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

The California Fish and Game Commission is implementing an extension of emergency regulations to manage the recreational take of rockfish, cabezon, greenling (RCG), and lingcod in state ocean waters. This regulatory action focuses on restoring access to fishing depths that had been closed since 2023 to protect quillback rockfish, specifically maintaining the removal of depth constraints north of Point Conception based on updated scientific stock assessments. Key objectives include the implementation of a sub-bag limit for canary rockfish and the addition of the cryptic-species sunset rockfish to the federal groundfish species list to clarify its limits. These actions involve amendments to sections 1.91, 27.25, 27.30, 27.35, 27.40, and 28.55 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. The project is designed to be consistent with the federal Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the state Marine Life Management Act. A Notice of Exemption was issued on December 12, 2025, by Executive Director Melissa Miller-Henson, confirming that the project is protective of the environment and natural resources with no significant environmental impacts.