Section 5522 Of Chapter 1. Miscellaneous From California Fish And Game Code >> Division 6. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 1.
5522
. (a) On or before January 1, 2003, the department shall submit
to the commission a comprehensive abalone recovery and management
plan. The plan shall contain all of the following:
(1) An explanation of the scientific knowledge regarding the
biology, habitat requirements, and threats to abalone.
(2) A summary of the interim and long-term recovery goals,
including a range of alternative interim and long-term conservation
and management goals and activities. The department shall report why
it prefers the recommended activities.
(3) Alternatives for allocating harvest between sport and
commercial divers if the allocation of the abalone harvest is
warranted.
(4) An estimate of the time and costs required to meet the interim
and long-term recovery goals for the species, including available or
anticipated funding sources, and an initial projection of the time
and costs associated with meeting the final recovery goals. An
implementation schedule shall also be included.
(5) An estimate of the time necessary to meet the interim recovery
goals and triggers for review and amendment of strategy.
(6) A description of objective measurable criteria by which to
determine whether the goals and objectives of the recovery strategy
are being met and procedures for recognition of successful recovery.
These criteria and procedures shall include, but not be limited to,
the following:
(A) Specified abundance and size frequency distribution criteria
for former abalone beds within suitable habitat not dominated by sea
otters.
(B) Size frequency distributions exhibiting multiple size classes
as necessary to ensure continued recruitment into fishable stock.
(C) The reproductive importance to the entire ecosystem of those
areas proposed for reopening to harvest and the potential impact of
each reopening on the recovery of abalone population in adjacent
areas.
(b) Where appropriate, the recovery and management plan may
include the following:
(1) A network of no-take abalone reserves.
(2) A total allowable catch, reflecting the long-term yield each
species is capable of sustaining, using the best available science
and bearing in mind the ecological importance of the species and the
variability of marine ecosystems.
(3) A permanent reduction in harvest.
(c) Funding to prepare the recovery and management plan and any
planning and scoping meetings shall be derived from the fees
collected for the abalone stamp.
(d) On or before January 1, 2008, and following the adoption of
the recovery and management plan by the commission, the department
may apply to the commission to reopen sport or commercial fishing in
all or any portion of the waters described in Section 5521. If the
commission makes a finding that the resource can support additional
harvest activities and that these activities are consistent with the
abalone recovery plan, all or a portion of the waters described in
Section 5521 may be reopened and management measures prescribed and
implemented, as appropriate. The commission may close or, where
appropriate, may establish no-take marine refuges in any area opened
pursuant to this section if it makes a finding that this action is
necessary to comply with the abalone management plan.
(e) If the commission determines that commercial fishing is an
appropriate management measure, priority for participation in the
fishery shall be given to those persons who held a commercial abalone
permit during the 1996-97 permit year.