Pacific Sardine Fishing Curbed to Just 2,200 Tons for Recovery
Published Date: 10/2/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting October 2, 2026, commercial fishing for Pacific sardines off Washington, Oregon, and California is mostly off-limits 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 keep the total catch under 2,200 metric tons. These rules protect the fish and support a healthier ocean for everyone.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Primary commercial sardine fishery closed
If you fish commercially for Pacific sardine off Washington, Oregon, or California, the primary directed commercial sardine fishery is closed for the July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 fishing year. The 2025 stock assessment estimated an age 1+ biomass of 30,158 metric tons, which is below the CPS Fishery Management Plan cutoff of 150,000 mt, so most directed commercial harvest is prohibited starting October 2, 2026.
Council recommended 520 mt EFP apportionment
The Council recommended apportioning 520 metric tons of the 2,200 mt ACL for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) proposal to support stock assessments; NMFS will decide after the specifications are effective whether to issue that EFP. Any EFP set-aside would be counted against the ACT and ACL.
Strict incidental catch and trip limits
You may only take Pacific sardine incidentally under caps: when caught with other Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) stocks, incidental sardine is limited to 20 percent by weight per landing; when caught with non-CPS stocks, incidental sardine is limited to up to 2 metric tons per trip. If the annual catch target (ACT) of 2,100 mt is reached, a 1 mt per-trip limit applies to all CPS fisheries.
Earlier catches count toward annual limits
Any Pacific sardine harvested between July 1, 2026, and the rule's effective date (October 2, 2026) will count toward the 2026-2027 annual catch target (ACT of 2,100 mt) and annual catch limit (ACL of 2,200 mt). That earlier harvest reduces the remaining allowable catch for the rest of the fishing year.
Minor directed fishery limited to 1 mt per trip
If you participate in the minor directed sardine fishery, your catch is limited to 1 metric ton per trip per day, and vessels are limited to 1 trip per day. This limit remains in place under 50 CFR 660.511(d)(2) during the 2026-2027 fishing year.
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Key Dates
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