Administrative Kelp Beds - R7 - CDFW [ds3135]

Title 14, California Code of Regulations, designates 87 administrative kelp beds for the purposes of managing commercial kelp harvest. Open kelp beds are available to commercial kelp harvest and leases cannot be issued; Closed kelp beds are closed to all kelp harvesting; Leasable kelp beds are available for kelp harvesting until the bed is leased, at which time only the lessee may harvest; Leased kelp beds are closed to all kelp harvesting unless an exclusive lease is obtained.

The California Fish and Game Commission adopted regulation amendments and new regulations for commercial harvest of kelp and other marine algae (effective January 1, 2023). The amended regulations include temporary changes that expire on January 1, 2026. The changes aim to reduce harvest pressure on bull kelp, which is in decline in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.