West Coast | NOAA Fisheries
Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/west-coast
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
West Coast | NOAA Fisheries
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West Coast
West Coast
West Coast Fisheries Management and Marine Life Protection
Learn about NOAA Fisheries' work in California, Oregon, and Washington.
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.
More Information
Managing West Coast Fisheries
Protecting Marine Life on the West Coast
West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network
About Us
|
Contact Us
West Coast Region
Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Follow Us
@NOAAFish_WCRO
@NOAAFish_NWFSC
NOAA Fisheries West Coast
NOAA Fisheries West Coast
Featured News
Feature Story
Restoring Cold-Water Pathways for Idaho’s Salmon and Steelhead
West Coast
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Feature Story
Yakima River Salmon Get a Lifeline with Removal of Causeway
West Coast
Feature Story
Helping Growers Permit Aquaculture Farms on the West Coast
West Coast
Feature Story
50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California
West Coast
View More News
Notices & Rules
Fisheries
Amendment 36 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan: Limited Entry Fixed Gear Follow-On Actions
West Coast
West Coast
Protected Resources
Seven Hatchery Programs in the Skokomish Basin
West Coast
West Coast
Protected Resources
Incidental Take Authorization: Point Blue Conservation Science’s Seabird Research Activities on the South Farallon Islands, Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, as well as at partner sites on Año Nuevo Island and the Point Reyes Headlands
West Coast
West Coast
Protected Resources
Incidental Take Authorization: Port of San Francisco's Mission Bay Ferry Landing Project in San Francisco Bay, CA
West Coast
West Coast
Protected Resources
Incidental Take Authorization: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s Marine Facilities Replacement Program in North Puget Sound, Washington
West Coast
West Coast
More Fisheries Notices & Rules
More Protected Resources Regs & Actions
Bulletins
Inseason Actions #26-#27 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Commercial & Recreational)
West Coast
West Coast
Inseason Actions #23-#25 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Recreational & Commercial)
West Coast
West Coast
Limited Entry Deep-set Buoy Gear Permit Tier 9 Application
West Coast
West Coast
IPHC Regulatory Area 2A Pacific Halibut Permit Application Period 2026
West Coast
West Coast
Second Reapportionment of Tribal Pacific Whiting Allocation for 2025
West Coast
West Coast
More Bulletins
Open Funding Opportunities
Fiscal Year 2024–2026: Broad Agency Announcement
National
National
Species Recovery Grants to States
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
More Opportunities
Featured Highlights
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
“Blob” Research Reveals Environmental Effects That Shut Down Fishing and Hiked Whale Entanglements
West Coast
California Ecosystem Surveys Give Insight on Ocean Changes to Come
West Coast
Northwest Science
Northwest Marine Life and Ecosystem 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
Conservation Biology
Environmental and Fisheries Sciences
Fish Ecology
Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring
Most Popular
Annual Salmon Forecast
Economic Data Collection Forms
Scientific Publications Database
Southern Resident Killer Whale Research
Salmon Restoration Projects
Fisheries Observers
Surveys
Research Surveys in the Pacific Northwest
West Coast Groundfish
Pacific Hake
Pacific Rockfish
Juvenile Salmon
Newport Hydrographic Line
Research Topics
Aquaculture
Ecosystem Science
Genetics
Marine Microbes
Ocean Acidification
Watershed Science
More Information
About the Northwest Fisheries Science Center
NWFSC Data Products & Tools
NWFSC Blogs
NWFSC Monster Seminar Jam
Postcards from the NWFSC
Internships in the West Coast Region
Science News & Blogs
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Leadership Message
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973.
Feature Story
50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
A California sea lion with her pup on the beach at San Miguel Island. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #16087. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
Record 30,000 Endangered Central California Coast Coho Salmon Return to Mendocino Coast Rivers
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Adult CCC coho spawning at Neefus Gulch. Trout Unlimited removed a fish passage barrier at this location with NOAA funding in 2024. Credit: Christie Hemm Klok/Trout Unlimited
Feature Story
NOAA Fisheries Launches Underwater Glider Challenge in Hawai‘i
Feature Story
,
Pacific Islands
West Coast
Pacific Islands
West Coast
An underwater glider ballasting (stabilizing) at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, in preparation for the 2026 glider challenge. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
Conflicting Ocean Indicators Suggest Moderate Returns of Pacific Salmon
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Juvenile salmon
More News
Southwest Marine Life and Ecosystem Science
The Southwest Fisheries Science Center supports the sustainable management and conservation of marine life. Find scientific reports and research program information.
