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 6 - Fish, Commercial
Section 165 - Commercial Harvesting of Kelp and Other Aquatic Plants

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 165

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 52, December 27, 2024

(a) General License Provisions. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 6651 of the Fish and Game Code, no kelp or other aquatic plants may be harvested for commercial purposes except under a revocable license issued by the department pursuant to this section or a marine aquaria collector's permit issued pursuant to Section 8597 of the Fish and Game Code.

(1) Any person harvesting kelp or other aquatic plants for commercial purposes shall first obtain a valid license for that purpose and shall have that license on their person or in their immediate possession when engaged in carrying out any activity authorized by the license.
(A) Kelp harvesting licenses are valid from January 1 to December 31, inclusive, or if issued after the beginning of that term, for the remainder thereof.

(B) Drying Permits for agar-bearing marine plants. Pursuant to Section 6653.5 of the Fish and Game Code, no person shall reduce the moisture content or otherwise dry agar-bearing marine plants harvested from waters of the state except under the authority of a Drying Permit issued by the department. To obtain a Drying Permit, the applicant must choose the Drying Permit option on the Kelp Harvesting License and Drying Application (DFW 658) incorporated by reference in Section 705.1.

(C) License applications, informational maps depicting administrative kelp beds (defined in Section 165.5) and maps of fishing blocks (specified in subsection 190(f)) for edible seaweed and agar-bearing marine algae, and Monthly Harvest Reports are available on request by contacting the department's Seal Beach office by phone at (562) 342-7100.

(2) Cost of License. See Section 6651 of the Fish and Game Code.

(3) Where to Submit Applications. The applicant for a Kelp Harvesting and Drying Permit shall submit the completed application, as specified in Section 705.1, together with the fee authorized by Section 6651 of the Fish and Game Code, to the address listed on the application. Pursuant to Section 700.5, license applications and authorized fees may also be submitted electronically upon the department's establishment of an online submission system.

(4) License Limitation. All provisions of sections 6650- 6680 of the Fish and Game Code, and sections 165 and 165.5 of these regulations shall become a condition of all licenses issued under this section to be fully performed by the holders thereof, their agents, servants, employees or those acting under their direction or control.

(b) General Harvesting Provisions.

(1) Pursuant to Section 51 of the Fish and Game Code, kelp is defined as kelp or other marine aquatic plants and the seeds thereof. For the purposes of these regulations, marine aquatic plants include marine algae.

(2) Harvesting Records. Every person harvesting kelp, other aquatic plants, and marine algae and licensed pursuant to Section 6650 of the Fish and Game Code shall keep a record of the following:
(A) Category of harvest as defined in subsections (c), (d), and (e).

(B) The wet weight of harvest recorded in pounds or tons (1 ton = 2,000 lbs) wet weight.

(C) Month, day, and year of harvest.

(D) Name and address of the person or firm to whom the harvest is sold, unless utilized by the harvester.

(E) The record shall be available for inspection by the department.

(3) Monthly Harvest Reports. Monthly harvest reports refer to both forms DFW 113 and DFW 113A unless otherwise described.
(A) Monthly Harvest Reports shall be prepared by all harvesters licensed pursuant to Section 6650 of the Fish and Game Code and the harvester shall keep a record of the following:
1. the harvest specified by scientific or common name, and

2. the harvest's wet weight in pounds or tons (1 ton = 2,000 lbs).

(B) For harvest of giant (Macrocystis) and bull (Nereocystis) kelp not for human consumption, the report shall be made using the Commercial Kelp Harvester's Monthly Report form DFW 113 incorporated by reference in Section 705.1.

(C) For harvest of agar-bearing marine plants and edible seaweed, including giant and bull kelp, for human consumption, the report shall be made using the Commercial Edible Seaweed/Agarweed Aquatic Plant Harvester's Monthly Report form DFW 113A incorporated by reference in Section 705.1.

(D) Weighing of Kelp, Other Marine Aquatic Plants, Marine Algae, Agar-bearing Plants, and Edible Seaweed. The harvester shall determine and record the weight of harvest upon landing or delivery to the harvester's place of business. The harvester may determine the wet weight of harvest by either direct weighing with a state certified scale or a volume conversion that has been approved by the department. If the weight is determined by a certified or licensed weighmaster, the harvester shall obtain a receipt and maintain the receipt with the Monthly Harvest Report.

(E) The Monthly Harvest Report shall be available for inspection by the department for a period of one year.

(F) A duplicate paper copy of the Monthly Harvest Report shall be retained by a kelp harvester for a period of one year.

(G) A kelp harvester who harvests kelp from a marine protected area established under subsection 632(b) shall maintain a copy of the Monthly Harvest Report on board the harvest vessel for all harvesting conducted during that harvest control period.

