Question:
If were fishing in Mexican waters and catch a cowcod, can we legally bring it back into a California port as long as we have all of the proper licenses and the Declaration for Entry form properly filled out? I'd just like to know for sure as we fish Mexican waters frequently targeting rockfish, and I'd like to avoid a citation. (Jeff M., San Diego)

Answer:
No. Cowcod may not be imported or even possessed in California regardless of where caught (Fish and Game Code, Section 2353(a)(2)). Broomtail groupers and canary, yelloweye and bronzespotted rockfishes are also illegal to be possessed or imported into California under this regulation and under California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 28.55(b)(1), even if they were taken legally in Mexico.

Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at [email protected].