2022-2023 Annual Specifications and Management Measures for Pacific Sardine

NOAA Fisheries has implemented annual harvest specifications and management measures for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine (hereafter, Pacific sardine), for the fishing year from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. The rule prohibits most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California.

Pacific sardine harvest are allowed only in the live bait fishery, minor directed fisheries, as incidental catch in other fisheries, or as authorized under exempted fishing permits. The incidental harvest of Pacific sardine is limited to 20 percent by weight of all fish per trip when caught with other stocks managed under the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan or up to 2 metric tons per trip when caught with non-Coastal Pelagic Species stocks. The annual catch limit for the 2022-2023 Pacific sardine fishing year is 4,274 metric tons.

This rule is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific sardine stock off the U.S. West Coast.

NOAA Fisheries published a correction to the final rule (see below) to rectify a transcription error in the final rule. The correct tonnage amount that would trigger a trip limit for the live bait fishery is 2,500 metric tons.