Mentioned 10× · first seen 05-jul-2026 · last seen 07-jul-2026

Fisheries Management – Pacific Coastal Pelagic Species

Current understanding

NMFS sets annual harvest specifications for Coastal Pelagic Species (including Pacific sardine) off the U.S. West Coast under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. For 2026–2027, NMFS is proposing to continue prohibiting most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine and to set an annual catch limit of 2,200 metric tons, reflecting a stock that remains below the overfished threshold and is in a rebuilding posture. Limited incidental, live bait, and tribal harvest allowances typically remain, with the practical effect of continued constraints on the West Coast sardine fleet and processors.

Evidence log

2026-07-07 — International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Conservation and Management Measures for Tropical Tunas in the Eastern Pacific Ocean for 2026 and Beyond: Cross-reference: NMFS finalized 2026+ tropical tuna (bigeye/yellowfin/skipjack) conservation measures for the Eastern Pacific under IATTC resolutions — this action falls under the Pacific Highly Migratory Species FMP, not Coastal Pelagic Species, but shares the West Coast NMFS regional framework. (novelty: 2)
2026-05-19 — Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 2026 Specifications and Management Measures: Cross-reference: NMFS also issued 2026 ocean salmon fishery specifications for WA/OR/CA under the separate Pacific Coast Salmon FMP — a distinct FMP from Coastal Pelagic Species but sharing the same West Coast NMFS regional management framework and annual specifications cycle. (novelty: 2)
2026-06-02 — Fisheries Off West Coast States; the Highly Migratory Species Fishery; Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area Closure: Cross-reference: NMFS is closing a Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area off southern California to large-mesh drift gillnet fishing June–August 2026 based on an 82% El Niño probability and elevated sea surface temperatures — this action falls under the Highly Migratory Species FMP rather than Coastal Pelagic Species, but shares the same West Coast NMFS regional framework and climate-triggered management approach. (novelty: 2)
2026-06-17 — Restoring American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific: A presidential executive action directs restoration and expansion of American commercial fishing activities in the Pacific, signaling policy pressure toward loosening constraints on West Coast fleets even as NMFS continues rebuilding-posture catch limits for Pacific sardine and other CPS stocks. (novelty: 2)
2026-06-23 — Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area Revisions: Cross-reference: a separate West Coast fishery action — the Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area is being replaced by a new Groundfish Exclusion Area off central California under a Magnuson-Stevens Act final rule — affects the Pacific Groundfish FMP rather than Coastal Pelagic Species, but shares the same regional NMFS management framework. (novelty: 2)
2026-06-23 — Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Amendment 22 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan: Proposed Amendment 22 to the Coastal Pelagic Species FMP would update essential fish habitat provisions based on a recent information review, with no new management measures or regulations required. (novelty: 2)