt to contact the person whose permit or license number is marked on the buoy by personal contact, by telephone, by recorded message left on a telephone answering machine, by regular United States Postal Service, or by other means, advising where the property is located. Those persons shall have no responsibility to secure the trap or attachments against loss or damage.
(3) Employees of the department may disclose the name, address, and buoy identification numbers of currently permitted or licensed persons to representatives of public safety agencies described in this subdivision to assist in the return of traps and attachments to their proper owners or operators.
(4) If the person whose permit or license number is marked on the buoy has been notified pursuant to this subdivision but has not retrieved the trap within seven days of notification, or if that person cannot be identified within seven days after the trap has been removed, the trap may be discarded.
(5) This subdivision does not create any duty on any state or local agency to remove or move a trap, line, or buoy that may endanger the public safety and does not create any liability pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 814) of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1047, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9003.

9003. Every trap shall have at least one destruction device which meets specifications approved by the department. In order to minimize the adverse effects on living marine resources, the specifications for destruction devices shall provide for a device that destructs rapidly enough to facilitate escape of a substantial proportion of all species confined in the trap from any trap that cannot be raised.
(Amended (as added by Sec. 20) by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1271, Sec. 23.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9004.

9004. Every trap shall be raised, cleaned, serviced, and emptied at intervals, not to exceed 96 hours, weather conditions at sea permitting, and no trap shall be abandoned in the waters of this state.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1271, Sec. 20.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9005.

9005. Every trap or string of traps shall be marked with a buoy. The department shall implement regulations by January 1, 2020, requiring standardized gear marking for those fisheries in which the department determines it is appropriate. As part of the regulations, the department shall establish a fee for each fishery requiring standardized gear marking pursuant to this section and shall set and adjust each fee in an amount to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation costs of the department relating to the standardized gear marking requirement.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 985, Sec. 11. (SB 1309) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9006.

9006. Every trap used to take finfish or crustaceans shall be marked with a buoy. Each buoy shall be marked to identify the operator as follows:
(a) For a trap used to take lobster the commercial fishing license identification number followed by the letter “P.”
(b) For a trap used to take Dungeness crab or hagfish, the commercial fishing license identification number only.
(c) For a trap used to take finfish other than sablefish or hagfish, the commercial fishing license identification number followed by the letter “Z.”
(d) For a trap used to take sablefish, the commercial fishing license identification number followed by the letter “B.”
(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 431, Sec. 25. Effective January 1, 2005.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9007.

9007. Any trap used without a buoy, or with a buoy which is not marked pursuant to Section 9006, is a public nuisance and shall be removed from the waters of this state by any person authorized to enforce this code.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1271, Sec. 20.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9008.

9008. Any trap used in violation of this code, or any regulations adopted pursuant thereto, is a public nuisance and, except as provided in Section 9007, shall be seized pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 8630) of Chapter 3.
(Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1271, Sec. 20.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9010.

