§ 3. Continuation of existing statutes; vested rights
§ 5. Reference to laws includes amendments
§ 7. Reports to be in English; unofficial translation
§ 8. Construction of tense used
§ 9. Masculine gender inclusive
§ 9.2. Spouse includes registered domestic partner
§ 10. Singular or plural number
§ 11. Specification of time for action
§ 12. Fish and game preservation fund
§ 13. Service of notice by first-class mail
§ 14. "Anadromous fish" defined
§ 19. "Possession limit" defined
§ 30. "Commission" and "commissioner" defined
§ 35. "Day" and "week" defined
§ 43 “Ecosystem-based management”
§ 54.5. "Marine finfish aquaculture" defined
§ 61. "Ocean ranching" defined
§ 64. Order, rule and regulation
§ 73. "Section" and "subdivision" defined
§ 77. Repealed by Stats.1989, c. 318, § 2
§ 80. Provision applying to a whole animal also applies to a part
§ 81. Use of mark or signature
§ 89. "Recycled water"; "reclaimed water"
§ 89.1. "Waters of the state"; "waters of this state"; "state waters"
This code shall be known as the Fish and Game Code.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1308, § 1.)
Unless the provisions or the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this chapter govern the construction of this code and all regulations adopted under this code.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1308, § 2. Amended by Stats.1959, c. 994, p. 3016, § 1; Stats.1998, c. 1052 (A.B.1241), § 3.)
§ 3. Continuation of existing statutes; vested rights
The provisions of this code, insofar as they are substantially the same as existing statutory provisions relating to the same subject matter, shall be construed as restatements and continuations thereof, and not as new enactments. This code shall not impair any privilege granted or right acquired under any of the laws of this State prior to the date it takes effect.
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(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1308, § 3.)
Division, part, chapter, article, and section headings do not in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of the provisions of this code.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1308, § 4.)
§ 5. Reference to laws includes amendments
Whenever reference is made to any portion of this code or of any other law of this State, the reference applies to all amendments and additions heretofore or hereafter made.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1308, § 5.)
Whenever a power is granted to, or duty is imposed upon, a public officer, the power may be exercised or the duty may be performed by a deputy of the officer or by a person authorized, pursuant to law, by the officer, unless this code expressly provides otherwise.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1308, § 6.)
§ 7. Reports to be in English; unofficial translation
Whenever a statement or report is required to be made, it shall be made in the English language. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the department from providing an unofficial translation of a statement or report in a language other than English.
Credits
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1308, § 7. Amended by Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
§ 8. Construction of tense used
The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and the future, the present.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1308, § 8.)
§ 9. Masculine gender inclusive
The masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1308, § 9.)
§ 9.2. "Spouse" includes registered domestic partner
“Spouse” includes “registered domestic partner,” as required by Section 297.5 of the Family Code.
Credits
(Added by Stats.2016, c. 50 (S.B.1005), § 41, eff. Jan. 1, 2017.)
§ 10. Singular or plural number
The singular number includes the plural, and the plural, the singular.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1308, § 10.)
§ 11. Specification of time for action
Whenever in this code the doing of an act between certain dates or from one date to another is allowed or prohibited, the period of time thereby indicated includes both dates specified. The first date specified designates the first day of the period, and the second day specified designates the last day of the period. No period of time specified in this code exceeds one year unless otherwise expressly provided.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1308, § 11.)
§ 12. Fish and game preservation fund
Wherever the term “Fish Commission Fund” or “Game Preservation Fund” appears in any law, it means “Fish and Game Preservation Fund.”
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 12.)
§ 13. Service of notice by first-class mail
Unless otherwise specified by statute, any notice or other written communication required to be sent to any person by this code or regulations adopted pursuant thereto, is sufficient notice if sent by first-class mail to the last address furnished to the department by that person.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1979, c. 618, p. 1921, § 1. Amended by Stats.1994, c. 935 (S.B.492), § 1.)
§ 13.5. “Adaptive management” defined
“Adaptive management,” unless otherwise specified in this code, means management that improves the management of biological resources over time by using new information gathered through monitoring, evaluation, and other credible sources as they become available, and adjusts management strategies and practices to assist in meeting conservation and management goals. Under adaptive management, program actions are viewed as tools for learning to inform future actions.
Credits
(Added by Stats.2012, c. 559 (A.B.2402), § 3.)
§ 14. "Anadromous fish" defined
“Anadromous fish” means fish which spawn in fresh water and spend a portion of their lives in the ocean.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1982, c. 1486, § 1.5.)
