Chapter 3 Fishing Grounds
3.1 Catch Location 2019
Commercial catch data within the marine waters off California are reported by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) from a series of 10 latitude by 10 longitude area blocks, each covering an area of approximately 110 square miles, called a Fish Block (FB). Fishermen are required to report the FB where their fish was caught at the time the catch is landed. This is reported on the fishticket.
Location by Pounds
Location by Ex-Vessel Value
3.2 Windfarm Proposal
Floating wind turbines off California have been long discussed to meet the states goals to go green. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced it would like to offer leases in three locations off California: near Diablo Canyon, Morro Bay/Cambria and Humboldt in Northern California. These sites would be about 30 miles offshore in federal waters.
So far, at least 11 international companies have lined up ready to bid on a potential lease if offered by the federal government.
Vandenberg Air Force Base Pilot Project
Vandenberg Pilot Project is a proposed 3-turbine floating offshore wind farm off the Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Working with multiple universities, this pilot project hopes to establish a ‘marine energy research area’ off the coast, and then develop within those spatial limits. This wind energy project is also proposing to use the transmission cables currently used by an active oil rig, thus reducing the additional cost and environmental impact of laying new subsurface cables and onshore connections. (Surfrider)
Two companies, French company Ideol and UK-based company Cierco Projects Corporation, have applied for a permit to do wind-speed testing in state waters — less than 3 miles out — off the coast of Vandenberg Air Force Base to generate energy for base operations.
Red dots are Cierco Projects Corporation Yellow Dots are Ideol USA Inc
Both projects have the turbines located within fishing block 644, and will have cables running through fishing block 643. The table below shows the Ex-vessel Value landed in Santa Barbara Port for fish caught in block 644 & 643 for 2019 and 2020.
| Year | block10_id | Total EVV |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 643 | $122,662 |
| 2019 | 644 | $120,556 |
| 2020 | 643 | $199,892 |
| 2020 | 644 | $152,118 |