Section 8576 Of Article 16. Drift Gill Net Shark And Swordfish Fishery From California Fish And Game Code >> Division 6. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 16.
8576
. (a) Drift gill nets shall not be used to take shark or
swordfish from February 1 to April 30, inclusive.
(b) Drift gill nets shall not be used to take shark or swordfish
in ocean waters within 75 nautical miles from the mainland coastline
between the westerly extension of the California-Oregon boundary line
and the westerly extension of the United States-Republic of Mexico
boundary line from May 1 to August 14, inclusive.
(c) Subdivisions (a) and (b) apply to any drift gill net used
pursuant to a permit issued under Section 8561 or 8681, except that
drift gill nets with a mesh size smaller than eight inches in
stretched mesh and twine size number 18, or the equivalent of this
twine size, or smaller, used pursuant to a permit issued under
Section 8681, may be used to take species of sharks other than
thresher shark, shortfin mako shark, and white shark during the
periods specified in subdivisions (a) and (b). However, during the
periods of time specified in subdivisions (a) and (b), not more than
two thresher sharks and two shortfin mako sharks may be possessed and
sold if taken incidentally in drift gill nets while fishing for
barracuda or white seabass and if at least 10 barracuda or five white
seabass are possessed and landed at the same time as the
incidentally taken thresher or shortfin mako shark. No thresher shark
or shortfin mako shark taken pursuant to this subdivision shall be
transferred to another vessel before landing the fish. Any vessel
possessing thresher or shortfin mako sharks pursuant to this section
shall not have any gill or trammel net aboard that is constructed
with a mesh size greater than eight inches in stretched mesh and
twine size greater than number 18, or the equivalent of a twine size
greater than number 18.
(d) Notwithstanding the closure from May 1 to August 14,
inclusive, provided by subdivision (b), a permittee may land
swordfish or thresher shark taken in ocean waters more than 75
nautical miles from the mainland coastline in that period if, for
each landing during that closed period, the permittee signs a written
declaration under penalty of perjury that the fish landed were taken
more than 75 nautical miles from the mainland coastline. The
declaration shall be completed and signed before arrival at any port
in this state. Within 72 hours of the time of arrival, the permittee
shall deliver the declaration to the department.
(e) If any person is convicted of falsely swearing a declaration
under subdivision (d), in addition to any other penalty prescribed by
law, the following penalties shall be imposed:
(1) The fish landed shall be forfeited, or, if sold, the proceeds
from the sale shall be forfeited, pursuant to Sections 12159, 12160,
12161, and 12162.
(2) All shark or swordfish gill nets possessed by the permittee
shall be seized and forfeited pursuant to Section 8630 or 12157.
(f) From August 15 of the year of issue to January 31, inclusive,
of the following year, swordfish may be taken under a permit issued
pursuant to this article.