CA SB1114

Prohibits the Department of Fish and Wildlife from issuing new drift gill net permits and requires revocation of all latent drift gill net permits within 12 months of federal authorization to use deep set buoy gear for swordfish.

Increases the annual fee for drift gill net permits from $330 to $1,500 effective March 31, 2017, and allows the department to increase fees further to recover full administrative costs.

Restricts drift gill net permit transfers beginning March 31, 2017 to only two circumstances: permanent retirement through transfer to permit-retiring entities or exchange for a deep set buoy gear permit.

Authorizes the department to establish a deep set buoy gear fishery for swordfish and issue initial permits to actively fished drift gill net holders, federal exempted fishing permit users, and certain other eligible persons upon federal authorization of the gear.

Allows the California Ocean Protection Council to fund innovation and adoption of sustainable swordfish fishing methods, including purchasing deep set buoy gear for eligible fishermen and developing marketing structures to support stable swordfish prices.