California Recreational Ocean Fishing Regulations

Kelp and Ocean Plant Regulations

All laws or regulations hereunder are either reproduced verbatim from the Fish and Game Code or from Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), as adopted by the Fish and Game Commission under authority of the Fish and Game Code.

This page was updated on March 2, 2022.

Also see: General Provisions and Definitions  |  General Ocean Invertebrate Fishing Regulations  |  General Ocean Finfish Fishing Regulations  |  Marine Protected Areas  |  Full Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Booklet (PDF)Full 2022-2023 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Booklet (PDF)(opens in new tab)


30.00. Kelp General.

(a) Except as provided in this section and in Section 30.10 there is no closed season, closed hours or minimum size limit for any species of marine aquatic plant. The daily bag limit on all marine aquatic plants for which the take is authorized, except as provided in Section 28.60, is 10 pounds wet weight in the aggregate.

(b) Marine aquatic plants may not be cut or harvested in state marine reserves. Regulations within state marine conservation areas and state marine parks may prohibit cutting or harvesting of marine aquatic plants per sub-section 632(b) [marine protected area regulations].

30.10. Prohibited Species. No eel grass (Zostera), surf grass (Phyllospadix), or sea palm (Postelsia) may be cut or disturbed.

people fishing from shore CDFW photo by K. Penttila

Additional Resources

2024 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulation Booklet (PDF)2022-2023 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulation Booklet (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Visit our Ocean Sport Fishing web page for sport fishing regulations, fish identification resources, how-to videos, maps, and other useful fishing information.

cell phone Try our Ocean Sport Fishing Interactive Web Map(opens in new tab) on your next fishing trip! Find fishing regulations, marine protected areas, groundfish conservation area depth restrictions, and more from your cell phone!

California Fishing Passport

California Fishing Passport

A fishing incentive and recognition program to highlight and promote fishing throughout the state. Download a copy of the California Fishing Passport book listing 150 different popular fresh and saltwater finfish and shellfish that occur throughout the state.