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
Ecosystem Science Division
Fisheries Ecology Division
Fisheries Resources Division
Information Technology and Data Services Division
Marine Mammal and Turtle Division
Research Topics
Aquaculture
California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI)
California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (CCIEA)
Socio-economics of Eastern Pacific and West Coast Fisheries
Cetacean Genome Project
California Central Valley Chinook Salmon Life Cycle Modeling
Social-economics of California Salmonid Habitat and Water Resource
Leatherback Turtle Recovery
Stock Assessments
Southwest Fisheries Science Center Stock Assessment
Highly Migratory Species
Coastal Pelagic Species
Groundfish
Salmon
Antarctic Stock Assessment
Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
Resources
Ocean Technology Development Test Tank
ERDDAP data server
SWFSC Data on the NOAA Big Data Program (BDP)
SWFSC Metadata Library on Fisheries InPort
Marine Heatwave Tracker
Ecosystem-based and Dynamic Ocean Management
Dynamic West Coast Sea Surface Temperature Interactive
Pacific Fisheries Information Network
More Information
National Overview: Science & Data
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Science News & Blogs
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Leadership Message
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973.
Feature Story
50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
A California sea lion with her pup on the beach at San Miguel Island. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #16087. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
Record 30,000 Endangered Central California Coast Coho Salmon Return to Mendocino Coast Rivers
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Adult CCC coho spawning at Neefus Gulch. Trout Unlimited removed a fish passage barrier at this location with NOAA funding in 2024. Credit: Christie Hemm Klok/Trout Unlimited
Feature Story
NOAA Fisheries Launches Underwater Glider Challenge in Hawai‘i
Feature Story
,
Pacific Islands
West Coast
Pacific Islands
West Coast
An underwater glider ballasting (stabilizing) at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, in preparation for the 2026 glider challenge. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Science Blog
Sound Bytes: Meet the Pilots of the Underwater Glider Challenge
Pacific Islands
West Coast
Pacific Islands
West Coast
Glider team aboard R/V Kaunānā in Hawai'i, preparing to deploy 8 gliders. Credit Marvin Chea/UH Marine Center.
More News
Fisheries Overview
West Coast Commercial and Recreational Fishing Resources
Find permits, reporting forms, rules, and regulations for commercial and recreational fisheries in the West Coast region.
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
About Groundfish Fisheries
Fishery Management Plan
Rules and Notices
Permits
Groundfish Trawl Catch Shares Program
Halibut
Sablefish
Whiting
Salmon and Steelhead
About Salmon & Steelhead Fisheries
Salmon Fisheries Management Plan
Rules and Notices
Ocean Salmon Fisheries
Puget Sound Salmon and Steelhead Fisheries
Columbia River Basin Salmon and Steelhead Fisheries
Hatcheries on the West Coast
West Coast Salmon and Steelhead Fisheries Management
Highly Migratory Species
About HMS Fisheries
Fishery Management Plan
Management Measures/Actions under Tuna Conventions Act
Management Measures/Actions under Magnuson-Stevens Act
Public Notices
Permits
High Seas Fishing
Tuna Tracking & Verification Program
Coastal Pelagic Species
About CPS Fisheries
Fishery Management Plan
Rules and Notices
Public Notices
Permits
Federal Fishing Regulations
More Information
National Overview: Sustainable Fisheries
Permits
Recreational Fisheries
Ecosystem-based Management
Aquaculture on the West Coast
Essential Fish Habitat on the West Coast
NEPA Documents Available for Public Review
Fisheries News
Inseason Actions #26-#27 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Commercial & Recreational)
West Coast
West Coast
Inseason Actions #23-#25 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Recreational & Commercial)
West Coast
West Coast
Limited Entry Deep-set Buoy Gear Permit Tier 9 Application
West Coast
West Coast
IPHC Regulatory Area 2A Pacific Halibut Permit Application Period 2026
West Coast
West Coast
Second Reapportionment of Tribal Pacific Whiting Allocation for 2025
West Coast
West Coast
More News
Protected Marine Life
West Coast Marine Life Conservation and Recovery Resources
We protect, conserve, and manage protected marine mammals, fish, invertebrates, and sea turtles. Find information on our protected species programs in the West Coast.
