Gill nets: permits.

Assembly Member Bennett's proposal to modify California's commercial fishing regulations would restrict the transfer of gill net and trammel net permits beginning January 1, 2027. The measure eliminates provisions allowing permit transfers upon a holder's disability or death while limiting other transfers to one-time transactions between family members.

Under current law, permitholders who have commercially fished for at least 15 of the preceding 20 years may transfer their permits to any qualified individual. The proposed changes maintain this experience requirement but narrow eligible recipients to family members only. Once transferred to a family member, the permit becomes permanently nontransferable. The Department of Fish and Wildlife retains authority to renew existing permits but cannot issue new ones.

The Fish and Game Commission must establish regulations to implement these modified transfer provisions while maintaining its existing oversight of the gill net and trammel net fishery. The bill's findings note that these amendments create more restrictive conditions on gill net and trammel net use compared to 1989 standards, aligning with constitutional requirements and existing fishery management frameworks.