Extension of Emergency Regulations Regarding the Recreational Take of Rockfish, Cabezon, Greenling (RCG) and Lingcod

The California Fish and Game Commission has extended emergency regulations to restore recreational fishing access to previously closed depths for rockfish, cabezon, greenling, and lingcod off the coast of California, based on updated scientific assessments indicating improved quillback rockfish population conditions. These adjustments reverse restrictions that had been in place since 2023 to prevent accidental takes of quillback rockfish, allowing anglers to return to productive fishing grounds while maintaining conservation standards. A new sub-bag limit for canary rockfish has been instituted to prevent overharvest, and sunset rockfish, previously not clearly classified, has been formally added to the list of regulated federal groundfish species with defined catch limits. The regulatory actions are designed to align recreational fishing opportunities with current biological data, ensuring sustainable yields and ecological protection under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the California Marine Life Management Act. These measures are implemented through amendments to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, specifically Sections 1.91, 27.25, 27.30, 27.35, 27.40, and 28.55, and were approved under categorical exemptions 15307 and 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act, which determined that the changes would not result in significant environmental impact. The action, signed on December 12, 2025, and formally posted on December 30, 2025, does not constitute a federal procurement or contract, and no Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses, contract values, payment terms, or contractor obligations are involved. The California Fish and Game Commission serves as the lead agency, with the Department of Fish and Wildlife responsible for enforcement and implementation, and no contractors or offerors are engaged in the process. There are no physical deliveries, packaging requirements, inspection protocols, or pricing structures associated with this regulatory update. Instead, compliance is ensured through state fishery enforcement mechanisms and adherence to the amended regulations governing catch limits, depth restrictions, and species identification in California’s ocean waters. The Executive Director of the Commission is the designated point of contact, and the action was finalized without the need for competitive bidding, fiscal appropriations, or procurement documentation, functioning solely as a science-based regulatory adjustment to safeguard marine resources while accommodating recreational fishing interests.