1. (a) The Central Groundfish Management Area means ocean waters between 37° 11′ N. lat. (at Pigeon Point, San Mateo County) and 34° 27′ N. lat. (at Point Conception, Santa Barbara County).

2. (b) Seasons and depth restrictions effective for all species of rockfish (except as specified in subsection 28.55(b)(1)), lingcod, cabezon, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos:

   1. (1) January 1 through March 31: Closed.
   2. (2) April 1 through December 31: Open for all species (except as specified in subsection 28.55(b)(1)) with no depth constraints.

This Section applies to take or possession of federal groundfish species and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos. For specific definitions, applicability, and procedures, see sections 1.91 and 27.20. For size limits, bag and possession limits, and other regulations that apply to individual species, see specific sections beginning with Section 27.60.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 205 and 265, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 200, 205, 265, 1802 and 7071, Fish and Game Code; and 50 CFR Part 660, Subpart G, Sections 660.350, 660.351, 660.352 and 660.360.

History

1. New section filed 1-18-2007; operative 1-18-2007 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(c) (Register 2007, No. 3). For prior history, see Register 2005, No. 10.

2. Amendment of subsections (b)(1)-(3) and (c)(1) and amendment of Note filed 3-3-2009; operative 3-3-2009 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2009, No. 10).

3. Repealer of former section 27.40 and renumbering of former section 27.35 to section 27.40, including amendment of section heading, section and Note, filed 6-9-2011; operative 6-9-2011 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2011, No. 23).

4. Amendment of section and Note filed 3-10-2015; operative 3-10-2015 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2015, No. 11).

5. Amendment of section and Note filed 2-7-2017; operative 2-7-2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4) (Register 2017, No. 6).

6. Amendment filed 1-2-2019; operative 1-2-2019 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(B) (Register 2019, No. 1).

7. Amendment filed 12-30-2022; operative 1-1-2023 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(4)(B) (Register 2022, No. 52).

8. Amendment of subsections (b), (b)(2)-(3) and (b)(3)(A)1. and amendment of Note filed 10-30-2023 as an emergency; operative 10-30-2023 (Register 2023, No. 44). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 4-29-2023 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

9. Amendment filed 4-19-2024; operative 4-19-2024 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2024, No. 16).

10. Amendment of subsections (b)(2)(A) and (c)(2) filed 12-24-2024; operative 1-1-2025 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2024, No. 52).

11. Amendment filed 8-28-2025 as an emergency; operative 8-28-2025 (Register 2025, No. 35). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 2-24-2026 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

12. Amendment refiled 2-19-2026 as an emergency; operative 2-19-2026 (Register 2026, No. 8). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 5-20-2026 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

13. Certificate of Compliance as to 2-19-2026 order transmitted to OAL 4-9-2026 and filed 5-19-2026 (Register 2026, No. 21).