9010. (a) Subject to Article 5 (commencing with Section 8250) of Chapter 2, spiny lobster may be taken with lobster traps under a lobster permit issued pursuant to Section 8254.
(b) Notwithstanding Sections 8660 and 8665, lobster traps may be used in any area of the state not otherwise closed to the taking of lobsters up to, but not closer than, 75 feet of any private pier, wharf, jetty, breakwater, or dock.
(c) A wire lobster trap shall be built of rectangular wire mesh with inside mesh measurement not less than 1
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/
2
inches by 3
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/
2
inches, the 3
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/
2
-inch measurement to be parallel to the floor of the trap. A wire lobster trap shall be fitted with at least one rigid rectangular escape gap with an inside vertical measurement not less than 2
3
/
8
inches at all points and an inside horizontal measurement of not less than 11
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/
2
inches at all points. The horizontal sides of the escape gap shall be located parallel to, and the escape gap within 2
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/
8
inches of the floor on any outside wall of, the rearmost chamber of the lobster trap and shall be clearly accessible to the lobsters.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (c), wire may be used to hold the escape gap in place that reduces the inside vertical or horizontal measurement of the escape gap specified in subdivision (c), but only if all of the following requirements are met:
(1) The overall diameter of the wire, including any coating on the wire, shall measure less than 0.176 inches in diameter (the diameter of 7 SWG gauge wire using the Standard Wire Gauge (SWG) standard of measurement).
(2) A maximum of one wire wrap shall be located on each vertical side of the escape gap.
(3) A maximum of two wire wraps shall be located on the bottom horizontal side of the escape gap.
(4) Wire shall not be used on the top horizontal side of the escape gap.
(5) Each wire shall be tightly wrapped against the inside surface of the escape gap and shall not pass over the inside surface more than once. As used in this paragraph, “tightly wrapped” means no space exists at any point between the wire and the inside surface of the escape gap.
(e) A lobster trap constructed of lath or other material shall have an opening to allow a means of escape along the full length of one side of the rearmost chamber. The escape opening shall be of a spacing of not less than 2
3
/
8
inches, and the spacing shall be located parallel to, and within 2
3
/
8
inches of, the floor of the lobster trap.
(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 565, Sec. 2. (AB 291) Effective January 1, 2011.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9012.

9012. (a) No vessel may be used to take and land crab for both commercial and sport purposes in the same day.
(b) In Districts 6, 7, 8, and 9, no trap shall be used to take Dungeness crab if that trap is attached to another trap or other traps by a common line.
(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 973, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 1995.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9015.

9015. (a) Subject to Article 18 (commencing with Section 8590) of Chapter 2, prawns or shrimp, as defined in Section 8590, may be taken with prawn traps or shrimp traps under a general trap permit issued pursuant to Section 9001.
(b) A prawn trap or a shrimp trap shall be six feet or less in its greatest dimension. Every opening from the exterior to the interior of a prawn trap or a shrimp trap shall be five inches or less in any dimension.
(Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1271, Sec. 20.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9020.

9020. (a) Subject to Section 8400, California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis), mudsuckers (Gillichthys mirabilis), yellowfin gobies (Acanthogobius flavimanus), shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata), and staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) may be taken with baitfish traps under a general trap permit issued pursuant to Section 9001.
(b) A baitfish trap shall not exceed 12 inches in width, 12 inches in height, and 36 inches in greatest length with entrance at small ends of funnels or fykes not to exceed 2 inches in diameter.
(Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1009, Sec. 12.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9022.

9022. (a) Notwithstanding Section 9000, traps used to take fin fish may not be used in Districts 10, 11, and 12, except for bait fish traps as provided for in Sections 8400 and 9020.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (a), all marine species of fin fish subject to Section 8403 may be taken with one or more fin fish traps as prescribed by the commission under a general trap permit issued pursuant to Section 9001.
(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1370, Sec. 37. Effective October 27, 1992.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9023.

9023. (a) Traps may be used throughout the year to take carp in any district under the restrictions set forth in subdivision (b).
(b) Traps shall not exceed six feet in greatest dimension. They shall be made of cotton or nylon twine. Meshes shall not be less than three and one-half inches in length, except that fyke and bait bags may be any size mesh. Traps shall have only a single vertical fyke opening at the top of the trap. They shall be baited only with grain or grain products. Fish other than carp taken in traps subject to this section shall be immediately returned to the water.
(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 193. Effective January 1, 2007.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 1 - Traps › Section 9024.

9024. Crayfish traps may be used at any time in any district to take crayfish only. Traps shall not exceed three feet in greatest dimension. Any other species taken with crayfish traps shall be returned to the water immediately. The commission may prohibit the use of crayfish traps which will injure fish or which will entrap unnecessarily large numbers of fish other than crayfish.
(Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1442, Sec. 20.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 2 - Fishing Lines › Section 9025.1.

