1. 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

2. 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, San Diego
Implementation as early as March 1, 2012

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

4. 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)

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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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

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

11. Option 3: Gear Restriction

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. Questions
Captain Sir Henry Kellett