(Amend Section 132.2, Waiver for a Vessel to Retrieve a Permitted Dungeness Crab Vessel’s Dungeness Crab Traps; Add Section 132.7, Lost or Abandoned Dungeness Crab Trap Gear Retrieval Program; Amend Section 705, Commercial Fishing Applications, Permits, Tags and Fees; Title 14, California Code of Regulations)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) proposes to adopt regulations implementing the program described in Section 9002.5 of the Fish and Game Code. Section 9002.5 authorizes the Department to establish a program which incentivizes the removal of commercial Dungeness crab trap gear that remains in the ocean after the end of the fishing season, reducing whale entanglement risk, other threats to marine life, and navigational hazards.
The program would rely on Retrieval Permittees to ensure that retrieval operations are conducted by competent individuals, and to negotiate with Responsible Vessel Permitholders to return the trap gear upon appropriate reimbursement for costs incurred during gear retrieval operations.
After consideration of all public comments, objections, and recommendations regarding the proposed action, the Department may adopt the proposed regulations.
The Conference Room is wheelchair accessible. At the public hearing, any person may present statements or arguments orally or in writing relevant to the proposed action described in the Informative Digest. The Department requests, but does not require, that the persons who make oral comments at the hearing also submit a written copy of their testimony at the hearing.
The current rulemaking file for this proposal consists of the following documents: