1. (a) Fishing Season.

   1. (1) Red sea urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) shall not be taken for commercial purposes on Saturday and Sunday, statewide, from June 1 through October 31. During any closed period, no red sea urchins may be possessed on any commercially registered vessel, except that any commercially registered vessel may transport red sea urchins after any closure goes into effect, provided that the vessel is in port no later than 0800 hours on the first day of the closed period.
   2. (2) Other Sea Urchins. May be taken year-round.

2. (b) Closed Areas.

   1. (1) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section and until April 2, 2029: the South Caspar Point area in Mendocino County is closed to all commercial fishing for sea urchins. This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and a straight line connecting the following points: 39° 21.693′ N latitude 123° 49.360′ W longitude and 39° 21.714′ N latitude 123° 49.024′ W longitude.

3. (c) Size Limits. Sea urchin shall be measured by the greatest shell diameter (not including the spines).

   1. (1) Red Sea Urchin.

      1. (A) South of the Monterey-San Luis Obispo county line, no more than thirty (30) red sea urchins greater than one and one-half (1 1/2) and less than three and one-quarter (3 1/4) inches per permittee per load or lot, may be taken, possessed, sold or purchased.
      2. (B) North of the Monterey-San Luis Obispo county line, no more than thirty (30) red sea urchins greater than one and one-half (1 1/2) and less than three and one-half (3 1/2) inches per permittee per load or lot, may be taken, possessed, sold or purchased.
   2. (2) Other Sea Urchins. No size limit.
   3. (3) Every sea urchin permittee shall carry and use an accurate measuring device to determine the size of red sea urchins being taken.
4. (d) Vessel Identification. When sea urchins are taken under these regulations, the vessel's commercial registration number shall be displayed on both sides of the boat. The number shall be black, at least 10 inches high, and on a white background. All permittees aboard the boat shall be mutually responsible for the proper display of the vessel's commercial registration number.
5. (e) Lobster Prohibition. No person shall take or possess lobsters aboard any boat used to take sea urchins under these regulations on any day that sea urchins have been taken or are to be taken.
6. (f) Lift Conditions. Hydraulic lifts and air lifts shall be used only in such a manner that no rocks or other mineral matter, aquatic plants, fish or other aquatic life except sea urchins, shall be removed from the bottom or otherwise disturbed.
7. (g) Logbooks. Pursuant to Section 190, each permittee shall keep and submit a complete and accurate record of all sea urchin fishing activities on a form Commercial Dive Fishing Log (DFW 120.8 (REV. 04/2025)), incorporated herein by reference, provided by the department.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 7880, 8026 and 9054, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 7880, 8026, 8140 and 9054, Fish and Game Code.

History

1. New section filed 7-1-2025; operative 7-1-2025 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2025, No. 27).