Central Coast (Point Arena to Point Conception)

. October 16, 2026 Harvest Specifications and Management Measures for Pacific Sardine, 2026–2027 Final Rule NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule in the Federal Register ( 91 FR 62677 , October 2, 2026) implementing annual harvest specifications and management measures for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine for the July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, fishing year. This rule prohibits most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine in federal waters off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Pacific sardine harvest is allowed only for use as live bait, in minor directed fisheries, as incidental catch in other fisheries, or as authorized under exempted fishing permits. This rule is intended to conserve, manage, and rebuild the Pacific sardine stock off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. 2026–2027 Harvest Specifications Overfishing Limit (OFL) 4,645 mt Annual Catch Limit (ACL) 2,200 mt Annual Catch Target (ACT) 2,100 mt Harvest Guideline (HG) 0 mt The following are additional management measures and in-season accountability measures for the 2026–2027 Pacific sardine fishing year: An incidental per-landing limit of 20 percent (by weight) of Pacific sardine applies to other CPS primary directed fisheries (e.g., Pacific mackerel); If the ACT of 2,100 mt is attained, then a per-trip limit of 1 mt of Pacific sardine applies to all CPS fisheries (#1 will no longer apply); and An incidental per-landing allowance of 2 mt of Pacific sardine applies to non-CPS fisheries until the ACL is reached. In addition to the management measures and in-season accountability measures listed above, Pacific sardine catch in the minor directed fishery for finfish remains limited to 1 mt per trip per day, and 1 trip per day by any vessel. More Information Coastal Pelagic Species Management on the U.S. West Coast West Coast Coastal Pelagic Species: Commercial Fishing Questions? Contact Katie Davis (NOAA Fisheries) at katie.davis@noaa.gov or Katrina Bernaus (Pacific Fishery Management Council) at katrina.bernaus@pcouncil.org. Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has lifted the shellfish safety notification today related to sport-harvested bivalve shellfish from Monterey County.

. October 9, 2026 Final Gear Marking and Entanglement Risk Reduction Measures in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Single-line allowance effective October 13, 2026. Gear marking provisions and surface line length limitation e ffective January 11, 2027. Illustration of pot gear deployed using the single-line allowance (upper) effective October 13, 2026 and illustration of bottom longline gear deployed continuing to mark both ends at the surface (lower). Single-line allowance applies to both gear types and is a voluntary measure, effective October 13, 2026. Credit: Tom Crestodina/Oregon Sea Grant NOAA Fisheries implements (as filed, October 9, 2026) entanglement risk reduction measures and gear marking requirements that apply to vessels using pot or bottom longline gear in the commercial, non-Tribal, Pacific Coast groundfish fishery (including all commercial groundfish sectors). These measures were recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council at its June, 2024 meeting and published in a proposed rule on February 6, 2026 (91 FR 5408). Effective October 13, 2026 , groundfish pot and bottom longline gear is no longer required to be marked on the surface at both terminal ends . Operators may choose to deploy, at their discretion, vertical line and surface gear at one terminal end of a set. Effective January 11, 2027, Gear-specific color schemes required for the top 120 linear feet (20 fathoms) of lines ; orange/blue for pot and brown/blue for bottom longline. Lines for these gears in the water on or after 0000 hours January 11, 2027, must be in compliance with these new rules. Temporary marking of lines (see Compliance Guide for specifics and examples) is allowed through January 11, 2030. Effective January 11, 2027, Gear-specific buoy marking (tags or marks directly on buoys) required for all buoys (see Compliance Guide for specifics). Buoys for these gears that are in the water on or after 0000 hours January 11, 2027, must be in compliance with these new rules. Effective January 11, 2027, Length of each surface line (the line that connects any and all buoys in the surface gear) cannot exceed 60 linear feet (10 fm) . Surface lines marking commercial groundfish pot or bottom longline gear in the water after 0000 hours January 11, 2027, may not exceed 60 feet in length. All materials, including a Compliance Guide, will be available at NMFS West Coast Region website on our Gear Marking and Entanglement Risk Reduction page by close of business on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Additionally, some supporting materials are available on Regulations.gov . Search for “NOAA-NMFS-2024-0045”. Gear marking requirements are implemented consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act collection # 0648-0352. Questions? For more information contact Gretchen Hanshew, gretchen.hanshew@noaa.gov , 206-526-6147. Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

