Cordell Bank Fishery Regulation Changes 

The first iteration of the Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area (GCA) was implemented during the 2004 Harvest Specifications and Management Measures specifically to prohibit recreational groundfish fishing as a measure to protect rockfish species that were declared overfished in the preceding years (69 FR 11063). It was eventually expanded as part of the 2005-06 Biennial Harvest Specifications and Management Measures process, the Cordell Bank GCA to prohibit all groundfish fishing, except for fishing for the Other Flatfish complex by the non-trawl commercial and recreational sectors and was specified in regulation with its own coordinates (69 FR 77011). Currently, the Cordell Bank GCA prohibits take of groundfish, except for non-trawl commercial take of the Other Flatfish complex (50 CFR 660.230(d)(16) and 50 CFR 660.330(d)(18)), and recreational take of the Other Flatfish complex, petrale sole and starry flounder (50 CFR 660.360(c)(3)(i)(C)). The Cordell Bank GCA does not restrict other fishery activities from operating within the area but groundfish retention rules still apply. 

In the area of Cordell Bank, there are two essential fish habitat conservation areas (EFHCAs) for bottom trawl and bottom contact gear as well as the non-trawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA).  The result of these closures in a small area resulted in four different and overlapping conservation areas, which has created regulatory complexity, enforcement complications, and confusion among fishermen of what gear types are allowed in which areas.   

During the consideration of Amendment 32 and the 2023-24 biennial harvest specifications, issues with the overlapping regulatory areas became more apparent as the RCA lines were changing.  Therefore, in March 2023, under Workload and New Management Measure Priorities, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) prioritized scoping and potential development of removing the Cordell Bank GCA and other associated changes as described in Agenda Item F.8.a, Supplemental CDFW Report 1, March 2023.   

In September 2023, CDFW proposed to the PFMC to remove the Cordell Bank GCA entirely (yellow polygon in Figure 1) and create a new Groundfish Exclusion Area (GEA) that overlays the existing bottom contact EFHCA, which is intended to minimize impacts to sensitive environments from certain groundfish fishing activities. GEAs were developed as a management measure under Amendment 32 for the protection of sensitive areas. The Council recommended that the proposed action move forward for development. 

In November 2024, the Council adopted the purpose and need, a range of alternatives, and the preliminary preferred alternative. The Council is scheduled to select a final preferred alternative in March 2025.