“Angling” means the taking of, or attempting to take, fish by hook and line with the line held in the hand, or by hook and line with the line attached to a pole or rod which is closely attended or held in the hand in such a manner that the fish voluntarily takes the bait or lure in its mouth.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 15. Amended by Stats.1989, c. 318, § 1.)
“Affix” means physically attached to or imprinting an electronic validation to a license document.
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(Added by Stats.2001, c. 112 (A.B.435), § 1.)
“Aquaculture” means that form of agriculture devoted to the propagation, cultivation, maintenance, and harvesting of aquatic plants and animals in marine, brackish, and fresh water. “Aquaculture” does not include species of ornamental marine or freshwater plants and animals not utilized for human consumption or bait purposes that are maintained in closed systems for personal, pet industry, or hobby purposes, however, these species continue to be regulated under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 2116) of Division 3.
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(Added by Stats.1982, c. 1486, § 2. Amended by Stats.1983, c. 131, § 1, eff. June 27, 1983.)
“Bag limit” means the maximum limit, in number or amount, of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians that may lawfully be taken by any one person during a specified period of time.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 18. Amended by Stats.2007, c. 285 (A.B.1729), § 1.)
§ 19. "Possession limit" defined
“Possession limit” means the maximum, in number or amount, of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians that may be lawfully possessed by one person.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.2007, c. 285 (A.B.1729), § 2.)
“Bird” means a wild bird or part of a wild bird.
Credits
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 22. Amended by Stats.1977, c. 1208, p. 4082, § 1; Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
“Buy” includes an offer to buy, purchase, barter, exchange, or trade.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 24. Amended by Stats.1985, c. 1403, § 1.)
“Chumming” means the placing in the water of fish, or other material upon which fish feed, for the purpose of attracting fish to a particular area in order that they may be taken.
Credits
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 27. Amended by Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
“Closed season” means that period of time during which the taking of birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, or reptiles is prohibited.
Credits
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 29. Amended by Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
§ 30. "Commission" and "commissioner" defined
“Commission” means the Fish and Game Commission, and “commissioner” means a member of the Fish and Game Commission.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 30.)
“County” includes city and county.
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(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 32.)
§ 33. “Credible science” defined
“Credible science” means the best available scientific information that is not overly prescriptive due to the dynamic nature of science, and includes the evaluation principles of relevance, inclusiveness, objectivity, transparency, timeliness, verification, validation, and peer review of information as appropriate. Credible science also recognizes the need for adaptive management, as defined in Section 13.5, as scientific knowledge evolves.
Credits
(Added by Stats.2012, c. 559 (A.B.2402), § 4.)
§ 35. "Day" and "week" defined
“Day” means calendar day, and “week” means calendar week.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 35.)
“Department” means the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Credits
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 37. Amended by Stats.2012, c. 559 (A.B.2402), § 5.)
“Director” means the Director of Fish and Wildlife.
Credits
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 39. Amended by Stats.1984, c. 1323, § 1; Stats.2012, c. 559 (A.B.2402), § 6.)
“District” means fish and game district.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 41.)
§ 43. “Ecosystem-based management” defined
“Ecosystem-based management” means an environmental management approach relying on credible science, as defined in Section 33, that recognizes the full array of interactions within an ecosystem, including humans, rather than considering single issues, species, or ecosystem services in isolation.
Credits
(Added by Stats.2012, c. 559 (A.B.2402), § 7.)
“Fish” means a wild fish, mollusk, crustacean, invertebrate, amphibian, or part, spawn, or ovum of any of those animals.
Credits
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 45. Amended by Stats.1969, c. 689, p. 1357, § 1; Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
“Guide boat” means a boat or vessel under 25 feet in length, which is used by a guide, who is licensed under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2535) of Division 3, in inland waters for any of the following purposes:
(1) For the business of packing or guiding.
(2) For compensation, to assist another person in taking or attempting to take any fish or amphibian.
(3) For compensation, to assist another person in locating any bird or mammal.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1987, c. 200, § 1, eff. July 23, 1987.)
“Hook” or “fishhook” means an implement to catch or hold fish or amphibia. “Single hook” means any hook with one point and with or without a barb; “double hook” means any hook with two points and with or without barbs; “treble or triple hook” means any hook with three points and with or without barbs. “Snag” or “gaff” hooks are hooks with or without handles used to take fish in such manner that the fish does not take the hook voluntarily in its mouth.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 48.)
“Kelp” means kelp or other marine aquatic plants and the seeds thereof.
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(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 51.)
“Mammal” means a wild or feral mammal or part of a wild or feral animal, but not a wild, feral, or undomesticated burro.
