the incidental take of sea birds. In the spring of 1984, the 

 closure was extended to 15 fathoms. 



In response to the increasing evidence of the incidental 

 take of sea otters, the California Department of Fish and 

 Game imposed a temporary emergency closure prohibiting the 

 use of entangling fishing nets with mesh sizes larger than 

 three inches within the 15-fathom isobath from Monterey south 

 to the Santa Maria River mouth. This closure was made 

 permanent in May 1985 and was modified to apply to nets with 

 a mesh size of 3.5 inches or larger. 



After these closures were imposed, sea otter mortalities 

 incidental to gill and trammel net fishing continued to be 

 reported. In July and August 1985, seven confirmed and three 

 probable deaths were observed in waters 15 fathoms or deeper. 

 In response, the California Department of Fish and Game 

 promulgated another emergency regulation that established a 

 20-fathom closure for the 17 miles of coastline between Cape 

 San Martin and Piedras Blancas. This closure was in effect 

 from August through December 1985. In total, ten confirmed 

 and three probable entanglement-related mortalities were 

 observed in 1985. 



Between 17 July and 9 September 1986, 20 sea otters were 

 found dead in the Monterey Bay area. Thirteen of these were 

 thought to have been killed as a result of entanglement in 

 set gill nets. In response to public reaction, a California 

 Department of Fish and Game patrol vessel was assigned to the 

 area. During its first patrol, enforcement officers aboard 

 the vessel arrested a fisherman retrieving a net illegally 

 set in 10 fathoms of water. Since that incident, and the 

 resulting publicity, sea otter mortality in the area has 

 decreased. 



In September 1986, the State of California enacted 

 permanent 20-fathom closures in two areas — the first from 

 Pico Creek in San Luis Obispo County to Cape San Martin in 

 Monterey County and the second from Pfeiffer Point to Point 

 Sur in Monterey County. In the area between these two zones 

 and in Monterey Bay, the 15-fathom closure remains in effect. 

 In order to fish with gill or trammel nets between 15 and 20 

 fathoms in those areas, however, advance notice must be filed 

 with the California Department of Fish and Game so that 

 arrangements can be made to monitor the fishing activity. In 

 addition to these closures, the State Legislature established 

 a $450,000 low-interest loan program for fisheinnen impacted 

 by closures enacted to protect marine mammals and birds. 

 Loans obtained under this program are to be applied to the 

 development and purchase of alternative fishing gear. 



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