North Coast (OR border to Point Arena)

. 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

. 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

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Meghan Hertel has closed the recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County. This closure comes following a recommendation from state health agencies that determined consumption of razor clams in the area poses a significant threat to human health for domoic acid exposure.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested razor clams from Del Norte County.

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.

Adult Chinook salmon fishing on the Lower Klamath River will close on Sunday, September 13 at 11:59 p.m. as the area quota has been met.

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

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Meghan Hertel has opened the recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County following a recommendation from state health agencies that domoic acid no longer poses a significant threat to human health if consumed.

The recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County has been reopened. Recent testing conducted by state health agencies shows domoic acid has decreased to safe levels in razor clams in this area.

The spit fishery at the mouth of the Klamath River will be closed to angling at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2. Based on CDFW projections of the recreational fall-run Chinook Salmon harvest, anglers will have met the “spit area” adult fall-run Chinook Salmon quota of 15 percent of the total Klamath River Basin recreational allocation of fish caught below the Highway 101 bridge.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested razor clams from Del Norte County.

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.

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

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

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.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has lifted the shellfish safety notification to not consume the internal organs of sport-harvested Dungeness Crab caught in state waters located at: Reading Rock State Marine Reserve (41° 17.6’ N. Latitude) to Cape Mendocino (40⁰ 10' N. Latitude)

The waters off Humboldt County from the southern boundary of the Reading Rock state marine protected areas (41° 17.6' N. latitude) to Cape Mendocino (40° 10.0’ N. latitude) will open for commercial Dungeness crab fishing on Jan. 30, preceded by a 64-hour gear setting period beginning at 8:01 a.m. on January 27 under a 15 percent gear reduction.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has lifted the shellfish safety notification to not consume the internal organs of any sport-harvested Dungeness Crab caught in state waters located at: Ten Mile State Marine Reserve (39⁰ 33.30' N. Latitude) to Sonoma/Mendocino County Line (38° 46.125' N. Latitude)

The commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open at 12:01 a.m., January 15, 2026 under a 15 percent gear reduction in the following areas: California/Oregon border (42° 0.0’ N. latitude) to the southern boundary of the Reading Rock state marine protected areas (41° 17.6' N. latitude) Cape Mendocino (40° 10.0’ N. latitude) to the Sonoma/Mendocino county line (38° 46.125’ N. latitude). From the southern boundary of the Reading Rock state marine protected areas (41° 17.6' N. latitude) to Cape Mendocino (40° 10.0’ N. latitude) the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will remain closed due to unhealthy levels of domoic acid in the crab. Commercial Dungeness crab fishing in this area will reopen when state health officials determine that domoic acid no longer poses a significant risk to public health. <h2

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on October 24, 2025, and is implementing a season delay for Fishing Zones 1-6 for the commercial fishery and a crab trap prohibition for the recreational fishery in Fishing Zones 1, 3, and 4. A Fleet Advisory would also be implemented for all Fishing Zones for the recreational fishery. Note that high levels of domoic acid will delay the opening of the recreational fishery from the California/Oregon border south to the Sonoma/Mendocino County line. Recreational take and/or possession of Dungeness crab is prohibited in these closed waters. In the area between the Sonoma/Mendocino County line and Point Reyes, State health agencies are advising the public not to consume crab viscera (guts) to avoid potential domoic acid exposure. Director's Declaration (PDF) October 24, 2025 CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) October 24, 2025 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) October 22, 2025 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data UPDATED (PDF) October 22, 2025 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) October 21, 2025 2024-25 Season

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%†