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
Our Work Under the Endangered Species Act
Threatened and Endangered Species on the West Coast
Status Reviews and 5-Year Updates
Critical Habitat Designations
Biological Opinions
Consultations with Federal Agencies
Permits & Authorizations
Recovery Plans
Marine Mammal Protection
Our Work Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act
Marine Mammals on the West Coast
Report Dead, Injured, Stranded, or Entangled Marine Mammals
Saving the Southern Resident Killer Whales
Large Whale Entanglement
Permits & Authorizations
Share the Shore: Responsible Marine Mammal Viewing
Southern Resident Killer Whale Updates
Pacific Salmon Recovery
Saving Pacific Salmon and Steelhead
Report Card on Recovery: Reviews Assess 28 Salmon and Steelhead Species
Salmon and Steelhead Research in the Pacific Northwest
Climate Impacts to Salmon of the Pacific Northwest
Recovery Through Reintroductions for California’s Central Valley Salmon
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
Salmon Education Materials for the Classroom
What You Can Do to Help Recover Salmon
National Topics
Species Recovery Grants to States
Species Recovery Grants to Tribes
Fisheries Interactions
Marine Life in Distress
Marine Life Viewing Guidelines
Population Assessments
Species in the Spotlight
Enforcement
More Information
National Overview: Protecting Marine Life
Protecting Marine Life on the West Coast
Dams on the West Coast
Hatcheries on the West Coast
Aquaculture on the West Coast
Funding Opportunities
Regulatory Actions
Critical Habitat Maps & GIS Data
Marine Life News
Feature Story
50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
A California sea lion with her pup on the beach at San Miguel Island. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #16087. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
Record 30,000 Endangered Central California Coast Coho Salmon Return to Mendocino Coast Rivers
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Adult CCC coho spawning at Neefus Gulch. Trout Unlimited removed a fish passage barrier at this location with NOAA funding in 2024. Credit: Christie Hemm Klok/Trout Unlimited
Feature Story
Endangered Killer Whales Known for Isolation May Depend on Their Interaction with Other Populations
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Southern Resident killer whale J16 breaches near the San Juan Islands, with J26 nearby. The Southern Residents have spent less time in and around the San Juan Islands during summer in recent years. Photo by Katy Foster/NOAA Fisheries, under permit 18786.
Feature Story
Seal and Sea Lion Week
Feature Story
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Seal & Sea Lion Week is March 23–27, 2026.
Leadership Message
A Conversation with Regional Administrator Jennifer Quan About the 2026 West Coast Salmon Fishing Seasons
Leadership Message
,
West Coast
West Coast
From left, Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries; Adam Nickels, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Acting Regional Director; and Jennifer Quan, Regional Administrator of NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region; during a February visit to Shasta Dam. Photo courtesy U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
More News
Habitat Overview
West Coast Habitat Conservation and Restoration Resources
We conserve West Coast habitats to boost fish populations, recover threatened and endangered species, and support communities. Find information on our programs.
