Southern California (Point Conception to Mexico)

. 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

. 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 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.