California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 1 - Fish and Game Commission-Department of Fish and Game
Subdivision 1 - Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles
Chapter 4 - Ocean Fishing
Article 1 - Ocean and San Francisco Bay District
Fin Fish-Minimum Size Limits, Bag and Possession Limits and Seasons
Section 28.20 - Halibut, Pacific

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 28.20

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Season:

(1) Pacific halibut may be taken only from May 1 through November 15, or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier. Pacific halibut take is regulated by a quota that is closely monitored each year in alignment with federal regulations.

(2) The Pacific halibut quota is published in the Federal Register 88 FR 21503, April 11, 2023. The department shall inform the commission, and the public via a press release, prior to any implementation of restrictions triggered by achieving or expecting to exceed the quota. Anglers and divers are advised to check the current rules before fishing. The latest fishing rules may be found on the department's website at: wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean, or by calling the Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline (831) 649-2801 or the National Marine Fisheries Service Area 2A Halibut Hotline (800) 662-9825 for recorded information, or by contacting a department office.

(b) Limit: One.

(d) Methods of Take:

(1) When angling, no more than one line with two hooks attached may be used.

(2) A harpoon, gaff, or net may be used to assist in taking a Pacific halibut that has been legally caught by angling. See Section 28.95 of these regulations for additional restrictions on the use of harpoons.

(3) Take by spearfishing is allowed pursuant to Section 28.90 of these regulations.

1. Amendment of subsections (a)-(c) filed 5-18-89; operative 5-18-89 pursuant to Government Code section 11346.2(d) (Register 89, No. 20).
2. Amendment of subsection (a) and NOTE filed 3-12-92; operative 3-12-92 (Register 92, No. 20).
3. Amendment of subsection (a) filed 12-12-94; operative 12-12-94 pursuant to Government Code section 11346.2(d) (Register 94, No. 50).
4. Amendment of subsections (a) and (c) filed 2-28-2007; operative 2-28-2007 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2007, No. 9).
5. Amendment of subsection (a) and NOTE filed 6-25-2014 as an emergency; operative 6-25-2014 (Register 2014, No. 26). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 12-22-2014 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
6. Reinstatement of section as it existed prior to 6-25-2014 emergency amendment by operation of Government Code section 11346.1(f) (Register 2015, No. 5).
7. Amendment of section and NOTE filed 4-28-2015; operative 4-28-2015 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 202 and Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2015, No. 18).
8. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) and amendment of NOTE filed 4-26-2016; operative 4-26-2016 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 202 and Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4) (Register 2016, No. 18).
9. Amendment of subsections (a)(1)-(2) and amendment of NOTE filed 5-1-2017; operative 5-1-2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4) and Fish and Game Code section 265 (Register 2017, No. 18).
10. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) and amendment of NOTE filed 4-5-2018; operative 3-24-2018. Submitted to OAL for filing and printing only pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 7110 and section 1.95, title 14, California Code of Regulations (Register 2018, No. 16).
11. Amendment of subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) filed 5-9-2019; operative 4-29-2019. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 7110 and section 1.95, title 14, California Code of Regulations (Register 2019, No. 23).
12. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) and NOTE filed 6-11-2020; operative 4-30-2020 pursuant to 14 CCR section 1.95(c) (Register 2020, No. 24).
13. Amendment of subsections (a)(1)-(2) filed 6-14-2021; operative 4-20-2021 pursuant to section 1.95(c), title 14, California Code of Regulations. Submitted to OAL for filing and printing only pursuant to section 1.95, title 14, California Code of Regulations (Register 2021, No. 25).
14. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) filed 4-29-2022; operative 3-31-2022 pursuant to section 1.95(c), title 14, California Code of Regulations. Submitted to OAL for courtesy filing and printing only pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 7110 and section 1.95(c), title 14, California Code of Regulations (Register 2022, No. 17).
15. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) filed 4-19-2023; operative 4-6-2023 pursuant to section 1.95(c), title 14, California Code of Regulations. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 7110 and section 1.95(c), title 14, California Code of Regulations (Register 2023, No. 17).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 205, 219, 265, 316, 399 and 7110, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 200, 203.1, 205, 219, 255, 265, 270, 316 and 7110, Fish and Game Code; 50 CFR Part 300, Subpart E; and 50 CFR 300.66.

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