New regulations have increased the 2012 California recreational and commercial limits for greenlings, effective today. The new regulations were developed by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) in collaboration with fishermen, the California Fish and Game Commission and federal partners over the past two years.

The changes will apply to California's 2012 recreational and commercial regulations statewide. They include:

- Increasing the daily recreational bag limit for greenlings to 10 fish within the 10 fish Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenling (RCG) complex daily bag limit.New Recreational and Commercial Fishing Opportunities for Greenlings Effective May 1, 2012

- Increasing the total allowable catch for greenlings to 121,900 pounds (55.3 metric tons), consistent with federal limits and three times the current total allowable catch.

- Increasing the commercial bi-monthly trip limits.

The 2012 shore-based fishery for federally managed groundfish, including kelp greenling, rockfish and lingcod is open year-round. The boat-based recreational seasons are:

- Northern Management Area, May 12 through Oct. 31
- Mendocino Management Area, May 12 through Aug. 15
- San Francisco Management Area, June 1 through Dec. 31
- Central Management Area, May 1 through Dec. 31
- Southern Management Area, March 1 through Dec. 31

Note: The current Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet incorrectly states that the Mendocino Management Area recreational fishing season for rockfish ends on Oct. 31, 2012. The actual ending date of the season is Aug. 15, 2012. A correction will be provided in the upcoming Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing regulations supplement.

Anglers are advised to check regulations before targeting any federally managed groundfish, including kelp greenling. For more information about the 2012 recreational groundfish regulations and the commercial trip limits, anglers can check the DFG website at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/groundfishcentral or call the Recreational Groundfish Hotline at (831) 649-2801.