NOAA Updates Commercial and Recreational Limits for Canary Rockfish Off the West Coast
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The National Marine Fisheries Service is updating fishing limits for canary rockfish off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. The change takes effect immediately and adjusts both commercial and recreational rules for the current year.
Why it matters: The rule is a routine inseason adjustment to keep commercial and recreational catch within the annual quotas set for 2025–2026. Fisheries managers increased the canary rockfish limits because current catch rates are running low and discards are high. The Oregon recreational changes simply match state rules so anglers do not accidentally break federal limits while fishing in federal waters. The action does not change long-term conservation goals; it just tweaks day-to-day access to stay within existing caps.
Who it affects
- Commercial non-trawl groundfish fishermen operating off Washington, Oregon, and California
This action was published by the National Marine Fisheries Service in the Federal Register; you should review the full rule and its supporting technical reports before making operational or compliance decisions.
Agency: Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document