This spatial data depicts the boundaries of Groundfish Exclusion Areas (GEAs) located in the Southern California Bight.This feature class that contains all 8 of the GEAs combined. The GDB and feature class naming convention reflects the date (YYYYMMDD) that the GEAs were published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).These new Conservation Areas were were established in NOAA's Amendment 50 CFR Parts 300 and 660 [Docket No. 231117–0273] RIN 0648–BM28 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;"The Groundfish Exclusion Areas (GEAs) are eight areas south of Point Conception intended to protect sensitive areas, including areas with coral and sea pens."1. Hidden Reef2. West of Santa Barbara Island3. Potato Bank4. 107/118 Bank5. Cherry Bank6. Seamount 1097. 43- Fathom Spot8. Northeast Bankhttps://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corals, sponges and sea pens from contact with groundfish fishing gear, should the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) be repealed.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/