• NOAA seeking comment on proposed gear marking and entanglement risk reduction measures in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery

• Dungeness Crab Funding Opportunity

• Upcoming PCFM meeting

• Other Upcoming Management Meeting dates

Our friends at Positively Groundfish have posted this year's survey results. After last year’s surge of optimism, survey responses from fishermen, processors, and direct-to-consumer businesses point toward a more measured outlook for 2026. Expectations have shifted from growth to stability, shaped by rising costs, uneven consumer demand, infrastructure constraints, and persistent regulatory complexity. At the same time, confidence in the long-term importance of West Coast Groundfish remains unwavering.

What’s new this year is the launch of their West Coast Groundfish Industry Economic Outlook Index - a single, composite number that distills hundreds of survey responses into a clear signal of overall industry sentiment. The index shows an industry settling just below neutral: not in retreat, but no longer expecting a near-term rebound.

Read the Report

View Summary and Provide Comment

NOAA Seeking Comment

NOAA is seeking comments on fixed gear proposed regulatory amendment to implement entanglement risk reduction measures and gear marking requirements, and also what the costs might be to modify the gear.

This could be a valuable opportunity for those interested to provide comments on issues that would directly affect fishing activity and income potential.

Measures include a single-line allowance; comment period closes March 9, 2026.

All materials are available on our NMFS West Coast Region webpage for "Gear Marking and Entanglement Risk Reduction.” Additionally, all materials are available on Regulations.gov after publication of the proposed rule. Search for “NOAA-NMFS-2024-0045”.

Dungeness Crab Funding Opportunity

Expanding your gear set to whale-safe Dungeness fishing requires a big investment with many unknowns. California FarmLink, a nonprofit lender, wants to help lower the barrier for crabbers.

FarmLink’s loans now offer discounted 3.5% rates and flexible terms designed specifically for crabbers looking to update to CDFW-approved whale safe gear. They are building partnerships to streamline the loan application process and access additional funding sources. If you plan to fish the spring season extensions, or have any other financing needs, FarmLink wants to ensure you have the resources to make it happen. Learn more at californiafarmlink.org

Questions? Reach out to Matt Hess, Loan Officer

Email: matt@cafarmlink.org

Phone: (831) 231-6157

The Euphotic Foundation is here to help small-scale commercial fishermen and aquaculture operators along the California coast keep their businesses running strong. They offer grants to cover everyday expenses, gear upgrades, and emergency needs — so you can focus on fishing sustainably and safely.

They offer Expenditure Responsibility Grants as well as Hardship Grants.

How to Apply:

Apply online (preferred) or via paper forms through Euphotic’s grant portal. ERGs are seasonal, HGs are available year-round under certain conditions.

Learn more & apply: Euphotic Foundation Grants

Upcoming PFMC Meeting

March 4-9th, Sacramento (or online)

The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s March 2026 session will focus on setting management measures that directly affect West Coast commercial fisheries, including developing and adopting preseason salmon management alternatives for 2026–2027 that influence fishing seasons and quotas, particularly for salmon, as well as groundfish stock assessments and initial harvest specifications that shape allowable catch limits for species targeted by Monterey Bay commercial boats. The agenda also includes discussion of in-season adjustments to 2026 fisheries, Pacific whiting implementation under the U.S./Canada agreement, and incidental limits in the troll salmon and fixed gear sablefish fisheries, along with opportunities for stakeholder input and public comment throughout the week.

Read the Agenda