9025.1. The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the best interest of the people of the state and California’s marine resources and fisheries that the use of commercial hook and line fishing gear be regulated in a manner that assures the orderly development of the fisheries, maintenance of viable resources, and sustainable and satisfying commercial and recreational harvests.
(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 827, Sec. 2.5. Effective October 13, 1995. Operative January 1, 1996, by Sec. 8 of Ch. 827.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 2 - Fishing Lines › Section 9025.5.

9025.5. (a) Troll lines or handlines having not more than two hooks (plugs excepted) may be used in any district, and troll lines with more than two hooks may be used in Fish and Game Districts 6, 7, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 19A, and that portion of Fish and Game District 11 west of the Golden Gate Bridge.
(b) “Troll line” means a line with one or more hooks towed by a vessel underway and making way.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), in that portion of Fish and Game District 10 in Tomales Bay south of a line extending 252 degrees magnetic from the western tip of Toms Point to the opposite shore, in that portion of Fish and Game District 11 east of the Golden Gate Bridge, and in Fish and Game Districts 12 and 13, commercial fishermen shall not use more than four troll lines or handlines at any time with not more than two hooks attached to each line, and when more than one commercial fisherman is aboard a vessel, not more than six lines with a maximum of two hooks per line may be fished aboard that vessel.
(Added by renumbering Section 9025 by Stats. 1995, Ch. 677, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1996.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 2 - Fishing Lines › Section 9026.

9026. Set lines may be used in Districts 6, 7, 10, 17, 18, and 19. It is unlawful to use set lines with hooks more than 100 feet above the anchor or ocean bottom.
(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 318, Sec. 8.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 2 - Fishing Lines › Section 9027.

9027. (a) (1) Notwithstanding Section 9026, 9028, or 9029, in the area described in subdivision (b), it is unlawful to use more than 150 hooks on a vessel to take a fish for commercial purposes when using fishing lines authorized pursuant to this article.
(2) In the area described in subdivision (b), not more than 15 hooks shall be attached to any one fishing line, and no fishing line shall be attached to another fishing line, while those lines are being used for commercial fishing pursuant to this article except that a single troll line with not more than 30 hooks may be used to take California halibut.
(3) Each fishing line used pursuant to this article that is not attached to a vessel fishing in the area described in subdivision (b) shall be buoyed and the commercial fishing license identification number issued pursuant to Section 7850 to the permittee who is using the fishing line shall be marked on, and visible on the upper one-half of each buoy, in numbers at least two inches high.
(b) This section applies only to waters within one mile of shore within Fish and Game Districts 6, 7, and 10, but not including ocean waters in Fish and Game District 7 between a line extending 203 degrees magnetic from Gitchell Creek and a line extending 252 degrees magnetic from False Cape in Humboldt County and not including ocean waters in Fish and Game District 10 between a line extending 245 degrees magnetic from the most westerly point of the west point of the Point Reyes headlands in Marin County and a line extending due west magnetic from Point Bolinas in Marin County.
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 431, Sec. 26. Effective January 1, 2005.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 2 - Fishing Lines › Section 9027.5.

9027.5. (a) (1) Notwithstanding Section 9026, 9028, or 9029 in the area described in subdivision (b), it is unlawful to use more than 150 hooks on a vessel to take fish for commercial purposes when using fishing lines authorized pursuant to this article.
(2) In the area described in subdivision (b), not more that 15 hooks shall be attached to any one fishing line, and no fishing line shall be attached to another fishing line, while those lines are being used for commercial fishing pursuant to this article.
(3) Each fishing line used pursuant to this article that is not attached to a vessel fishing in the area described in subdivision (b) shall be buoyed and the commercial fishing license identification number issued pursuant to Section 7852 to the permittee who is using the fishing line shall be marked on, and visible on the upper one-half of each buoy, in numbers not less than two inches in height.
(b) This section applies only to waters within one mile of the mainland shore in Fish and Game Districts 17, 18, and 19.
(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to persons who are fishing for halibut, white sea bass, sharks, skates, or rays, south of a line extending due west from Point Conception, if at least 80 percent of the fish possessed by persons aboard the vessel are, by number, halibut, white sea bass, sharks, skates, or rays.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 132, Sec. 176. (AB 1760) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 2 - Fishing Lines › Section 9028.

