Readopt emergency amendment to Section 180.15 of Title 14, California Code of Regulations - Coonstripe Shrimp Fishery for 90 days

The California Fish and Game Commission has adopted an emergency amendment to Section 180.15 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations to address escalating risks of marine mammal entanglement in the coonstripe shrimp fishery, which operates along the state’s northern coast from the Oregon border to Monterey Bay. The fishery, historically limited but facing increased interest due to declining opportunities in other fisheries like salmon and groundfish, has been linked to four documented whale entanglements since 2017, including incidents in 2024 and 2025 near high-density whale habitats. To mitigate this growing threat, the regulation imposes strict new operational limits: a north-south dividing line at the Sonoma/Mendocino County border, a maximum depth restriction of 30 fathoms in the northern zone, reduced numbers of vertical lines per vessel, and caps on traps per string. A new control date is established to freeze participation and prevent expansion of the fishery, effectively curbing potential increases in gear density that could further endanger federally protected whale species. The regulatory action, issued as an emergency measure for a 90-day period, is supported by categorical exemptions under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), specifically Class 7 for protecting natural resources and Class 8 for addressing imminent harm to marine life. This action is not a federal procurement and does not involve contractual elements such as pricing, delivery terms, invoicing, or commercial contracting officers; instead, it is an administrative regulatory intervention administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife under the authority of the Fish and Game Commission. Compliance is monitored through field enforcement and administrative oversight, with no formal contractor or offeror involved. The amendment is submitted as a certified exemption finding and must be filed by November 21, 2025, to the Office of Planning and Research in Sacramento, with no electronic submission option specified. The measure reflects a proactive state response to biological conservation priorities, prioritizing ecosystem protection over fishery expansion in sensitive marine environments.