California Protects Ocean Biodiversity and Reduces Animal Entanglements | Oceana

Victory | October 15, 2025

California Protects Ocean Biodiversity and Reduces Animal Entanglements

A new law in the U.S. state of California protects ocean biodiversity by phasing out the use of set gillnets — mile-long fishing nets anchored to the seafloor intended to catch halibut and white sea bass. Removing this fishing gear from the water will protect more than 100 different ocean animals, including sea lions and sharks, from being unintentionally entangled in these nearly invisible nets. Oceana championed this law, which allows existing permit holders to continue fishing through their retirement and gradually phases out the set gillnet fishery. Oceana has also advocated for hook and line fishing methods as an alternative to set gillnets, which have significantly less unintended catch and typically yield higher-quality catches that fetch higher prices.