9028. Notwithstanding Sections 8603 and 9025.5, it is unlawful to use fishing lines, including, but not limited to, troll lines and handlines more than 900 feet in length unless they are used as set lines pursuant to Sections 8601 and 9026 or they are used as part of deep-set buoy gear authorized under federal law.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 844, Sec. 9. (SB 1017) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 2 - Fishing Lines › Section 9029.

9029. (a) Notwithstanding Section 9028, a fishing line which is anchored to the ocean bottom at one end and attached at the surface to a fishing vessel or a buoy may be used in Districts 6, 7, 10, 17, 18, and 19.
(b) A fishing line otherwise permitted pursuant to subdivision (a), may not be used under any of the following circumstances:
(1) To take shortfin mako (bonito) sharks, thresher sharks, swordfish, or marlin.
(2) If the fishing line exceeds 3,000 feet in length from the anchor to the surface vessel or buoy.
(3) If any hooks are attached to the upper one-third of the line.
(c) A buoy attached to the surface end of a fishing line used pursuant to subdivision (a) shall display above its waterline, in numerals at least two inches high, the fisherman’s identification number. For purposes of this section and Section 8601.5, “fisherman’s identification number” means the number of the person’s commercial fishing license issued pursuant to Section 7850.
(Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 485, Sec. 5. Effective October 4, 1991.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 2 - Fishing Lines › Section 9029.5.

9029.5. Notwithstanding Sections 9025.5, 9026, and 9029, it is unlawful to use set lines, vertical fishing lines, or troll lines to take fish for commercial purposes within one mile of the nearest point of land on the mainland shore in Fish and Game District 7 or 10 from sunset on Friday to sunset on the following Sunday or from sunset of the day before a state recognized legal holiday until sunset on that holiday. For the purposes of this subdivision, a “set line” is a fishing line that is anchored to the bottom on each end and is not free to drift with the tide or current and a “vertical fishing line” is a fishing line that is anchored to the ocean bottom at one end and attached at the other end on the surface to a fishing vessel or a buoy. This section does not apply to the taking of salmon or California halibut for commercial purposes.
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 431, Sec. 28. Effective January 1, 2005.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 3 - Other Appliances › Section 9050.

9050. A spade, shovel, hoe, rake, or other appliance operated by hand may be used to take mollusks, sand crabs, and shrimps in Districts 1, 1
1
/
2
, 2, 2
1
/
2
, 3, 3
1
/
2
, 4, 4
1
/
8
, 4
3
/
4
, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 19A, 20, 20A, and 21, except as specified in Section 7332, except that freshwater clams shall not be taken by means of any of those appliances on any levee or on the berm of any levee.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 132, Sec. 177. (AB 1760) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 3 - Other Appliances › Section 9051.

9051. (a) Spears, harpoons, and bows and arrows may be used for taking all varieties of skates, rays, and sharks, except soupfin sharks.
(b) This section shall become operative January 1, 1999.
(Repealed (in Sec. 4) and added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1174, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 1994. Section operative January 1, 1999, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 3 - Other Appliances › Section 9052.

9052. Slurp guns may be used to take fish for commercial purposes in fish and game districts 6, 7, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 20A.
(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 742, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 1993.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 3 - Other Appliances › Section 9053.

9053. (a) Powered equipment of such design as may be prescribed by the commission may be used to take crustaceans and mollusks under a revocable permit issued by the department and under such regulations as the commission shall prescribe.
(b) Taking of lobster or crabs under this section is subject to Article 5 (commencing with Section 8250) and Article 6 (commencing with Section 8275) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 6.
(Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1442, Sec. 21.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 3 - Other Appliances › Section 9054.

