(a) Set nets and set lines shall be marked at both ends with buoys displaying above their waterlines, in numerals at least 2 inches high, the fisherman’s identification number.
(b) Each piece or panel of a set net shall be marked along the corkline of the net, in a manner determined by the department to adequately identify the net, with the fisherman’s identification number. The distance between the markings shall not exceed 45 fathoms. If the lost or abandoned net is recovered by the department or persons designated by the department, the commission may require the owner of the lost or abandoned net to pay for all recovery costs. The commission may revoke the owner’s set net permit issued pursuant to Section 8681 for failure to comply with this subdivision.
(c) If a person is unable to recover a set net or portion of a set net, the person shall contact one of the department offices located in the City of Belmont, Monterey, Los Alamitos, or San Diego, not later than 72 hours after returning to port following the loss and shall report all of the following information:
(1) The date and time when the set net was lost.
(2) The location, including depth, where the net was lost.
(3) A description of the lost net, including the mesh size, length, height, and target species, and whether anchors remain attached to the net.
(4) The name and fisherman’s identification number of the person owning the net.
(5) The name and fisherman’s identification number of the person fishing with the net, if different from paragraph (4).
(6) The name and California Fish and Game number of the vessel from which the lost net was being fished.
(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 753, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 2002.)