West Coast Sardine Fishing Banned to Boost Population
Published Date: 9/16/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting July 1, 2025, most commercial fishing for Pacific sardines off Washington, Oregon, and California will be paused to help the sardine population bounce back. Fishermen can still catch sardines for live bait, small special fisheries, or as a small part of other catches, but strict limits apply. These new rules aim to protect sardines while keeping fishing fair and sustainable through June 30, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Pause on Directed Sardine Fishing
If you fish commercially for Pacific sardine off Washington, Oregon, or California, most directed commercial fishing for sardines is prohibited from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Sardines may still be taken only as live bait, in minor directed fisheries, as incidental catch in other fisheries, or under exempted fishing permits.
Limits on Incidental Sardine Catch
When sardines are caught with other Coastal Pelagic Species, incidental sardine harvest is limited to 20 percent by weight of all fish per trip. When sardines are caught with non-coastal pelagic species, incidental sardine harvest is limited to up to 2 metric tons per trip. These limits apply during the July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 fishing year.
Numeric Harvest Limits Set
For July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, the rule sets an overfishing limit (OFL) of 4,645 metric tons, an acceptable biological catch (ABC) of 3,957 metric tons, an annual catch limit (ACL) of 2,200 metric tons, and an annual catch target (ACT) of 2,100 metric tons. These numeric limits govern the total allowable sardine harvest for the year.
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