(a) Except as otherwise provided in this code, drift gill nets and set gill nets may be used in Districts 17, 18, 19, and 20A, except for the taking of salmon.
(b) Rockfish and lingcod may be taken with drift gill nets and set gill nets in Districts 17, 18, 19, and 20A, subject to the following restrictions:
(1) Rockfish and lingcod shall not be taken between a line running due west magnetic from the lighthouse at Point Piedras Blancas and a line running due west magnetic from Point Sal in water less than 40 fathoms.
(2) Rockfish and lingcod shall not be taken between a line running 250° magnetic from the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and a line running 240° magnetic from Point Santa Cruz, inside 40 fathoms, by means of drift gill nets or set gill nets which have mesh smaller than 51/2 inches.
(3) Drift gill nets and set gill nets shall not be used nor shall they be possessed on any boat taking rockfish and lingcod with mesh smaller than 41/8 inches when used in Districts 17 and 18 north of Point Buchon, or with mesh smaller than 41/8 inches when used in District 18 south of Point Buchon or in District 19. Drift gill nets and set gill nets used or possessed on any boat taking rockfish and lingcod in District 17, 18, or 19, shall not be constructed of twine larger than number 6 nylon, except that the bottom 15 meshes may be constructed of heavier twine.
(4) In District 18 south of Point Sal and in District 19, drift gill nets and set gill nets shall not be used to take rockfish and lingcod with the mesh of the net in waters less than 70 fathoms in depth, except that those nets shall not be used in waters less than 100 fathoms in depth at the Sixty Mile Bank.
(5) Loads or lots of fish taken in the areas described in paragraphs 1 to 4, inclusive, may contain 200 pounds or less of rockfish and lingcod in combination, but in no instance more than 100 pounds of rockfish.
(6) Gill nets shall not be used to take rockfish in District 20A.
(Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 589, Sec. 3.)