West Coast: Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries

West Coast

From killer whales slicing through waves to salmon jumping rapids on their journey home, marine life fills and defines the waters of the West Coast. Fishing the Pacific lifts spirits, feeds families and supports the economies of California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We harvest close to a billion pounds of seafood, worth nearly $1 billion, each year.

The ocean also shapes our communities and culture, from the colorful heritage of Cannery Row to tribes celebrating the season’s first salmon to return from the sea. Parents teach their kids to fish the West Coast’s 7,000 miles of shore and view wildlife such as elephant seals, sea turtles, and sea lions. Our prolific bays and estuaries nurture Dungeness crabs, oysters, and other delectable shellfish prized around the world.

NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and Southwest Fisheries Science Center work together to apply the latest science to sustainably manage the rich marine resources of the region for generations to come.

Featured News

Artist's concept of the restored Similk Estuary. Credit: Artist Studio, llc.

Feature Story

Restoring Pocket Estuaries Key to Puget Sound Chinook Recovery in Washington

West Coast

a cluster of mussels attached to a rope, surrounded by marine plants

Mussel longline aquaculture, a type of aquaculture practiced in the coastal ocean of California. ICredit: Darryl Torckler/Photonewzealand

Media Release

NOAA Advances Efforts to Identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

Southeast

West Coast

Researches with the Fisheries Collaborative Program at the University of California at Santa Cruz deploy equipment to measure predation rates on juvenile salmon in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Photo: Brendan Lehman

Feature Story

$9.2 Million in Inflation Reduction Act Funds Awarded to Academic Partners for Pacific Salmon Recovery Science

West Coast

Marylou Staman conducts green sea turtle surveys at Lalo (French Frigate Shoals). Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

Marylou Staman conducts green sea turtle surveys at Lalo in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. More than 90 percent of the Hawaiian green sea turtle population nests at Lalo (French Frigate Shoals). Credit: NOAA Fisheries. Taken under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Permit #TE-72088A-3 and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Co-Manager’s Permit.

Feature Story

2024 Research for Pacific Protected Species

Alaska

Pacific Islands

West Coast

A chalk signboard outside a fish market that says "Thank You for Supporting Local Fishermen"

A signboard thanking patrons at Tuna Harbor Dockside Market in San Diego. Credit: Tuna Harbor Dockside Market.

Feature Story

Direct Marketing: Another Tool to Increase Resiliency of U.S. Seafood

Southeast

West Coast

National

Protected Resources

Incidental Take Authorization: Pile Training Exercises at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme in California (2025)

West Coast

Fisheries

Amendment 34 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan: Groundfish Exclusion Area for Coral Research and Restoration

West Coast

Protected Resources

Prey Increase Program for Southern Resident Killer Whales

West Coast

Protected Resources

MMPA Section 101(a)(5)(E) Authorization for WA/OR/CA Sablefish Pot Fishery

West Coast

Fisheries

Amendment 33 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan: 2025-2026 Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures

West Coast

Pacific Hake/Whiting Treaty: Joint Technical Committee Meeting, December 11-12, 2024

Dec 11, 2024 - Dec 12, 2024

West Coast

Inseason Action #16 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (recreational), Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain

West Coast

Inseason Actions #14-15 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, North of Cape Falcon (recreational), between Queets River and Cape Falcon (Westport and Columbia River subareas) and between the U.S./Canada Border and Cape Alava (Neah Bay subarea)

West Coast

Inseason Action #13 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (recreational), Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain

West Coast

Inseason Action #12 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, North of Cape Falcon (recreational), Westport Subarea

West Coast

Inseason Action #11 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, North of Cape Falcon (recreational), La Push Subarea

West Coast

Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program Funding

National

Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Competition

Alaska

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Pacific Islands

Southeast

West Coast

National

Alaska

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Pacific Islands

Southeast

West Coast

National

Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants

National

Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants

National

Fiscal Year 2024–2026: Broad Agency Announcement

National

Featured Highlights

Aerial view of the Nisqually River Basin at sunset

Tidal wetlands in the Nisqually River Basin, where restored habitat fosters growth of juvenile salmon and steelhead on their way to the ocean.

Collaboration Offers the Best Hope for Lasting Puget Sound Salmon Solution

West Coast

International Collaboration To Monitor And Respond To Tagged Gray Whale

Alaska

West Coast

Humpback whales commonly lunge out of the water in pursuit of prey. Credit: John Calambokidis/Cascadia Research Collective.

