United States of America · Spearfishing zone
North Farallon Islands Special Closure (California)
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at North Farallon Islands Special Closure (California).
Year-round no-entry closure at the four islets of the North Farallon Islands, 48 km west of the Golden Gate. 14 CCR 632(b)(52) closes the water from the mean high tide line out to 1,000 feet seaward of mean lower low tide around North Farallon Island itself and 300 feet around the three southern islets including the Island of St. James; subsection (C) then forbids any person from entering that band without department permission. The islets are Steller sea lion haul-outs and hold roughly 72,000 nesting seabirds, and CDFW confirms that "No person ... shall enter the area." The same waters also lie inside the North Farallon Islands SMR, where all take is separately prohibited.
On the coast
Location
Approximate reference point for this zone. See the full picture on the interactive map.
37.7674°N, 123.1012°W
View on the mapSource
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for United States of America
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.
Purchase from the relevant state fish and wildlife agency online portal, license vendors, or in person. Requirements differ by state and by resident/non-resident status.
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · fisheries.noaa.gov