(H) Monthly Harvest Reports and royalty fees shall be submitted via paper copies or, pursuant to Section 700.5, may be submitted electronically upon the department's establishment of an online submission system. If submitting via paper copies, the original Monthly Harvest Report shall be submitted to the department's Accounting Services Branch/Cash Receipts 715 P Street, 16th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 (or mailed to P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090) on or before the 10th day of each month following the month to which the Monthly Harvest Reports pertain with the specified royalty required for all kelp and other aquatic plants harvested. Monthly Harvest Reports that are mailed shall be postmarked on or before the 10th day of each month following the month to which the Monthly Harvest Reports pertain. The Monthly Harvest Report shall be submitted whether or not harvest occurred.

(I) Failure to submit the required Monthly Harvest Reports of harvest activity and royalty fees within the prescribed time limit and/or failure to retain the required Monthly Harvest Reports for the prescribed time period(s) may result in revocation or suspension (including non-renewal) of the harvester's license for a period not to exceed one year. Any revocation, suspension, or nonrenewal may be appealed to the commission.

(4) No eel grass (Zostera) or surf grass (Phyllospadix) may be cut, disturbed, or possessed.

(5) No kelp, marine aquatic plant, or marine algae may be harvested in a state marine reserve or state marine park as per subsection 632(a). Commercial harvest of kelp, marine aquatic plants, or marine algae may be limited in state marine conservation areas as per subsection 632(b).

(6) It is unlawful to cause or permit waste of any kelp, marine aquatic plants, or marine algae taken in the waters of this state or to take, receive or agree to receive more kelp, marine aquatic plants, or marine algae than can be used without waste or spoilage.

(7) No person shall harvest kelp, marine aquatic plants, or edible seaweed from Tomales Bay and San Francisco Bay.

(8) Bull kelp may not be harvested in closed or lease only administrative kelp beds as described in subsection 165.5(k) unless harvest is for human consumption as specified pursuant to subsection (e)(2) of this section. Bull kelp may be harvested for other uses by the lease holder in lease only beds if a lease is granted by the commission.

(9) Only lease holders may harvest giant and bull kelp from their leased administrative kelp bed(s) per stipulations of their lease agreement and Section 165.5.

(c) Harvesting of giant and bull kelp. In this subsection, kelp means both giant and bull kelp.

(1) A kelp harvester may harvest kelp by cutting and removing portions of attached kelp or by collecting unattached kelp.

(2) A kelp harvester may not cut attached kelp at a depth greater than four feet below the surface of the water at the time of cutting.

(3) No kelp received aboard a harvesting vessel shall be allowed to escape from the vessel or be deposited into the waters of this state.

(4) In beds north of Point Montara, San Mateo County, bull kelp may only be taken by hand harvesting. Hand harvesting includes using manually operated hand-held tools. No mechanical harvesters of any kind shall be allowed.

(5) Between April 1 and July 31, a kelp harvester may not harvest bull kelp from a nonleased kelp bed that lies partially or totally within the boundary of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary extending from Santa Rosa Creek, San Luis Obispo County, northward to Rocky Point, Marin County. This subsection does not preclude the removal of bull kelp from beaches within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary during the seasonal closure.

(6) Monthly Harvest Reports for uses other than human food. Monthly Harvest Reports shall be made in duplicate using Commercial Kelp Harvester's Monthly Report form DFW 113 incorporated by reference in Section 705.1.
(A) In addition to the license fee, a kelp harvester shall pay a royalty fee of $1.71 for each ton (2,000 lbs) of wet kelp harvested from a non-leased administrative kelp bed.

(B) Maintenance and submission requirements for Commercial Kelp Harvester's Monthly Harvest Reports and submission requirements for royalty fees are specified in subsection (b)(3).

(7) Mechanical Harvest of Kelp. Prior commission approval of a kelp harvest plan is necessary before a kelp harvester may use a mechanical harvester to harvest giant kelp.

(8) Kelp Harvest Plans. All kelp harvest plans shall include the following:
(A) The number of the designated bed or beds as shown in subsection 165.5(k), a description of the kelp bed or portion of the kelp bed requested, and the designated number of square miles in each bed or portion thereof;

(B) The intended use of kelp;

(C) If a mechanical harvester will be used, the kelp harvest plan must identify how the mechanical harvester will be used while avoiding:
1. repetitive harvest of individual giant kelp plants;

2. harvest of bull kelp from those portions of kelp beds that contain both giant kelp and bull kelp; and

3. harvest of giant kelp near sea otter rafting sites used by female sea otters with dependent pups.

(D) The amount of kelp proposed to harvest on a monthly and annual basis during the next five years.

(E) The estimated frequency of harvesting activities for each kelp bed.

(F) The number of harvest boats, maximum kelp holding capacity in wet tons for each boat, including the operating vessel gross tonnage and fuel tank capacity.

