SB 1287 - Fishing

• Expands Director of Fish and Wildlife authority to close waters or restrict taking of any fish species (not just commercial) when toxic substances pose human health risks; requires Fish and Game Commission notification and public discussion at next scheduled meeting; exempts closures from Administrative Procedure Act requirements.

• Establishes retrieval permit program for lost or abandoned Dungeness crab traps during closed season, with fees charged to vessel permitholders; prohibits permit renewal until retrieval fees are paid; allows department to use nongovernmental organizations to implement program.

• Requires department to issue waivers from biennial crab trap tag fees ($5 per trap) to participants unable to fish due to mandatory military service; allows vessels to transit state waters with Oregon or Washington tagged traps without California tags if no crab is onboard and traps not deployed.

• Limits 30-day Dungeness crab fishing start prohibition to vessels that previously fished in other areas before delayed season opening; applies restriction only when the same vessel is used in restricted waters.

• Designates bill as "Whale Protection and Crab Gear Retrieval Act" with provisions becoming inoperative April 1, 2019 (repealed January 1, 2020) unless extended by later statute.