CHAPTER 2. Marine Life Definitions [90. - 99.5.]

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC 2.

in effect

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 90. Section 90.

The definitions in this chapter govern the construction of Section 1022, Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 1700) of Division 2, and Division 6 (commencing with Section 5500), and all regulations adopted pursuant to those provisions.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 90.1. Section 90.1.

“Adaptive management,” in regard to a marine fishery, means a scientific policy that seeks to improve management of biological resources, particularly in areas of scientific uncertainty, by viewing program actions as tools for learning. Actions shall be designed so that even if they fail, they will provide useful information for future actions. Monitoring and evaluation shall be emphasized so that the interaction of different elements within the system can be better understood.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 90.5. Section 90.5.

“Bycatch” means fish or other marine life that are taken in a fishery but which are not the target of the fishery. “Bycatch” includes discards.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 90.7. Section 90.7.

“Depressed,” with regard to a marine fishery, means the condition of a fishery for which the best available scientific information, and other relevant information that the commission or department possesses or receives, indicates a declining population trend has occurred over a period of time appropriate to that fishery. With regard to fisheries for which management is based on maximum sustainable yield, or in which a natural mortality rate is available, “depressed” means the condition of a fishery that exhibits declining fish population abundance levels below those consistent with maximum sustainable yield.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 91. Section 91.

“Discards” means fish that are taken in a fishery but are not retained because they are of an undesirable species, size, sex, or quality, or because they are required by law not to be retained.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 93. Section 93.

“Essential fishery information,” with regard to a marine fishery, means information about fish life history and habitat requirements; the status and trends of fish populations, fishing effort, and catch levels; fishery effects on fish age structure and on other marine living resources and users, and any other information related to the biology of a fish species or to taking in the fishery that is necessary to permit fisheries to be managed according to the requirements of this code.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 94. Section 94.

“Fishery” means both of the following: (a) One or more populations of marine fish or marine plants that may be treated as a unit for purposes of conservation and management and that are identified on the basis of geographical, scientific, technical, recreational, and economic characteristics. (b) Fishing for, harvesting, or catching the populations described in (a).

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 96. Section 96.

“Marine living resources” includes all wild mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and plants that normally occur in or are associated with salt water, and the marine habitats upon which these animals and plants depend for their continued viability.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 96.5. Section 96.5.

“Maximum sustainable yield” in a marine fishery means the highest average yield over time that does not result in a continuing reduction in stock abundance, taking into account fluctuations in abundance and environmental variability.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 97. Section 97.

“Optimum yield,” with regard to a marine fishery, means the amount of fish taken in a fishery that does all of the following: (a) Provides the greatest overall benefit to the people of California, particularly with respect to food production and recreational opportunities, and takes into account the protection of marine ecosystems. (b) Is the maximum sustainable yield of the fishery, as reduced by relevant economic, social, or ecological factors. (c) In the case of an overfished fishery, provides for rebuilding to a level consistent with producing maximum sustainable yield in the fishery.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 97.5. Section 97.5.

“Overfished,” with regard to a marine fishery, means both of the following: (a) A depressed fishery. (b) A reduction of take in the fishery is the principal means for rebuilding the population.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 98. Section 98.

“Overfishing” means a rate or level of taking that the best available scientific information, and other relevant information that the commission or department possesses or receives, indicates is not sustainable or that jeopardizes the capacity of a marine fishery to produce the maximum sustainable yield on a continuing basis.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 98.2. Section 98.2.

“Participants” in regard to a fishery means the sportfishing, commercial fishing, and fish receiving and processing sectors of the fishery.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 98.5. Section 98.5.

“Population” or “stock” means a species, subspecies, geographical grouping, or other category of fish capable of management as a unit.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 99. Section 99.

“Restricted access,” with regard to a marine fishery, means a fishery in which the number of persons who may participate, or the number of vessels that may be used in taking a specified species of fish, or the catch allocated to each fishery participant, is limited by statute or regulation.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 99.5. Section 99.5.

“Sustainable,” “sustainable use,” and “sustainability,” with regard to a marine fishery, mean both of the following: (a) Continuous replacement of resources, taking into account fluctuations in abundance and environmental variability. (b) Securing the fullest possible range of present and long-term economic, social, and ecological benefits, maintaining biological diversity, and, in the case of fishery management based on maximum sustainable yield, taking in a fishery that does not exceed optimum yield.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026