Waters off the coast of California are split into five distinct groundfish management areas used in the regulation and management of groundfish fisheries. All fishing areas extend from the shoreline to 200 miles offshore. The latitudinal boundaries for each fishing area are as follows:

• Northern Management Area: The California-Oregon border to Cape Mendocino (40°10' N. latitude)

• Mendocino Management Area: Cape Mendocino (40°10' N. latitude) to Point Arena (38°57.5' N. latitude)

• San Francisco Management Area: Point Arena (38°57.5' N. latitude) to Pigeon Point (37°11' N. latitude)

• Central Management Area: Pigeon Point (37°11' N. latitude) to Point Conception (34°27' N. latitude)

  • Within the Central Groundfish Management Area, seasons and depth restrictions may differ north and south of a line extending west of 36° N. lat. (near Point Lopez, Monterey County). The areas north and south of this line are referred to as the Central Groundfish Management Area – North 36° N. lat. and the Central Groundfish Management Area – South of 36° N. lat.

• Southern Management Area: Point Conception (34°27' N. latitude) to the U.S.-Mexico border

Attributes:

Region: Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, Central, Southern.

Detail: Latitudinal boundaries of management areas.