Title FGC, California Fish & Game Code

(a) The business of aquaculture is governed by this division and is exempt from Part 3 (commencing with Section 7600) of Division 6 and any other provision of this code relating to commercial fishing, harvesting, processing, and marketing. (b) Except as provided in Sections 15005…

The cultured progeny of wild plants and animals lawfully obtained under Section 15300 are the exclusive property of that person who cultured them or that person’s successor in interest. (Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1486, Sec. 25.)

Any person who takes aquaculture products without lawful entitlement is subject to prosecution for theft. (Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1486, Sec. 25.)

(a) The department may assess a fee on persons growing aquaculture products on public lands and in public waters based on the price per pound of the products sold. The fees, if imposed, shall be set at amounts necessary to defray the costs of the commission and the department in …

Aquaculturists operating under this division shall pay all costs incurred by the department when conducting any inspections of plants, animals, facilities, or culture areas required by this division, or by regulations adopted pursuant to this division, when requested by the aquac…

(a) When necessary for the protection of native wildlife, the commission may regulate the transportation, purchase, possession, and sale of specific aquaculture products as provided for in this section. (b) The commission may determine that aquaculture products shall be accompani…

Nothing in this division applies to authorized species of ornamental marine or freshwater plants and animals not utilized for human consumption or bait purposes that are maintained in closed systems for personal, pet industry, or hobby purposes. (Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 131, Se…

(a) In the waters of the Pacific Ocean that are regulated by this state, it is unlawful to spawn, incubate, or cultivate any species of finfish belonging to the family Salmonidae, transgenic fish species, or any exotic species of finfish. Except as authorized pursuant to subdivis…

(a) It shall be unlawful to engage in the aquaculture of any species of octopus for the purpose of human consumption. (b) A business owner or operator shall not sell, possess, or transport any species of octopus that is the result or product of aquaculture. (Added by Stats. 2024,…

(a) The department shall, in consultation with the Aquaculture Development Committee, prepare programmatic environmental impact reports for existing and potential commercial aquaculture operations in both coastal and inland areas of the state if both of the following conditions a…

“Affix” means physically attached to or imprinting an electronic validation to a license document. (Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 112, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2002.)

The Legislature finds: (a) Jurisdiction over the protection and development of natural resources, especially the fish resource, is of great importance to both the State of California and California Indian tribes. (b) To California Indian tribes, control over their minerals, lands…

The Legislature finds: (a) Jurisdiction over the protection and development of natural resources, especially the fish resource, is of great importance to both the State of California and California Indian tribes. (b) To California Indian tribes, control over their minerals, lands…

“Aquaculture” means that form of agriculture devoted to the propagation, cultivation, maintenance, and harvesting of aquatic plants and animals in marine, brackish, and fresh water. “Aquaculture” does not include species of ornamental marine or freshwater plants and animals not u…

“Bag limit” means the maximum limit, in number or amount, of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians that may lawfully be taken by any one person during a specified period of time. (Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 285, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

“Possession limit” means the maximum, in number or amount, of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians that may be lawfully possessed by one person. (Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 285, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)

Unless the provisions or the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this chapter govern the construction of this code and all regulations adopted under this code. (Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1052, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1999.)

(a) It is unlawful to take a bird, mammal, fish, reptile, or amphibian except as provided in this code or in a regulation adopted pursuant to this code. (b) Possession of a bird, mammal, fish, reptile, amphibian, or part of any of those animals, in or on the fields, forests, or w…

(a) As used in this chapter, “roadway” has the same meaning as defined in Section 530 of the Vehicle Code. (b) As used in this chapter, “vehicle” has the same meaning as defined in Section 670 of the Vehicle Code. (Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 869, Sec. 4. (SB 395) Effective January…

(a) Notwithstanding Section 219, 2000, or any other law, and notwithstanding any requirement for a permit or license or other entitlement to take a species, the accidental taking of a bird, mammal, reptile, or amphibian by collision with a vehicle while that vehicle is being oper…

(a) (1) Consistent with Section 91.8 of the Streets and Highways Code, the commission may establish a pilot program for the issuance of wildlife salvage permits through a user-friendly and cell-phone-friendly web-based portal to persons desiring to recover, possess, use, or trans…

(a) It is unlawful to take a mammal, bird, fish, reptile, or amphibian outside of an established season or to exceed a bag limit or possession limit established in this code or by a regulation adopted by the commission. Violation of an established season, bag limit, or possession…

It is unlawful to possess a bird, mammal, fish, reptile, amphibian, or part of any of those animals, taken in violation of this code or a regulation adopted pursuant to this code. (Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 154, Sec. 43. (AB 1527) Effective January 1, 2016.)