9054. Sea urchins shall not be taken for commercial purposes except under a valid sea urchin diving permit issued to that person that has not been suspended or revoked, subject to regulations adopted by the commission. Rakes, airlifts, or other handheld appliances may be used to take sea urchins. The commission may, whenever necessary to prevent overutilization or to ensure efficient and economic operation of the fishery, limit the number of permits that may be issued. The commission, as it determines appropriate to protect the resource, may limit the number of permits either on a statewide basis or within selected geographical areas.
(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 870, Sec. 52. Effective January 1, 1997.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 3 - Other Appliances › Section 9054.5.

9054.5. The commission shall adopt regulations related to commercial sea urchin diving permits, and the vessels used to commercially fish for sea urchin, in order to better manage the number of permits issued.
(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 876, Sec. 16. (SB 500) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 3 - Other Appliances › Section 9055.

9055. (a) The base fee for a sea urchin permit authorized pursuant to Section 9054 is five hundred ninety-eight dollars and fifty cents ($598.50).
(b) Upon notification from the California Sea Urchin Commission, the department shall charge an additional two hundred dollars ($200) for a sea urchin permit to be distributed to the California Sea Urchin Commission by the department, less the department’s distribution expenses, to be used for the purposes of Section 79056 of the Food and Agricultural Code. The California Sea Urchin Commission shall notify the department of the intent to charge the additional two-hundred-dollar ($200) fee by December 1 of the preceding license year.
(c) The base fee and additional two-hundred-dollar ($200) fee for the California Sea Urchin Commission specified in this section are applicable to the 2024 license year and shall be adjusted annually thereafter pursuant to Section 713.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 876, Sec. 17. (SB 500) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 4 - Other Means of Taking › ARTICLE 3 - Other Appliances › Section 9056.

9056. The department shall adopt regulations regarding the marking and color coding of lines used in state managed fisheries.
(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 876, Sec. 18. (SB 500) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 5 - Fuel Conservation Assistance Program › Section 9100.

9100. The California Energy Extension Service of the Office of Planning and Research shall implement a revolving loan fund program to assist low-income fishing fleet operators reduce their energy costs and conserve fuel by providing low-interest loans to those operators.
(Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 967, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6 - FISH › PART 3 - COMMERCIAL FISHING › CHAPTER 5 - Fuel Conservation Assistance Program › Section 9101.

9101. Commencing January 1, 1994, and thereafter biennially, the California Energy Extension Service of the Office of Planning and Research shall report to the Legislature on the status of the loan program, including the number and the amounts of loans made, the amount of loans repaid, and a comparison of the ethnic background of the loan recipients with the ethnic background of the low-income fishing fleet operators.
(Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 967, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6.5 - STURGEON EGG PROCESSORS › Section 10000.

10000. (a) Every person engaged in the business of canning, curing, preserving, packing, or otherwise processing, or dealing at wholesale in, the eggs of sturgeon for human consumption shall obtain a sturgeon egg processing license from the department for that purpose. The license required by this division is in addition to any other license, permit, or other authorization required by this code or by any other provision of law.
(b) Possession of a sturgeon egg processing license issued pursuant to this division authorizes the licensee to can, cure, preserve, pack, or otherwise process, or deal at wholesale in, the eggs of sturgeon if, and only if, the eggs are lawfully taken or lawfully possessed pursuant to Section 7230 or 7370.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 132, Sec. 178. (AB 1760) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Fish and Game Code - FGC › DIVISION 6.5 - STURGEON EGG PROCESSORS › Section 10001.

10001. A sturgeon egg processing license shall be issued and delivered upon application and the payment of a base fee of one hundred dollars ($100), as adjusted under Section 713, to the department. The license shall be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance.
(Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1403, Sec. 10.)