. September 22, 2026 Proposed Rule for 2027 - 28 Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures Comment period closes on October 22, 2026. A school of widow rockfish in Soquel Canyon, Monterey Bay. Credit: Diana Watters, NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule for the 2027 - 28 Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures and Amendment 38 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which published today in the Federal Register ( 91 FR 60238 ). The public comment period on the proposed rule is open through October 22, 2026. What is included in this proposed rule? This rule proposes: 2027-28 harvest specifications for groundfish caught in the U.S. exclusive economic zone seaward of Washington, Oregon, and California; and Management measures intended to keep the total annual catch of each groundfish stock or stock complex within the annual catch limits. These proposed measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure management measures are based on the best scientific information available. This rule also includes proposed regulations to implement Amendment 38 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP. A Notice of Availability ( 91 FR 45764 ) containing the proposed changes to the FMP published in the Federal Register on July 19, 2026; the comment period for Amendment 38 ended on September 19, 2026. If approved, Amendment 38 would remove yelloweye rockfish and California quillback rockfish from their respective rebuilding plans. Please visit our website for more information. Questions? Contact Lynn Massey, Fishery Management Specialist, email: lynn.massey@noaa.gov or phone: (562) 900-2060. Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) advises the public not to consume northern anchovies harvested from waters between: Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37⁰ 11.00’ N. lat.) and Point Lobos, Monterey County (36⁰ 31.46’ N. Lat.)

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams, scallops, or oysters from Monterey County.

CDFW has enacted a restriction on the commercial and recreational take of northern anchovy for human consumption in the Monterey Bay area, from Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37° 11.000’ N. lat.) south to Point Lobos, Monterey County (36° 31.461’ N. lat.). State health agencies recommended the restriction after determining anchovies contain elevated levels of domoic acid. Commercial take of northern anchovy for bait use is allowed, though any anchovy sold as dead bait must be clearly labeled as not for human consumption or use in pet food. Recreational take is restricted to bait use only.

State health agencies have recommended restricting the take of northern anchovy to bait use only for both the commercial and recreational fisheries in Monterey Bay after determining anchovies contain elevated levels of domoic acid.

. September 3, 2026 Correcting Amendment for 2026 Salmon Management Measures Affecting the recreational salmon fishery in the Monterey and San Francisco management areas NOAA Fisheries published a final rule to implement a correction to previously published management measures for the recreational ocean salmon fishery in the area from Point Arena to the United States/Mexico border. This correcting amendment corrects an error in the May 19, 2026, rule by adding the language “all salmon except coho salmon, two salmon per day” to specify the bag limit for the recreational ocean salmon fisheries in the area from Pigeon Point, California to the United States/Mexico border (Monterey management area). In addition, it clarifies the applicability of bag limits and early 2027 management measures in the area from Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco). The correcting amendment is effective September 3, 2026, and is available on the Federal Register website. Please refer to the Final Rule for the West Coast Salmon Fisheries 2026-2027 Specifications and Management Measures for additional regulations and supporting materials. Questions? Contact Shannon Penna, Fishery Biologist, at (562) 980-4239 or shannon.penna@noaa.gov. Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

On August 19, 2026, federal fishery managers took inseason action to close the summer commercial ocean salmon fishing season off California. The 83,000 Chinook salmon Summer Harvest Limit has been attained, and the summer commercial season has been closed. Federal fishery managers also took action to modify the recreational spring/summer ocean salmon fishing season, adjusting the closure date to August 24, 2026 in the San Francisco Management Area. The last day of the recreational spring/summer ocean salmon season will be August 23, 2026 in this area.

On August 19, 2026, federal fishery managers took inseason action to close the summer commercial ocean salmon fishing season off California. The 83,000 Chinook salmon Summer Harvest Limit has been attained, and the summer commercial season has been closed. Federal fishery managers also took action to modify the recreational spring/summer ocean salmon fishing season, adjusting the closure date to August 24, 2026 in the San Francisco Management Area. The last day of the recreational spring/summer ocean salmon season will be August 23, 2026 in this area.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is lifting its health advisory for commercially harvested Pacific sardines and Northern anchovies from waters between: Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37⁰ 11.00' N. lat.) and Point Lobos, Monterey County (36⁰ 31.46' N. Lat.).

The June 26, 2026 Monterey Bay commercial fishing restrictions for northern anchovy and Pacific sardine taken for human consumption have been lifted. This action comes after state health agencies determined that northern anchovy and Pacific sardine no longer pose a human health risk if consumed. The recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County has been closed due to a human health risk. High levels of domoic acid have been found in razor clams.

The Klamath Management Zone (ocean waters between the California/Oregon border and 40º10′ N. latitude) is now closed for recreational ocean salmon fishing. The Fort Bragg Management Area (ocean waters between 40º10′ N. latitude and Point Arena) will open August 1 for recreational ocean salmon fishing, and continue through August 9. The remainder of the August dates previously scheduled for the Fort Bragg Management Area are now closed. The San Francisco and Monterey management areas will open for recreational salmon fishing from August 1 through August 31 or until the harvest guidelines for Chinook salmon are met, whichever is earlier. There have been no changes to the recreational fall ocean salmon season that begins in September.