Credits
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 54. Amended by Stats.1977, c. 1208, p. 4082, § 2; Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
§ 54.5. "Marine finfish aquaculture" defined
“Marine finfish aquaculture” means the propagation, cultivation, or maintenance of finfish species in the waters of the Pacific Ocean that are regulated by this state.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.2006, c. 36 (S.B.201), § 2.)
“Mile” means either a statute mile (5,280 feet) or a nautical mile (6,077 feet) depending on the application. Statute miles shall be the unit of measurement for all land masses, rivers, streams, creeks, and inland bodies of water. Nautical miles shall be the unit of measurement for all marine waters.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1992, c. 1370 (A.B.3193), § 1, eff. Oct. 27, 1992.)
“Net” means any gear made of any kind of twine, thread, string, rope, wire, wood, or other materials used for the gilling, entangling, trapping, or impounding of fish.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1309, § 56.)
“Nonresident” means a person who is not a resident as defined in Section 70.
Credits
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 57. Amended by Stats.1959, c. 270, p. 2170, § 1; Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 7, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
“Oath” includes affirmation.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 60.)
§ 61. "Ocean ranching" defined
“Ocean ranching” means aquaculture where juvenile anadromous fish are reared and released into state waters to grow and return to an aquaculture facility to be harvested commercially.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1982, c. 1486, § 3.)
“Open season” means that period of time during which the taking of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians is allowed as prescribed in this code and regulations adopted by the commission. If used to define the period of time during which take is allowed “season” means “open season.”
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 62. Amended by Stats.2007, c. 285 (A.B.1729), § 3.)
§ 64. Order, rule and regulation
“Order,” “rule,” and “regulation” are used interchangeably and each includes the others.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 64.)
“Person” means any natural person or any partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, or other type of association.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 67. Amended by Stats.1987, c. 633, § 1; Stats.1988, c. 1059, § 2; Stats.1994, c. 1010 (S.B.2053), § 121.)
“Purchase” means “buy” as defined in Section 24.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1985, c. 1403, § 2.)
“Resident” means any person who has resided continuously in the State of California for six months or more immediately prior to the date of application for a license or permit, any person on active military duty with the Armed Forces of the United States or auxiliary branch thereof, or any person enrolled in the Job Corps established pursuant to former Section 2883 of Title 29 of the United States Code.
Credits
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 70. Amended by Stats.1957, c. 391, p. 1232, § 2; Stats.1959, c. 270, p. 2171, § 2; Stats.2001, c. 112 (A.B.435), § 2; Stats.2023, c. 132 (A.B.1760), § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2024.)
§ 73. "Section" and "subdivision" defined
“Section” means a section of this code unless some other statute is specifically mentioned. “Subdivision” means a subdivision of the section in which that term occurs unless some other section is expressly mentioned.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 73.)
“Sell” includes offer or possess for sale, barter, exchange, or trade.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 75.)
§ 77. Repealed by Stats.1989, c. 318, § 2
“Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 79.)
§ 80. Provision applying to a whole animal also applies to a part
Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, a provision of this code that applies to a whole animal also applies to a part of the animal.
Credits
(Added by Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 8, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
§ 81. Use of mark or signature
“Signature” or “subscription” includes mark when the signer or subscriber cannot write, such signer's or subscriber's name being written near the mark by a witness who writes his own name near the signer's or subscriber's name; but a signature or subscription by mark can be acknowledged or can serve as a signature or subscription to a sworn statement only when two witnesses also sign their own names.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 81.)
“Slurp gun” means a self-contained, hand-held device used to capture fish by rapidly drawing water containing fish into a closed chamber.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1992, c. 742 (A.B.2261), § 1.)
“State” means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. In the latter case, it includes the District of Columbia and the territories.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 83.)
“Take” means hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 86.)
“Transport” includes offer or receive for transportation.
CREDIT(S)
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1310, § 88.)
§ 89." Recycled water"; "reclaimed water"
For the purposes of this code, “recycled water” or “reclaimed water” has the same meaning as recycled water as defined in subdivision (n) of Section 13050 of the Water Code.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1995, c. 28 (A.B.1247), § 1.)
§ 89.1. "Waters of the state"; "waters of this state"; "state waters"
“Waters of the state,” “waters of this state,” and “state waters” have the same meaning as “waters of the state” as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 13050 of the Water Code.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.2007, c. 285 (A.B.1729), § 4.)
“Wildlife” means and includes all wild animals, birds, plants, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and related ecological communities, including the habitat upon which the wildlife depends for its continued viability.
Credits
(Added by Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 9, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)