(G) Harvesting methodology (harvest operation description).

(H) All locations (addresses) where kelp landing and weighing will take place.

(I) The specific details of wet kelp weighing equipment and methods to be used at the landing sites for accurate reporting.

(J) The name, address, phone number, and license number of kelp processor and method of transporting the kelp to the processing location.

(K) Kelp harvest plans must be updated and submitted to the commission for approval every five years.

(9) Temporary harvest restrictions and weekly reporting for bull kelp. Subsections (c)(9) through (c)(9)(C)3. shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date are repealed.
(A) Notwithstanding subsection (b)(8), bull kelp may not be taken for any purpose in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.

(B) Bull kelp may be harvested in Humboldt and Del Norte counties for human consumption only, not to exceed an annual overall fishery quota of 4 tons (8,000 lbs) wet weight for the combined counties between January 1 and December 31.
1. The department may announce a temporary commercial bull kelp harvest closure in order to obtain an accurate tally of harvest. If the annual overall fishery quota has not been met, the fishery will reopen and commercial kelp harvester license holders shall be limited to allotted harvest amounts to preclude exceeding the annual overall fishery quota and the annual license quota specified in subsection 165(e)(2)(A).
a. Allotted harvest amounts will be calculated as the difference between the annual overall fishery quota and bull kelp harvest from Humboldt and Del Norte counties reported in the monthly harvest reports required pursuant to subsection 165(b)(3) and the weekly harvest reports required pursuant to subsection 165(c)(9)(C), divided by the number of licensed harvesters who indicated "Bull Kelp (Human Consumption)" on their Kelp Harvesting License and Drying Application DFW 658 and those who have not indicated "Bull Kelp (Human Consumption)" on their Kelp Harvesting License and Drying Application DFW 658 but have reported take of bull kelp in Del Norte and/or Humboldt counties on their Commercial Edible Seaweed/Agarweed Aquatic Plant Harvester's Monthly Reports DFW 113A in one or more months during the current annual fishery quota period.

b. Licensed harvesters who indicated "Bull Kelp (Human Consumption)" on their Kelp Harvesting License and Drying Application DFW 658 and licensed harvesters who did not indicate "Bull Kelp (Human Consumption)" on their Kelp Harvesting License and Drying Application DFW 658 but have reported take of bull kelp in Del Norte and/or Humboldt counties on their Commercial Edible Seaweed/Agarweed Aquatic Plant Harvester's Monthly Reports DFW 113A in one or more months during the current annual fishery quota period shall be allotted the amount calculated in subsection 165(c)(9)(B)1.a. If the allotment exceeds the amount remaining in a licensed harvester's annual license quota specified in subsection 165(e)(2)(A), the licensed harvester's allotment shall be decreased to the amount remaining in the licensed harvester's annual license quota and the amount of the allotment in excess of the licensed harvester's annual license quota shall be divided equally between the remaining licensed harvester(s) who have not exceeded their annual license quota specified in subsection 165(e)(2)(A). Prior to reopening the fishery, the department shall notify licensed harvesters via email of their allotted amount.

2. The department shall inform the public by posting a notice on its webpage https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Kelp/Commerical-Harvest and shall notify commercial kelp harvester license holders by email prior to any implementation of a temporary closure pursuant to subsection 165(c)(9)(B)1., allotments pursuant to subsections 165(c)(9)(B)1. through 165(c)(9)(B)1.b., or an annual closure triggered by the annual overall fishery quota. (Note: A department status report on progress toward the annual overall fishery quota is updated weekly and available at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Kelp/Commerical-Harvest.)

3. It is the responsibility of the harvester to keep themselves informed of the remaining quota by monitoring the reported harvest on the department's webpage: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Kelp/Commerical-Harvest. Any announcement issued shall constitute official notice.

4. All harvest in excess of the annual overall fishery quota or allotments shall be forfeited to the department by signing a Release of Property DFW 1108 incorporated by reference in Section 705.1. The excess harvest shall be used, sold, disposed of, or donated to a non-profit institution. If sold, the proceeds of all such sales shall be paid into the Fish and Game Preservation Fund.

(C) Mandatory Harvest Data Reporting Requirements for bull kelp.
1. In addition to monthly reporting, persons harvesting bull kelp in Humboldt and Del Norte counties must submit weekly reports by email to kelp@wildlife.ca.gov.

2. Weekly harvest reports shall be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on each Monday for the Sunday through Saturday of the preceding week. Weekly harvest reporting is required for the duration of the annual license unless the harvester provides a notice via email to kelp@wildlife.ca.gov that bull kelp will not be harvested within a specified time frame or no longer occur for the remainder of the license year.