“Blob” Research Reveals Environmental Effects That Shut Down Fishing and Hiked Whale Entanglements

West Coast

Lasker_credit NOAA Fihseries Bob Pitman_IMG_9690 (1).jpg

California Ecosystem Surveys Give Insight on Ocean Changes to Come

West Coast

Northwest Science

We use science to improve people’s lives, save species, and protect ecosystems. Our scientists conduct cutting-edge biological, economic, and oceanographic research. We observe and monitor living marine resources and their environments in the Pacific Northwest and California Current ecosystem. We also study the impacts of environmental variability and climate change on marine ecosystems and fishery socioeconomics. Together with decision-makers at NOAA, other federal agencies, states, and others, we apply this scientific knowledge to make our environment healthier and improve people’s lives and livelihoods.

Research Areas

Surveys

Research Topics

Southwest Science

Our research encompasses the waters of the California Current and adjacent inland watersheds, bays and estuaries of California. Extending along the U.S. Coast from Canada to Mexico, the California Current is characterized by some of the most dramatic annual, interannual, and decadal environmental variability in the world. These waters support valuable commercial, tribal, and recreational fisheries and are also home to many protected species of marine mammals, turtles, and seabirds.

Our scientists conduct biological, ecological and oceanographic research, observations, and monitoring of the region’s living marine resources and their environments. We also conduct research on the impacts of environmental variability and climate change on marine ecosystems and on fishery and conservation socio-economics. We work with numerous partners and our NOAA Fisheries counterparts—the Northwest, Pacific Islands and Alaska Fisheries Science Centers and the West Coast Regional Office—to provide sound science for domestic and international management decisions. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to ensure that the region’s living marine resources remain at healthy and sustainable levels, as functioning parts of their ecosystems, and continue to enhance the quality of life for the public.

We also conduct research throughout the Pacific Ocean and in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica.

Research Areas

Research Topics

Stock Assessments

Resources

Fisheries Overview

We collaborate extensively with the Pacific Fishery Management Council, Native American Indian tribes, and the four states within the region in our management of highly migratory species (e.g., tunas, sharks), coastal pelagic species (e.g., sardine and anchovy), groundfish, and salmon, as well as the habitats upon which they rely.

We participate in the implementation of numerous international treaties and other agreements to sustainably conserve fisheries for cross-boundary species including highly migratory fish, particularly tuna; whiting; halibut, and salmon; and protect marine mammals of mutual interest to nations of the Pacific.

We also ensure that federal ocean fisheries along the West Coast are managed to uphold Native American Tribal treaty fishing rights.

Groundfish

Salmon and Steelhead

Highly Migratory Species

Coastal Pelagic Species

Protected Marine Life

We conserve and restore marine resources on the West Coast. Under the Endangered Species Act, we develop protections, designate critical habitat, implement recovery, and authorize scientific research permits for threatened and endangered species. We also manage and conserve marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and coordinate and support the marine mammal stranding networks. Our work covers a vast geography, including the inland and coastal waters of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California.

Habitat protection and restoration are critical components of species recovery and conservation. We work with partners to protect and restore habitats necessary for species recovery, using an ecosystem-based approach that considers benefits, interactions, and trade-offs for multiple species.

Endangered Species Conservation

Marine Mammal Protection

Pacific Salmon Recovery

National Topics

Habitat Overview

We help other federal agencies conserve habitat for protected species and for essential fish habitat to support commercial, tribal, and recreational fisheries. We review federal proposals for land and water development to make sure these activities do not further degrade habitat or harm protected species. We also provide technical assistance and funding to support restoration activities that improve habitat. With our partners, we are working on hundreds of projects to protect and restore vital habitat for West Coast fish and wildlife populations.

Conserving Habitat

Fish Passage

Habitat Consultations and Resources

Habitat Restoration

Species Overview

On the West Coast and in the watersheds of Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho, we manage commercial and recreational fisheries for more than 100 species of salmon, groundfish, coastal pelagics such as anchovy and sardine, and highly migratory species such as billfish, sharks, and tunas. We work to recover and conserve threatened and endangered marine and anadromous species, as well as manage and conserve marine mammals. Our Science Centers conduct cutting-edge biological, economic, and oceanographic research, as well as observations and monitoring of living marine resources and their environments. Below are links to learn about a few of our West Coast species. You can also see a list of all species managed on the West Coast.

West Coast

West Coast

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Highly Migratory Species

Coastal Pelagic Species

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Habitat News

Species Overview

California Sea Lion

West Coast Coastal Pelagic Species

Gray Whale

West Coast Groundfish

Killer Whale

Leatherback Turtle

North Pacific Swordfish

Pacific Bluefin Tuna

Pacific Halibut

Pacific Salmon and Steelhead

Pacific Whiting

White Abalone

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Species News