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HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 2Ch. 7§ 1700 Ocean Resource Conservation Policy

§ 1700 Ocean Resource Conservation Policy

Fish and Game Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1700 Ocean Resource Conservation Policy

The law states that California will protect ocean life, keep fish populations strong, allow sport and commercial fishing within sustainable limits, and manage fisheries using science for the benefit of all citizens.

Key Takeaways

  • •The state must keep enough fish to maintain healthy populations.
  • •Sport fishing is allowed but must be regulated to sustainable levels.
  • •Commercial fisheries must be developed while protecting the environment.
  • •Fishery management relies on scientific data and public input.

Example

A family plans a weekend sport fishing trip for salmon off the California coast.

The law requires that they only keep a limited number of salmon so the population stays healthy and can continue to be enjoyed by future anglers.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1700 Ocean Resource Conservation Policy

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to encourage the conservation, maintenance, and utilization of the living resources of the ocean and other waters under the jurisdiction and influence of the state for the benefit of all the citizens of the state and to promote the development of local fisheries and distant-water fisheries based in California in harmony with international law respecting fishing and the conservation of the living resources of the oceans and other waters under the jurisdiction and influence of the state. This policy shall include all of the following objectives: (a) The maintenance of sufficient populations of all species of aquatic organisms to insure their continued existence. (b) The recognition of the importance of the aesthetic, educational, scientific, and nonextractive recreational uses of the living resources of the California Current. (c) The maintenance of a sufficient resource to support a reasonable sport use, where a species is the object of sport fishing, taking into consideration the necessity of regulating individual sport fishery bag limits to the quantity that is sufficient to provide a satisfying sport. (d) The growth of local commercial fisheries, consistent with aesthetic, educational, scientific, and recreational uses of such living resources, the utilization of unused resources, taking into consideration the necessity of regulating the catch within the limits of maximum sustainable yields, and the development of distant-water and overseas fishery enterprises. (e) The management, on a basis of adequate scientific information promptly promulgated for public scrutiny, of the fisheries under the state’s jurisdiction, and the participation in the management of other fisheries in which California fishermen are engaged, with the objective of maximizing the sustained harvest. (f) The development of commercial aquaculture. (Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1486, Sec. 4.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

conservationmaintenanceutilizationliving resources

Related Statutes

  • § 450 Deer Population Conservation Policy
  • § 2081.15 Permitted Species Take Authorization
  • § 3400 Private Wildlife Habitat Enhancement
  • § 15600 Aquatic Species Import Permits
  • § 15601 Aquatic Species Import Approval

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 1700.
View Official Source