In waters south of Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37⁰ 11.000’ N. lat.) to a line due west from Point Lobos, Monterey County (36⁰ 31.461’ N. lat.), the commercial take of northern anchovy and Pacific sardine for human consumption has been restricted. Commercial take of northern anchovy and Pacific sardine for bait use is allowed, though any anchovy or sardine sold as dead bait must be clearly labeled as not for human consumption or use in pet food. The fishery restrictions only apply to northern anchovy and Pacific sardine, which have been found to have high levels of domoic acid in samples. This restriction does not apply to other finfish.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) advises the public not to consume commercially harvested Pacific sardines and Northern anchovies from waters between: Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37⁰ 11.00' N. lat.) to Point Lobos, Monterey County (36⁰ 31.46' N. Lat.).

In Fishing Zone 3 (Sonoma/Mendocino county line, 38°46.125' N. Latitude to Pigeon Point, 37°11' N. Latitude), a recreational trap prohibition will go into effect at 6 p.m. on May 22, 2026. CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place in early June 2026.

A 30-fathom depth restriction will be implemented in the commercial Dungeness crab fishery effective 6 p.m. on April 30, 2026 in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 (California/Oregon border to the Sonoma/Mendocino county line). In Fishing Zone 3 (Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Pigeon Point), the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will close at 6 p.m. on April 30, 2026, at which time the commercial take and possession of Dungeness crab from those waters is prohibited unless using alternative gear, the use of which is authorized to begin at 7 a.m. on May 7, 2026. Permitted commercial Dungeness crab vessels are conditionally authorized to retrieve lost, damaged, abandoned, or otherwise derelict commercial Dungeness crab traps. Read the press release for details and conditions. There are no changes to the current recreational crab fishing regulations or seasons.

The commercial Dungeness crab fishery will close on March 27, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Fishing Zones 4 and 5 (Pigeon Point, 37°11' N Latitude to Point Conception, 34°27' N Latitude) at which time the commercial take and possession of Dungeness crab from those waters is prohibited unless using alternative gear, the use of which is authorized beginning April 3, 2026. This is the first time CDFW has authorized the use of alternative gear, or pop-up fishing gear, in the commercial Dungeness crab fishery. The use of approved alternative gear in Fishing Zones 4 and 5 will be allowed beginning April 3, 2026, at 7 a.m. The commercial fishery will remain open in Fishing Zones 1, 2, and 3 (California/Oregon border to Pigeon Point) under existing crab trap reductions. A recreational crab trap restriction will go into effect on March 27, 2026, at 6 p.m., in Fishing Zones 4 and 5. Recreational crabbers may not use crab traps in those fishing zones for the rest of the season, but take of Dungeness crab by other methods (including hoop nets and crab snares) will be allowed. The next risk assessment will take place in early April 2026.

2025 Preseason Coastal Dungeness crab Test Fishery Results for WA, OR, and CA Test Area Name % Meat Recovery Required ** Number of pots Date* Meat Recovery % Date* Meat Recovery % Date* Meat Recovery % Date* Meat Recovery % Date* Meat Recovery % Northern 23% n/a NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Westport 23% 54 10/16/25 20.9% 11/11/25 25.0% NT NT NT NT NT NT Long Beach 23% 54 NT NT 11/3/25 21.9% 12/1/25 22.4% 12/13/25 28.1%^ NT NT Astoria (50-A) 23% 36 NT NT 11/9/25 26.4% NT NT NT NT NT NT Garibaldi (50-B) 23% 18 NT NT 11/9/25 27.1% NT NT NT NT NT NT Pacific City (50-C) 23% 18 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Newport North (50-D) 24% 18 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Newport South (50-E and 50-F) 24% 36 NT NT 11/9/25 27.7% NT NT NT NT NT NT Coos Bay North (50-G and 50-H) 24% 36 NT NT 11/9/25 27.4% NT NT NT NT NT NT Coos Bay South (50-I and 50-J) 24% 36 NT NT 11/9/25 27.4% NT NT NT NT NT NT Port Orford (50-K) 24% 18 NT NT 11/9/25 28.7% NT NT NT NT NT NT Brookings (50-L) 24% 18 NT NT 11/9/25 27.5% NT NT NT NT NT NT Crescent City 24% 36 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Trinidad 24% 36 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Eureka 24% 36 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Bodega Bay n/a NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT San Francisco n/a NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT † Oregon areas 50-C and 50-D unintentionally combined onboard vessel ^ Crabs collected from less than total pots set in Seaview (17/18) test station. Crab retained in vessel hold overnight before offload. ` *Date pots were pulled. **Meat recovery criteria per Tri-State protocol. Percentage meat recovery may not be rounded to meet minimum threshold listed. Test Area Information Round 4Round 3 District 10 (not bound by Tri-State) Washington Optional Early Round Round 1 Round 2 Oregon California 11/9/25 27.5%†