Increase Testing of Longlining Traditional Gear for Dungeness crab (Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and California Coast Crab Association;
Summary
SCH Number
2026020771
Public Agency
California Fish and Game Commission
(CDFGC)
Document Title
Increase Testing of Longlining Traditional Gear for Dungeness crab (Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and California Coast Crab Association;
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/20/2026
Document Description
An approved experimental fishing permit (commission tracking #2023-01) tests traditional longline fishing systems in the California commercial Dungeness crab fishery. The EFP tests the use and efficacy of using longline gear to help fill critical information gaps for alternative gear usage in the Dungeness crab fishery. Any changes to the approved EFP are subject to review by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and approval by the California Fish and Game Commission.
At the request of the permit holder, the project revises the permit terms and conditions to increase the number of allowable participants and total traps deployed, increase the number of traps used per fishing line, and enable transit through and anchorage in marine protected areas.
Contact Information
Name
Melissa Miller-Henson
Agency Name
California Fish and Game Commission
Job Title
Executive Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Does not apply. Fishing occurs off shore
Counties
Del Norte, Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma
Regions
Statewide
Other Location Info
Waters off the coast of California between the California/Oregon border (42° N. latitude) and Point Conception (34° 27’ N. latitude).
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 6, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15306
Reasons for Exemption
EFPs may be approved for one or a combination of the following purposes: research, education, limited testing, data collection, compensation fishing, conservation engineering, and exploratory fishing. All activities conducted under the authorized EFP must comply with the terms and conditions placed on the permit for research purposes and the conservation and management of marine resources and the environment. As such, the project is the proper subject of CEQA’s Class 6 categorical exemption.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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