Coastal Conservation Association Applauds State For Voting To Hold Summer Sand Bass Fishery
The California Fish and Game Commission has approved a summer barred sand bass fishing season in waters off the California coast.
The Coastal Conservation Association of California issued the following press release:
CCA CAL APPLAUDS THE CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION’S DECISION TO MAINTAIN A SUMMER SAND BASS SEASON
The Commission approves by a narrow margin a four-fish sub-limit for barred sand bass for the next three years, forestalling a summer closure
April 17, 2025: In the narrowest of margins, the California Fish and Game Commission has voted to establish a four-fish daily sub-bag limit for barred sand bass for the next three years, forestalling a no-take summer season for this species. The vote was 2-1.
“The Coastal Conservation Association of California worked diligently with our coalition partners and others in the sand bass working group assembled by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop these recommended solutions,” says Chris Arechaederra, executive director for CCA CAL. “We are delighted that the Commission has voted to accept these CDFW recommendations.”
The Commission’s vote concludes a process that began last year when the CDFW proposed reducing the take of barred sand bass based on data showing declining sport-landings over the past several years, particularly during the June-to-August time frame when great numbers of the barred sand bass sometimes gather to spawn over mud flats. Based on this study, some Commissioners were leaning toward a closure of barred sand bass starting with the 2025 summer season.
Based on a belief that catch rates alone are not sufficient to support such drastic measures, CCA CAL and its coalition partners—including the Sportfishing Association of California and the American Sportfishing Association—jumped into action. CCA CAL, SAC and ASA met individually with members of the Commission to voice the concerns of the sportfishing community, present key points to consider and seek alternative solutions to a seasonal closure.
CCA CAL also encouraged its members and other anglers to respectfully voice their concerns and fears regarding a no-take season in letters to the Commission, as well as in public comments at the February 2025 meeting and the April 2025 meeting, at which the Commission cast its vote in favor of CCA CAL’s position, thus avoiding a seasonal closure.
“CCA CAL has also agreed to lend a hand with much-needed data collection on barred sand bass,” says Arechaederra. “We look forward to helping the Department and Commission develop a more accurate stock assessment to better inform regulatory decisions regarding this important recreational species going forward.”
Under the new regulations—which become effective June 1, 2025—the four-fish sub-bag-limit for barred sand bass exists within an aggregate five-fish bass limit that can also include kelp bass and spotted sand bass. Prior to this change, no sub-bag-limit for barred sand bass existed within the aggregate five-fish limit. Minimum legal size for each fish is 14 inches.
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ABOUT CCA CAL: The Coastal Conservation Association of California was created in 2015 when recreational anglers and outdoor enthusiasts came together to work for the conservation and enhancement of our marine resources and coastal environments. Today, CCA CAL working to protect the health, habitat, and sustainability of California marine resources, as well as the interests of saltwater anglers. CCA CAL consists of members spread across local chapters in California and growing every day.
