Management and History of the White Seabass Fishery

The white seabass is an economically important species that has historically been targeted by commercial and recreational fisheries throughout their functional range, from Northern California to Magdalena Bay, along with an isolated population in the Northern Sea of Cortez  (CDFG, 2002). Fishery landings reached historically low levels in the early 1980s due largely to sustained levels of over-fishing in the latter half of the century (Vojkovich and Reed, 1983). The California coastal gill net fishery effectively harvested white seabass, especially when fish aggregated near-shore to spawn during the spring and early summer.  The gill net fishery was restricted from setting gear within state waters (<3 miles from the coast and <1 mile off of the Channel Islands), following the implementation of California Proposition 132 in 1992. The commercial season is currently closed to white seabass take between March 15 and June 15, yet annual gill net landings have still exceeded 125 metric tons in recent years outside of state waters.   

The Marine Life Management Act (MLMA) of 1998 and the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) of 1999 were also significant in the management of white seabass. Under the MLPA, the California Department of Fish and Game is mandated to develop a coastal network of marine protected areas to manage marine resources at an ecological level. Marine protected areas are designed to preserve the critical habitat and spawning populations of marine organisms and to serve as larval sources for surrounding areas.  

Recreational landings have increased dramatically in recent years indicating a rebuilding stock.  This resurgence has spurred an increase in fishing effort directed at white seabass, making this species a common target of recreational anglers in the spring (CDFG, 2002).  Recreational fisheries also target white seabass spawning aggregations, however much less is known with regard to their potential to negatively impact spawning stocks.  Recreational fishermen are currently limited to one fish over 28 inches per person per day between March 15 and June 15, while three white seabass can be kept per day the remainder of the year.  The overall catch-and-release mortality rate of juvenile white seabass has been estimated at 10%, although this rate is dependant upon the location of hook damage and is increased when deeply embedded hooks are removed (Aalbers et al, 2004). 

White seabass are also a prized target species for spearfishermen throughout California. The acute hearing capability of white seabass compels freedivers to hunt silently on a breath hold for a chance of encountering a trophy fish.  Experienced freedivers have grown accustomed to listening intently for the low-frequency sounds produced by white seabass to increase the likelihood of locating their elusive target.

Learn more about the biology of the white seabass

Back to white seabass acoustic recording project

References:

Aalbers, S. A., G. M. Stutzer, and M. A. Drawbridge. 2004. The effects of catch-and-release angling on the growth and survival of juvenile white seabass captured on offset circle and J-type hooks.  North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24:793-800

Vojkovich, M. and R. Reed. 1983. White seabass Atractoscion nobilis in California-Mexican waters: status of the fishery. California Cooperative OceanicFisheries Investigation Reports 24:79-83

California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). 2002. White seabass fishery management plan (WSFMP). California Department of Fish and Game.