KELLET’S WHELK Kelletia kelletii It’s historical range was Isla Asuncion (central Baja, Mexico) to Pt. Conception. In green. What one would expect from a warm temperate species. Recent range extension from Conception to Monterey. This snail is common subtidally to 70 m in depth year round on rocky reefs and gravel bottoms and below offshore kelp beds. Little known about population size and distribution, do not know duration of pelagic larval stage. Spawning April – July, reproductive maturity at ~6yrs, 60mm shell length (preliminary results). California Fish and Game Commission November 17, 2011 Craig Shuman

Regulatory Timeline Emerging Fishery Designation, April 7, 2011 Authorization to publish Notice, September 15, 2011 Notice of Proposed Changes to Regulations, October 18, 2011 Discussion Hearing, November 17, 2011 Discussion and possible adoption, December 15, 2011 San Diego Implementation as early as March 1, 2012

Kellet’s Whelk Commercial Landings and Individuals Making Landings Drop from 190,000 in 2009 to 150000 in 2010 ~ 20% drop 72 to 76 individuals making landings (2009 – 2010) $117,000 in 2010. $.80/lb

Take of Kellet’s Whelk Incidental take in rock crab and lobster traps Commercial diving >1,000 ft beyond low tide mark Recreational take >1,000 ft beyond low tide mark 35 bag limit (general for invertebrates)

Options Option 1: Season Closure Option 2: Total Allowable Catch Commercial and recreational Option 2: Total Allowable Catch Option 3: Gear Restriction

Option 1: Seasonal Closure [March 1 – May 1] [May 31 – July 31]

Option 1: Seasonal Closure Pros Protection from fishing during periods of biological vulnerability Anticipated to reduce take Easy to implement and enforce Cons Can disrupt markets May not reduce overall take May shift market

Option 2: Total Allowable Catch 173,000 pounds 86,000 pounds

Option 2: Total Allowable Catch Pros Caps take at pre-determined level and prevents fishery from expanding Cons Little biological data to support specific catch limits Requires additional resources to monitor landings, close fishery and distribute notices 2010, landing fees <$1500

Option 3: Gear Restriction Prohibit commercial take of Kellet’s whelk by diving Photo. Pt.Lobos.com

Option 3: Gear Restriction

Option 3: Gear Restriction Pros Prevents targeting of aggregating whelk by divers Provides shallow water refuge Easy to enforce Prevents possible future expansion of diver-based fishery Impacts low number of fisherman (7 in 2010, 1,193 lbs) Cons Selectively excludes small number of fishermen Little biological benefit if implemented in conjunction with a seasonal closure during spawning Does little to limit current take Divers .7% take in 2010, <3% over past 5 years

Other Alternatives Considered Kellet’s whelk permit Size limit Define incidental as a percentage of target Depth limit Cumulative trip limit

Staff Recommendation Option 1 – Closed season from end of lobster season (first Wednesday after March 15) through end of June Time period comprises ~30% of historical annual total catch, 70% of diving catch Staff Recommended Closed Season

Questions Captain Sir Henry Kellett