GEA_Seamount_109_20231201

This spatial data depicts the boundary of the Seamont 109 Groundfish Exclusion Area (GEA) located in the Southern California Bight.The feature class naming convention reflects the date (YYYYMMDD) that the GEA was published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-660/subpart-C/section-660.70#p-660.70(t)Federal Register/Vol. 88, No. 230/Friday, December 1, 202350 CFR Parts 300 and 660 [Docket No. 231117–0273] RIN 0648–BM28 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 32; Modifications to Non-Trawl Sector Area Management Measureshttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-12-01/pdf/2023-25905.pdfThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) proposed these closed areas with a goal of protecting corals, sponges and sea pens from contact with groundfish fishing gear, should the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) be repealed. https://www.pcouncil.org/documents/2022/03/f-6-a-cdfw-report-1-propose-protection-areas-within-the-cowcod-conservation-area.pdf/