(a) Except as specified in subdivisions (b), (c), (d), and (e), it is unlawful to offer a prize or other inducement as a reward for the taking of a game bird, or the taking of any mammal, fish, reptile, or amphibian in an individual contest, tournament, or derby. (b) The departme…

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that the fish of this state are a vital, renewable resource which provides recreation, outdoor experiences, and food for many of this state’s citizens. Therefore, it is in the state’s best interests to promote volunteer private rehabilitatio…

The department may implement the “Adopt a Lake Program” to facilitate private groups’ and associations’ undertaking volunteer efforts to rehabilitate and improve fisheries, fish habitat, and resources. In implementing this program, the department shall prepare and periodically up…

It is unlawful for any person, while taking any bird, mammal, fish, reptile, or amphibian, to cause damage, or assist in causing damage, to real or personal property, or to leave gates or bars open, or to break down, destroy, or damage fences, or to tear down or scatter piles of …

(a) Except as otherwise authorized by this section, it is unlawful to use an artificial light to assist in the taking of a game bird, game mammal, or game fish. (b) It is unlawful for one or more persons to throw or cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial lig…

(a) It is unlawful to possess a loaded rifle or shotgun in any vehicle or conveyance or its attachments which is standing on or along or is being driven on or along any public highway or other way open to the public. (b) A rifle or shotgun shall be deemed to be loaded for the pur…

(a) It is unlawful to set, place, or cause to be set or placed, any trap gun. (b) A “trap gun” is a firearm loaded with other than blank cartridges and connected with a string or other contrivance contact with which will cause the firearm to be discharged. (Amended by Stats. 2023…

(a) A person shall not willfully interfere with the participation of any individual in the lawful activity of shooting, hunting, fishing, falconry, hunting dog field trials, hunting dog training, or trapping at the location where that activity is taking place. (b) A violation of …

(a) It is unlawful to use or possess a shotgun larger than 10-gauge, or to use or possess a shotgun capable of holding more than six cartridges at one time, to take a mammal or bird. (b) A shotgun that has been modified with the insertion of a plug is deemed, for the purpose of t…

(a) It is unlawful for any person to take, mutilate, or destroy any bird or mammal lawfully in the possession of another. (b) For the purpose of this section, a bird or mammal shall be deemed in possession when it is actually reduced to physical possession or when it is wounded o…

(a) It is unlawful for a person to remove from a hunting dog any collar, including an electronic or radio transmitting device, without possessing written permission from the dog’s owner allowing the removal of the collar. (b) As used in this section, “hunting dog” means a dog in …

All licenses, tags, and the birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians taken or otherwise dealt with under this code, and any device or apparatus designed to be, and capable of being, used to take birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians shall be exhibited upon demand to …

Unless otherwise provided, the provisions of this code relating to the possession of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians apply to birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians taken either in or outside of this state. (Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 154, Sec. 47. (AB 1527)…

(a) It is the policy of this state to conserve its natural resources and to prevent the willful or negligent destruction of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibia. (b) The state may recover damages in a civil action against any person or local agency which unlawfully or negl…

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful to possess a bird, mammal, fish, amphibian, or reptile, that may not be legally sold, in a restaurant or other eating establishment. (b) This section does not apply to any of the following: (1) A person who lawfully…

(a) It is unlawful to enter land for the purpose of discharging a firearm or taking or destroying a mammal or bird, including waterfowl, on that land, without having first obtained written permission from the owner, the owner’s agent, or the person in lawful possession of that la…

(a) Unless otherwise authorized under state law, it is unlawful for a person in this state to import, cause to be imported, export, cause to be exported, transport, sell, offer for sale, possess with the intent to sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any fish, wildlife, or plant t…

It is unlawful to post any sign indicating an area is a state or federal refuge unless it is established by state or federal law, or to post any sign prohibiting trespass or hunting on any land unless authorized by the owner or the person in lawful possession of such lands. It is…

It is unlawful for any person, including state, federal, county, and city officials or their agents, to authorize, offer or pay a bounty for any bird or mammal. This section does not apply to any person with respect to the taking of any bird or mammal on the private property of s…

It is unlawful to violate any provision of Division 1 (commencing with Section 1.04) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. Violation of such a provision may be charged as a violation of this section or of the specific section of Title 14 provision, and shall be punis…

(a) As used in this section “shark fin” means the raw, dried, or otherwise processed detached fin, or the raw, dried, or otherwise processed detached tail, of an elasmobranch. (b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (c) and (d), it shall be unlawful for any person to pos…

(a) Notwithstanding Section 2021, all of the following provisions apply: (1) Any person who holds a license or permit issued by the department to take or land sharks for recreational or commercial purposes may possess, including for purposes of consumption or taxidermy, or may do…

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) “Bona fide educational or scientific institution” means an institution that establishes through documentation either of the following: (A) Educational or scientific tax exemption, from the …