This chapter shall be known as the Black Bass Conservation and Management Act of 1980.
(Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1302, Sec. 1.)
The Legislature hereby finds and declares that it is the policy of the state to preserve and enhance black bass resources and to manage black bass populations to provide satisfactory recreational opportunities to the public.
(Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1302, Sec. 1.)
The Legislature further finds and declares that the black bass management program components specified in this chapter are a continuation of the department’s existing warmwater fisheries program, and, as such, shall be funded from existing department budgetary resources.
(Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1302, Sec. 1.)
(a) The department’s black bass management program shall include, but not be limited to, the following components:
(1) The department shall determine the angler harvest of black bass populations and shall recommend to the commission the changes in angling regulations for black bass that would be necessary to prevent or correct overharvest.
(2) The department shall consider recommending to the commission catch and release regulations for black bass, including minimum or maximum size restrictions and management for trophy-sized black bass in some waters.
(3) The department shall consider the suitability of the many different species, subspecies, and strains of black bass when management programs are formulated.
(4) The department shall improve shoreline habitat for black bass in waters where insufficient habitat exists and shall encourage reservoir operating agencies to carry out shoreline habitat improvement projects.
(b) For the purposes of this section, “black bass” means fishes of the Centrarchidae family.
(Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1302, Sec. 1.)