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
Essential Fish Habitat
Habitat Areas of Particular Concern
Habitat Conservation Plans
Safe Harbor Agreements
Critical Habitat Designations
Critical Habitat Maps and GIS Data
Mitigation Banks, Conservation Banks, and In-Lieu Fee Programs
California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy
Fish Passage
Hydroelectric Projects
Dams on the West Coast
Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion
Klamath River Basin Biological Opinion
Willamette River Biological Opinion
Fish Passage Guidelines
Habitat Consultations and Resources
Biological Opinions
Essential Fish Habitat Consultations
Deep-Sea Corals
Estuaries
Kelp Forests
Rivers
Rocky Reefs
Seagrass
Habitat Restoration
Aquatic Invasive Species
Habitat Blueprint - Russian River Habitat Focus Area
Puget Sound Action Plan
Restoration of Salmon and Steelhead Habitat
San Joaquin River Basin
More Information
National Overview: Habitat Conservation
Funding Opportunities
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
Habitat News
Feature Story
Restoring Cold-Water Pathways for Idaho’s Salmon and Steelhead
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
The Salmon River, which is part of the Snake River Basin in Idaho. Credit: Adobe Stock
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Leadership Message
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973.
Feature Story
Yakima River Salmon Get a Lifeline with Removal of Causeway
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
An excavator breaches the Bateman Island causeway, allowing water to flow freely through the river channel for the first time in 85 years. Credit: Michael-David A. Bushman/Yakama Nation Fisheries
Feature Story
Record 30,000 Endangered Central California Coast Coho Salmon Return to Mendocino Coast Rivers
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Adult CCC coho spawning at Neefus Gulch. Trout Unlimited removed a fish passage barrier at this location with NOAA funding in 2024. Credit: Christie Hemm Klok/Trout Unlimited
Video
Helicopters Help Rebuild Salmon Habitat on the Olympic Peninsula
Video
,
West Coast
West Coast
Building engineered log jams on Shale Creek. Credit: Ben Matthews/Quinault Indian Nation
More News
Species Overview
West Coast Managed and Protected Marine Species
Find a list of federally managed or protected fish, invertebrates, sea turtles, and mammals in the West Coast region.
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
.
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
View All
More Information
Find a Species
Threatened and Endangered Species
Marine Mammals
Fished Species
Species in the Spotlight
Species News
Feature Story
Restoring Cold-Water Pathways for Idaho’s Salmon and Steelhead
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
The Salmon River, which is part of the Snake River Basin in Idaho. Credit: Adobe Stock
Feature Story
Yakima River Salmon Get a Lifeline with Removal of Causeway
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
An excavator breaches the Bateman Island causeway, allowing water to flow freely through the river channel for the first time in 85 years. Credit: Michael-David A. Bushman/Yakama Nation Fisheries
Feature Story
Helping Growers Permit Aquaculture Farms on the West Coast
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, Assistant Administrator of Fisheries, visits an oyster farm in Washington. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Feature Story
50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
A California sea lion with her pup on the beach at San Miguel Island. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #16087. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
Record 30,000 Endangered Central California Coast Coho Salmon Return to Mendocino Coast Rivers
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Adult CCC coho spawning at Neefus Gulch. Trout Unlimited removed a fish passage barrier at this location with NOAA funding in 2024. Credit: Christie Hemm Klok/Trout Unlimited
More News
Skip to main content
West Coast
West Coast
West Coast Fisheries Management and Marine Life Protection
Learn about NOAA Fisheries' work in California, Oregon, and Washington.
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.
