West Coast Sardine Fishing Largely Halted for 2026
Published Date: 6/29/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
Starting July 1, 2026, most commercial fishing for Pacific sardines off Washington, Oregon, and California will be paused to help the sardine population bounce back. Only limited fishing for live bait, small catches, or special permits will be allowed. This plan sets clear catch limits to protect the fish and supports a healthier ocean and fishing future.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Directed Sardine Fishery Closed
Starting July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine off Washington, Oregon, and California is prohibited because the estimated biomass is 30,158 metric tons (below the 150,000-mt cutoff). Only harvest as live bait, minor directed fisheries, incidental catch, tribal allocations (if requested), or under exempted fishing permits is allowed.
2026–2027 Catch Limits Set
For the July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 fishing year NMFS proposes an overfishing limit (OFL) of 4,645 metric tons, an acceptable biological catch (ABC) of 3,613 mt, an annual catch limit (ACL) of 2,200 mt, and an annual catch target (ACT) of 2,100 mt based on an estimated age 1+ biomass of 30,158 mt.
Incidental, Trip, and Minor-Fishery Limits
While the directed fishery is closed, incidental and minor allowances apply: a 20% (by weight) incidental per-landing limit for other CPS directed fisheries; if the ACT of 2,100 mt is reached, a 1-mt per-trip limit will apply to all CPS fisheries; non-CPS fisheries get a 2-mt incidental per-landing allowance until the ACL is reached; and the minor directed fishery remains limited to 1 mt per trip per day and 1 trip per day per vessel.
Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) Opportunity
The Council recommended one exempted fishing permit (EFP) that requests up to 520 metric tons of sardine exempted from the prohibition; that EFP will be reviewed and potentially approved by NMFS through a separate process and, if authorized, would be counted against the ACT and ACL.
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Key Dates
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