View in Browser

At the behest of the current Administration, NOAA has launched an out-of-cycle federal review of California’s Coastal Management Program (CCMP), a key framework ensuring fishing communities have a voice in offshore development decisions. This process helps protect access to fishing grounds and ensures that projects like offshore energy, pipelines, and other coastal developments are carefully evaluated for their impacts on fisheries and coastal economies.

State officials are urging fishermen, Tribal representatives, and coastal communities to participate—because the outcome could shape how future ocean uses are approved in California.

This program has long helped balance ocean uses while protecting working waterfronts and sustaining a $26+ billion seafood economy that supports thousands of jobs statewide. Weakening it could increase uncertainty for commercial fishing and reduce our ability to influence what happens in our fishing grounds.

📅 Virtual Public Meetings August 11 and 12, 2026 | 2–5 p.m. PT each day

Register by 11:59 p.m. PT on August 10 at this link. 

✍️ Written comments due by midnight, August 22

Now is the time for the fishing fleet to show up and make your voice heard.

👉 Learn more and submit comments HERE

NOAA has released proposed updates to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan that recognize the successful rebuilding of two important West Coast stocks: yelloweye rockfish and California quillback rockfish. If approved, the changes would officially remove both species from their rebuilding plans, reflecting improved stock health based on the latest scientific assessments. Public comments on the proposed amendment are being accepted through September 19, 2026 before NOAA makes a final decision.

NOAA Fisheries has announced a series of region-specific actions aimed at reducing regulatory burdens and increasing domestic seafood production in response to a recent Executive Order on restoring American seafood competitiveness. On the West Coast, NOAA will evaluate permitting processes, stock boundaries, accountability measures, and other fishery regulations to identify opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining sustainable fisheries management. The agency says these efforts are intended to strengthen the economic viability of U.S. fisheries and improve access for commercial fishermen, with additional regulatory reviews expected in the coming months. 

California's commercial ocean salmon season continues through August, providing additional fishing opportunities as the fleet works toward the summer harvest guideline of 83,000 Chinook south of Point Arena. South of Pigeon Point—including Monterey Bay—the season remains open under the established August opening schedule, with a 160-Chinook landing limit per vessel per opening. Fishermen are encouraged to monitor CDFW's online harvest tracker, which is updated regularly throughout the season and may trigger in-season adjustments if harvest approaches the quota.

August dates open to commercial salmon fishing:

• August 1-7, 13-16, 25-27

Want to better understand the science, policy, and decision-making that shape West Coast fisheries? The Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) is a free, nationally recognized workshop designed by fishermen, for fishermen and fishing industry professionals. Over five days, participants gain practical knowledge of fisheries science and management while building lasting relationships with fellow industry members, scientists, and resource managers.

The next West Coast Fisheries Science and Management Workshop will take place December 7–11, 2026, in La Jolla, CA.

Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust is offering scholarships to help members of the Monterey Bay fishing community attend. If you work in the local fishing industry and are interested in this incredible professional development opportunity, reach out to Emily at ehess@mbfishtrust.org to learn more and apply for a scholarship.

Fish and Game Commission Meeting

August 12-13

Santa Cruz Harbor Port Commission Meeting

August 25

Moss Landing Harbor Meeting

August 26

Pacific Fisheries Management Council Meeting

September 17-21

Ocean Protection Council Meeting

September 22

info@mbfishtrust.org | montereybayfisheriestrust.org