2011 California Code
Fish and Game Code
DIVISION 6. FISH [5500 - 9101]
CHAPTER 2. Marine Fisheries Generally
Section 7056

In order to achieve the primary fishery management goal of sustainability, every sport and commercial marine fishery under the jurisdiction of the state shall be managed under a system whose objectives include all of the following:

(a) The fishery is conducted sustainably so that long-term health of the resource is not sacrificed in favor of short-term benefits. In the case of a fishery managed on the basis of maximum sustainable yield, management shall have optimum yield as its objective.

(b) The health of marine fishery habitat is maintained and, to the extent feasible, habitat is restored, and where appropriate, habitat is enhanced.

(c) Depressed fisheries are rebuilt to the highest sustainable yields consistent with environmental and habitat conditions.

(d) The fishery limits bycatch to acceptable types and amounts, as determined for each fishery.

(e) The fishery management system allows fishery participants to propose methods to prevent or reduce excess effort in marine fisheries.

(f) Management of a species that is the target of both sport and commercial fisheries or of a fishery that employs different gears is closely coordinated.

(g) Fishery management decisions are adaptive and are based on the best available scientific information and other relevant information that the commission or department possesses or receives, and the commission and department have available to them essential fishery information on which to base their decisions.

(h) The management decisionmaking process is open and seeks the advice and assistance of interested parties so as to consider relevant information, including local knowledge.

(i) The fishery management system observes the long-term interests of people dependent on fishing for food, livelihood, or recreation.

(j) The adverse impacts of fishery management on small-scale fisheries, coastal communities, and local economies are minimized.

(k) Collaborative and cooperative approaches to management, involving fishery participants, marine scientists, and other interested parties are strongly encouraged, and appropriate mechanisms are in place to resolve disputes such as access, allocation, and gear conflicts.

(l) The management system is proactive and responds quickly to changing environmental conditions and market or other socioeconomic factors and to the concerns of fishery participants.

(m) The management system is periodically reviewed for effectiveness in achieving sustainability goals and for fairness and reasonableness in its interaction with people affected by management.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1052, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 1999.)