Section 180.2 - Trap Destruction DevicesPursuant to the provisions of Section 9003 of the Fish and Game Code, every trap used to take fin fish, mollusks or crustaceans shall contain at least one destruction device that complies with the specifications described in this Section. The use of any structures or materials that defeat or interfere with the purpose of the destruct device is prohibited.
(a) Escape openings. (1) Each trap destruct device shall create an unobstructed escape opening in the top or upper half of the trap of at least 5 inches in diameter when the destruct attachment material corrodes or fails, except for traps used under authority of a Tanner Crab Trap Vessel Permit.(2) Traps used under authority of a Tanner Crab Trap Vessel Permit shall have an unobstructed escape opening in any sidewall or on the top of the trap; the escape opening shall not be on the floor of the trap. The opening shall measure not less than 11 inches taken at its smallest inside diameter. If the opening is non-rigid or contained within pliable mesh, the smallest inside diameter measurement shall be taken so that a rigid cylindrical measuring device 11 inches in its outside diameter and at least 6.5 inches in length shall be able to pass easily through the opening.(b) The escape opening on each trap must be closed with one of the following destruct attachment materials: (1) 14 gauge (.080 + or - .003 inch) or smaller metal hog rings excluding stainless steel or other non-corrodible materials;(2) untreated cotton twine size No. 21-thread or less, except that traps used to take Dungeness, Tanner or rock crabs are limited to a single strand of untreated cotton twine size No. 120 or less;(3) 24 gauge (.028 + or - .003 inch) or smaller uncoated bare metal crimps excluding stainless steel or other non-corrodible materials;(4) magnesium pins not larger than one-quarter (.25) inch in diameter which may be used to hold together each half of plastic or fiberglass traps or may be used to attach the lid or door; or(5) The use of rubber straps attached to metal or plastic hooks with a single loop of untreated cotton twine size No. 120 or less may be used to close the trap provided they are attached in such a manner as to aid the destruct process. The use of any rubber strap or non-corrosive material that defeats or interferes with the purpose of the destruct panel is prohibited.(c) [Operative until July 16, 2006] Notwithstanding subsection (a) above, traps used to take Dungeness crabs, which are constructed of wire mesh, may have up to three meshes (described as "V"s or a "W" and a "V") that protrude into the destruct device opening provided that the points of each of these meshes are separated by at least one side (bar) of an adjoining mesh that has been removed and each of the meshes extend into the opening a distance of not more than 2 1/2 inches, as measured from the perimeter of the opening along either edge of the protruding wire mesh, to serve as an anchor for the destruct attachment material. On Dungeness crab traps constructed of wire mesh, the panel containing the destruct device and the wire mesh acting as an anchor for the destruct material must be constructed of a single wire no greater than .050 inches in diameter. This subsection shall become inoperative on July 16, 2006 and is repealed effective that date.(c) [Operative July 16, 2006] Notwithstanding subsection (a) above, traps used to take Dungeness crabs, which are constructed of wire mesh, may have not more than a single wire mesh (described as a "V") that protrudes into the destruct device opening provided that mesh extends into the opening a distance of not more than 2 1/2 inches, as measured from the perimeter of the opening along either edge of the protruding wire mesh, to serve as an anchor for the destruct attachment material. On Dungeness crab traps constructed of wire mesh, the panel containing the destruct device and the wire mesh acting as an anchor for the destruct material must be constructed of a single wire no greater than .050 inches in diameter. This subsection shall become operative on July 16, 2006.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 180.2
1. New section filed 9-19-85, operative 10-19-85; Register 85, No. 40)
2. Amendment to add subsections (d) and (e) filed 9-23-86, operative 10-23-86; Register 86, No. 39.
3. Amendment filed 3-2-94; operative 4-1-94 (Register 94, No. 9).
4. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) and NOTE filed 11-13-95 as an emergency; operative 11-13-95 (Register 95, No. 46). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 3-12-96 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
5. Reinstatement of subsection (a)(2) and NOTE as they existed prior to emergency amendment that was filed 11-3-95 by operation of Government Code section 11346.1(f). Operative 3-13-96 (Register 96, No. 23).
6. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) and NOTE filed 6-7-96; operative 7-7-96 (Register 96, No. 23).
7. Amendment of section and NOTE filed 3-4-2003; operative 4-3-2003 (Register 2003, No. 10).
8. Amendment of subsection (b)(3) and both versions of subsection (c) filed 9-18-2003; operative 10-18-2003 (Register 2003, No. 38).
9. Amendment of introductory paragraph and subsections (a)-(a)(1), new subsection (a)(2), amendment of subsections (b), (b)(2) and (b)(5) and amendment of NOTE filed 3-14-2006; operative 3-14-2006 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2006, No. 11). Note: Authority cited: Sections 7090, 7708, 8500 and 9003, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 7090, 8500, 9003 and 9008, Fish and Game Code.
1. New section filed 9-19-85, operative 10-19-85; Register 85, No. 40)
2. Amendment to add subsections (d) and (e) filed 9-23-86, operative 10-23-86; Register 86, No. 39.
3. Amendment filed 3-2-94; operative 4-1-94 (Register 94, No. 9).
4. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) and Note filed 11-13-95 as an emergency; operative 11-13-95 (Register 95, No. 46). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 3-12-96 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
5. Reinstatement of subsection (a)(2) and Noteas they existed prior to emergency amendment that was filed 11-3-95 by operation of Government Code section 11346.1(f). Operative 3-13-96 (Register 96, No. 23).
6. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) and Note filed 6-7-96; operative 7-7-96 (Register 96, No. 23).
7. Amendment of section and Note filed 3-4-2003; operative 4-3-2003 (Register 2003, No. 10).
8. Amendment of subsection (b)(3) and both versions of subsection (c) filed 9-18-2003; operative 10-18-2003 (Register 2003, No. 38).
9. Amendment of introductory paragraph and subsections (a)-(a)(1), new subsection (a)(2), amendment of subsections (b), (b)(2) and (b)(5) and amendment of Note filed 3-14-2006; operative 3-14-2006 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2006, No. 11).