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).
Photo. B. Hackett
KELLET’S WHELK Kelletia kelletii

2. Biological Characteristics
Primary Range: Baja to Pt. Conception
Kelp forests and rocky reefs to 70 m
Unknown population status
Limited biological knowledge (unknown larval duration)
Slow growth rates
Spawning and feeding
aggregations
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 May – July, reproductive maturity at ~6yrs, 60mm shell length (preliminary results).
Photo. Pt.Lobos.com

3. 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)

4. Kellet’s Whelk Commercial Landings and Individuals Making Landings

5. Emerging Fisheries
FGC § Emerging Fisheries; Proactive Management
7090 (a) “…the commission, based upon the advice and recommendations of the department, shall encourage, manage, and regulate emerging fisheries.”
7090(b)(1) “…are related to a trend of increased landings or participants in the fishery and the degree of existing regulation of the fishery.”

6. Recommendation
Designate fishery for Kellet’s whelk as an emerging fishery
Direct staff to work with Department to develop simple regulations to ensure a sustainable fishery
Season to protect spawning

7. Questions
Captain Sir Henry Kellett

8. Distribution of Landings by Gear

9. 2008 Individual Trap Landings of Kellet's Whelk
Southern Rock Crab Trap Permit
No Southern Rock Crab Trap Permit
61 trap based fishermen landed KW in 2008
Top trapper = 23% of catch
50% top 3
75% top 7
Southern rock crab trap permit 62%
No Southern rock crab trap permit 38%
Enforcement concerns

10. FGC §7090 Emerging Fisheries; Proactive Management
(b) (1) A fishery that the director has determined is an emerging fishery, based on criteria that are approved by the commission and are related to a trend of increased landings or participants in the fishery and the degree of existing regulation of the fishery. (d) The commission, upon the recommendation of the department, may do either, or both, of the following: (1) Adopt regulations that limit taking in the fishery by means that may include, but not be limited to, restricting landings, time, area, gear, or access. These regulations may remain in effect until a fishery management plan is adopted.
FGC 7090.docx

11. Status of the Fisheries Report 2008
Management Considerations
“Subject to a rapidly expanding fishery, the harvest of Kellet’s whelks is not regulated by a minimum size limit, season, or any type of harvest quotas. Due to life history characteristics such as slow growth rates and aggregate feeding behavior, and the lack of knowledge on the impact of increased fishing rates, interim regulations should be implemented under a precautionary principle until a stock assessment can be completed.”
“Establishing a minimum size limit of 3.0 inches (7.6 centimeters) in shell length to allow for successful reproduction prior to harvest, and a closed season from March through May to protect spawning aggregations would be beneficial to the fishery.”
kelletswhelk status of fisheries report through 2008.pdf

12. 2008 Individual Trap Landings of Kellet's Whelk
75% 50
38%
Southern Rock Crab Trap Permit
No Southern Rock Crab Trap Permit
61 trap based fishermen landed KW in 2008
Top trapper = 23% of catch
23 of 61 no Southern rock crab trap permit 38%
38 of 61 with Southern rock crab trap permit 62%
50% top 3
75% top 7

13. 2008 Individual Catch Distribution Top 10 Kellet's Whelk Landings - SRCTP