Title FGC, California Fish & Game Code

Any fishery management regulation adopted by the commission shall, to the extent practicable, conform to the policies of Sections 7055 and 7056. (Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 559, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2003.)

(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (1) Successful marine life and fishery management is a collaborative process that requires a high degree of ongoing communication and participation of all those involved in the management process, particularly the commi…

The definitions in this chapter govern the construction of Section 1022, Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 1700) of Division 2, and Division 6 (commencing with Section 5500), and all regulations adopted pursuant to those provisions. (Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 477, Sec. 3. (AB …

“Adaptive management,” in regard to a marine fishery, means a scientific policy that seeks to improve management of biological resources, particularly in areas of scientific uncertainty, by viewing program actions as tools for learning. Actions shall be designed so that even if t…

“Bycatch” means fish or other marine life that are taken in a fishery but which are not the target of the fishery. “Bycatch” includes discards. (Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1052, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1999.)

“Depressed,” with regard to a marine fishery, means the condition of a fishery for which the best available scientific information, and other relevant information that the commission or department possesses or receives, indicates a declining population trend has occurred over a p…

“Discards” means fish that are taken in a fishery but are not retained because they are of an undesirable species, size, sex, or quality, or because they are required by law not to be retained. (Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1052, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1999.)

“Essential fishery information,” with regard to a marine fishery, means information about fish life history and habitat requirements; the status and trends of fish populations, fishing effort, and catch levels; fishery effects on fish age structure and on other marine living reso…

“Fishery” means both of the following: (a) One or more populations of marine fish or marine plants that may be treated as a unit for purposes of conservation and management and that are identified on the basis of geographical, scientific, technical, recreational, and economic cha…

“Marine living resources” includes all wild mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and plants that normally occur in or are associated with salt water, and the marine habitats upon which these animals and plants depend for their continued viability. (Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1052, Sec.…

“Maximum sustainable yield” in a marine fishery means the highest average yield over time that does not result in a continuing reduction in stock abundance, taking into account fluctuations in abundance and environmental variability. (Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1052, Sec. 4. Effec…

“Optimum yield,” with regard to a marine fishery, means the amount of fish taken in a fishery that does all of the following: (a) Provides the greatest overall benefit to the people of California, particularly with respect to food production and recreational opportunities, and ta…

“Overfished,” with regard to a marine fishery, means both of the following: (a) A depressed fishery. (b) A reduction of take in the fishery is the principal means for rebuilding the population. (Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1052, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1999.)

“Overfishing” means a rate or level of taking that the best available scientific information, and other relevant information that the commission or department possesses or receives, indicates is not sustainable or that jeopardizes the capacity of a marine fishery to produce the m…

“Participants” in regard to a fishery means the sportfishing, commercial fishing, and fish receiving and processing sectors of the fishery. (Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1052, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1999.)

“Population” or “stock” means a species, subspecies, geographical grouping, or other category of fish capable of management as a unit. (Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1052, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1999.)

“Restricted access,” with regard to a marine fishery, means a fishery in which the number of persons who may participate, or the number of vessels that may be used in taking a specified species of fish, or the catch allocated to each fishery participant, is limited by statute or …

“Sustainable,” “sustainable use,” and “sustainability,” with regard to a marine fishery, mean both of the following: (a) Continuous replacement of resources, taking into account fluctuations in abundance and environmental variability. (b) Securing the fullest possible range of pr…