2025–2026 Annual Specifications and Management Measures for Pacific Sardine
Summary
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, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
The rule prohibits most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Pacific sardine harvest is allowed only for use as live bait, in minor directed fisheries, as incidental catch in other fisheries, or as authorized under exempted fishing permits.
| Overfishing Limit (OFL) | Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) | Harvest Guideline (HG) | Annual Catch Limit (ACL) | Annual Catch Target (ACT) |
| 4,645 | 3,957 | 0 | 2,200 | 2,100 |
The following are the additional management measures and in-season accountability measures for the 2025–2026 Pacific sardine fishing year:
- An incidental per-landing limit of 20 percent (by weight) of Pacific sardine applies to other CPS primary directed fisheries (e.g., Pacific mackerel);
- If the ACT of 2,100 mt is attained, then a per-trip limit of 1 mt of Pacific sardine applies to all CPS fisheries (1. will no longer apply); and
- An incidental per-landing allowance of 2 mt of Pacific sardine applies to non-CPS fisheries until the ACL is reached.
This rule is intended to conserve, manage, and rebuild the Pacific sardine stock off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California.