3. Harvest reporting shall be provided in the email body and shall include business name, business contact name, harvester license number, amount of harvest in pounds by county in which harvest occurred, and time period of harvest which includes the month, specific calendar days of harvest, and year.

(d) Harvesting of marine plants of the genera Gelidium, Pterocladia, Gracilaria, Iridaea, Gloiopeltis or Gigartina which are classified as agar-bearing plants.

(1) General Provisions.
(A) All agar-bearing plants must be harvested by cutting, except that drift or loose plants may be picked up by the harvester. Agar-bearing plants may be cut no closer than two inches to the holdfast and no holdfast may be removed or disturbed. All agar-bearing plants which are removed from a bed must be taken from the water for weighing and processing.

(B) While harvesting agar-bearing plants, it is unlawful to take or possess abalone.

(C) When harvesting agar-bearing plants, the harvester's license number will be legibly displayed on both sides of the boat from which they are operating in 10-inch black numbers on a white background. However, on boats less than 12 feet long, the harvester's license number may be displayed no smaller than 6-inch black numbers on a white background on both sides of the boat from which they are operating. All harvester's license numbers must be kept clearly legible, kept in good repair, and the harvester must ensure that the harvester's license number is not obstructed from view.

(D) A harvester may use conventional underwater diving gear or SCUBA when harvesting agar-bearing plants.

(E) Weighing of Agar-bearing Marine Plants. All agar-bearing marine plants shall be weighed upon landing pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(3)(D).

(2) Monthly Harvest Reports shall be made in duplicate using Commercial Edible Seaweed/Agarweed Aquatic Plant Harvester's Monthly Report DFW 113A incorporated by reference in Section 705.1.

(3) Royalty rate amount due. In addition to the license fee, an agar-bearing marine plant harvester shall pay a royalty fee of $17.00 per ton (2,000 lbs) of wet agar-bearing marine plant harvested.

(4) Maintenance and submission requirements for Commercial Edible Seaweed/Agarweed Aquatic Plant Harvester's Monthly Report and submission requirements for royalty fees are specified in subsection (b)(3).

(e) Harvesting of marine plants, including the genera Porphyra, Laminaria, Monostrema, and other aquatic plants utilized fresh or preserved as human food and classified as edible seaweed.

(1) General Provisions.
(A) Edible varieties of marine plants must be harvested by cutting or picking, except that drift or loose plants may be picked up by the harvester. All harvested plants must be processed.

(B) Edible seaweed may be harvested from state waters throughout the year, except as provided under Section 164.

(C) While harvesting edible seaweed, it is unlawful to take or possess abalone.

(D) A harvester may use conventional underwater diving gear or SCUBA while harvesting edible seaweed.

(E) Harvesters of giant and bull kelp shall adhere to regulations specified in subsections (c)(1) and (c)(4) through (c)(5). Harvesters of giant kelp shall adhere to the regulations specified in subsection (c)(2).

(2) Harvest of Bull Kelp for Human Consumption.
(A) Unless otherwise prohibited, in addition to open or leasable beds, bull kelp may be harvested for human consumption in a closed or lease-only administrative kelp beds described in subsection 165.5(k) if the beds are not leased. Persons operating under the authority of an edible seaweed harvesters license may take, not to exceed, 2 tons (4,000 lbs) of bull kelp annually per license. The entire plant may be harvested.

(B) Temporary bull kelp harvest restrictions and harvest reporting are specified in subsections (c)(9) through (c)(9)(C)3.

(3) Weighing of Edible Marine Plants. All edible marine plants shall be weighed pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(3)(D).

(4) Monthly Harvest Reports shall be made in duplicate using Commercial Edible Seaweed/Agarweed Aquatic Plant Harvester's Monthly Report DFW 113A incorporated by reference in Section 705.1.

(5) In addition to the license fee, an edible seaweed harvester shall pay a royalty fee of $24 per ton (2,000 lbs) of wet edible seaweed harvested.

(6) Maintenance and submission requirements for Commercial Edible Seaweed/Agarweed Aquatic Plant Harvester's Monthly Report and submission requirements for royalty fees are specified in subsection (b)(3).

(f) All Other Species of Kelp.

(1) Applicant shall apply to the commission, outlining the species to be harvested, amount and location. The commission may set conditions and amount of royalty after review of the application.

(g) Commercially manufactured and processed food for human consumption in California is regulated by the California Department of Public Health. Commercial marine algae harvesters shall refer to the California Department of Public Health for information on regulations, requirements, and permitting for commercially manufactured and processed food.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 6653 and 6653.5, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 51, 6650, 6651, 6652, 6653, 6653.5, 6654, 6656 and 6680, Fish and Game Code.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 6653 and 6653.5, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 51, 6650, 6651, 6652, 6653, 6653.5, 6654, 6656 and 6680, Fish and Game Code.

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