The sport fishery for rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and greenlings will close from Pigeon Point to the Oregon Border (North and North-Central Management Areas) on Oct. 1. Shore-based anglers and divers are not affected by this action, announced the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG). The closure will remain in effect through the end of the calendar year. DFG approved these conforming fisheries management measures following the adoption of similar regulations for federal waters by the Pacific Fishery Management Council at their meeting on Sept. 13, 2007. Seasons and other recreational fishing regulations will remain in effect for these species in areas south of Pigeon Point (See 2007 California Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet, Sections 27.35-27.50).

Recreational catch estimates through July, and projected catches for the remainder of the year, indicate that harvest guidelines will be exceeded for canary and yelloweye rockfish ("overfished" species) if these measures are not taken. Factors that led to the increase in projected catches include redistribution of recreational fishing effort to the northern areas where canary and yelloweye rockfishes are more common, poor salmon catches resulting in salmon fishermen switching to groundfish, and an increase in the daily catch rate per angler for yelloweye and canary rockfish. Exceeding California's recreational harvest guidelines for these species could jeopardize rebuilding of these species to healthy population levels.

"While we are aware that a shortened season will affect sport anglers, we are also concerned that failure to take action at this time would jeopardize the future rebuilding success for these important "overfished" species," said Marija Vojkovich, marine region manager.

Under current management measures, the Director of DFG has the authority to take in-season action deemed necessary to prevent catches from exceeding federal harvest limits. As a result, beginning Oct. 1, 2007 the seasons and depth restrictions for boat-based anglers in the Northern and North-Central Management Areas will include:

Northern Management Area (Oregon border south to 40??10' north latitude near Cape Mendocino in Mendocino County): CLOSED - Fishing for rockfish, cabezon, greenlings and lingcod is closed to boat-based anglers beginning Oct. 1, 2007.

North-Central Management Area (40??10' north latitude near Cape Mendocino in Mendocino County to 37??11' north latitude near Pigeon Pt. in San Mateo County): CLOSED - Fishing for rockfish, cabezon, greenlings and lingcod is closed to boat-based anglers beginning Oct. 1, 2007.

Regulations for all Management Areas south of 37 degrees 11' north latitude: Seasons remain as noted in the 2007 California Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet.

For more detailed information about the action taken by the Pacific Fishery Management Council visit www.pcouncil.org.

For more detailed information regarding recreational groundfish regulations and to stay informed of in-season regulation changes, call the Groundfish Hotline (831) 649-2801, or visit the Marine Region Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine.