Government Creates Underwater Coral Safe Space From Fishing Nets
Published Date: 12/12/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting January 12, 2026, commercial fishers using bottom-contact gear must avoid Sur Ridge in Monterey Bay to protect deep-sea corals. This new no-fishing zone helps scientists study and restore coral habitats while keeping the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery sustainable. Fishers off California’s coast should plan ahead to follow these new rules and support ocean health.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
New Sur Ridge no-fishing zone
Starting January 12, 2026, Sur Ridge in Monterey Bay is closed to commercial groundfish bottom-contact gear to protect deep-sea corals. The Groundfish Exclusion Area (GEA) closes 36.64 square nautical miles at depths of about 2,690 to 5,118 feet and is defined by specific latitude/longitude coordinates in Sec. 660.70(t)(9).
Who is and isn't affected
The Sur Ridge GEA affects commercial vessels using non-trawl bottom-contact gears in the limited entry fixed gear (LEFG), directed open access (OA), and shore-based IFQ sectors. Bottom trawl vessels are already prohibited from the area by an existing EFH conservation area, and vessels using non-bottom-contact gear (for example midwater trawl, troll, and vertical hook-and-line not anchored to the bottom) are still permitted to operate in the area.
Scale: how many vessels and revenues
From 2019–2023 there were 429 distinct vessels using non-trawl bottom-contact gears between latitudes 40°30' N and 36° N, with an annual average of 175 vessels. Directed open access vessels (the majority potentially affected) had average ex-vessel revenues of $71,959 for all landings.
Small-business economic finding
NMFS certified during the rulemaking that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and determined a regulatory flexibility analysis was not required. NMFS states the factual basis for that certification is in the proposed rule and the Analysis referenced in the rule.
New enforcement and transit rules
The rule adds GEAs to the general groundfish prohibitions (Sec. 660.12(a)(23)) and clarifies at Sec. 660.230/660.330/660.360 that it is unlawful to fish for, possess, or land groundfish in GEAs unless allowed at Sec. 660.70. Prohibited gear for targeting groundfish must be stowed while transiting a GEA, and if fishing for non-groundfish in a GEA where groundfish fishing is prohibited, no groundfish may be on board.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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