More Information
Managing West Coast Fisheries
Protecting Marine Life on the West Coast
West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network
About Us
|
Contact Us
West Coast Region
Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Follow Us
@NOAAFish_WCRO
@NOAAFish_NWFSC
NOAA Fisheries West Coast
NOAA Fisheries West Coast
Featured News
Feature Story
Restoring Cold-Water Pathways for Idaho’s Salmon and Steelhead
West Coast
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Feature Story
Yakima River Salmon Get a Lifeline with Removal of Causeway
West Coast
Feature Story
Helping Growers Permit Aquaculture Farms on the West Coast
West Coast
Feature Story
50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California
West Coast
View More News
Notices & Rules
Fisheries
Amendment 36 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan: Limited Entry Fixed Gear Follow-On Actions
West Coast
West Coast
Protected Resources
Seven Hatchery Programs in the Skokomish Basin
West Coast
West Coast
Protected Resources
Incidental Take Authorization: Point Blue Conservation Science’s Seabird Research Activities on the South Farallon Islands, Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, as well as at partner sites on Año Nuevo Island and the Point Reyes Headlands
West Coast
West Coast
Protected Resources
Incidental Take Authorization: Port of San Francisco's Mission Bay Ferry Landing Project in San Francisco Bay, CA
West Coast
West Coast
Protected Resources
Incidental Take Authorization: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s Marine Facilities Replacement Program in North Puget Sound, Washington
West Coast
West Coast
More Fisheries Notices & Rules
More Protected Resources Regs & Actions
Bulletins
Inseason Actions #26-#27 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Commercial & Recreational)
West Coast
West Coast
Inseason Actions #23-#25 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Recreational & Commercial)
West Coast
West Coast
Limited Entry Deep-set Buoy Gear Permit Tier 9 Application
West Coast
West Coast
IPHC Regulatory Area 2A Pacific Halibut Permit Application Period 2026
West Coast
West Coast
Second Reapportionment of Tribal Pacific Whiting Allocation for 2025
West Coast
West Coast
More Bulletins
Open Funding Opportunities
Fiscal Year 2024–2026: Broad Agency Announcement
National
National
Species Recovery Grants to States
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
More Opportunities
Featured Highlights
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
“Blob” Research Reveals Environmental Effects That Shut Down Fishing and Hiked Whale Entanglements
West Coast
California Ecosystem Surveys Give Insight on Ocean Changes to Come
West Coast
Northwest Science
Northwest Marine Life and Ecosystem 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
Conservation Biology
Environmental and Fisheries Sciences
Fish Ecology
Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring
Most Popular
Annual Salmon Forecast
Economic Data Collection Forms
Scientific Publications Database
Southern Resident Killer Whale Research
Salmon Restoration Projects
Fisheries Observers
Surveys
Research Surveys in the Pacific Northwest
West Coast Groundfish
Pacific Hake
Pacific Rockfish
Juvenile Salmon
Newport Hydrographic Line
Research Topics
Aquaculture
Ecosystem Science
Genetics
Marine Microbes
Ocean Acidification
Watershed Science
More Information
About the Northwest Fisheries Science Center
NWFSC Data Products & Tools
NWFSC Blogs
NWFSC Monster Seminar Jam
Postcards from the NWFSC
Internships in the West Coast Region
Science News & Blogs
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Leadership Message
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973.
Feature Story
50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
A California sea lion with her pup on the beach at San Miguel Island. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #16087. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
Record 30,000 Endangered Central California Coast Coho Salmon Return to Mendocino Coast Rivers
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Adult CCC coho spawning at Neefus Gulch. Trout Unlimited removed a fish passage barrier at this location with NOAA funding in 2024. Credit: Christie Hemm Klok/Trout Unlimited
Feature Story
NOAA Fisheries Launches Underwater Glider Challenge in Hawai‘i
Feature Story
,
Pacific Islands
West Coast
Pacific Islands
West Coast
An underwater glider ballasting (stabilizing) at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, in preparation for the 2026 glider challenge. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
Conflicting Ocean Indicators Suggest Moderate Returns of Pacific Salmon
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Juvenile salmon
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Southwest Marine Life and Ecosystem Science
The Southwest Fisheries Science Center supports the sustainable management and conservation of marine life. Find scientific reports and research program information.
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
Ecosystem Science Division
Fisheries Ecology Division
Fisheries Resources Division
Information Technology and Data Services Division
Marine Mammal and Turtle Division
Research Topics
Aquaculture
California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI)
California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (CCIEA)
Socio-economics of Eastern Pacific and West Coast Fisheries
Cetacean Genome Project
California Central Valley Chinook Salmon Life Cycle Modeling
Social-economics of California Salmonid Habitat and Water Resource
Leatherback Turtle Recovery
Stock Assessments
Southwest Fisheries Science Center Stock Assessment
Highly Migratory Species
Coastal Pelagic Species
Groundfish
Salmon
Antarctic Stock Assessment
Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
Resources
Ocean Technology Development Test Tank
ERDDAP data server
SWFSC Data on the NOAA Big Data Program (BDP)
SWFSC Metadata Library on Fisheries InPort
Marine Heatwave Tracker
Ecosystem-based and Dynamic Ocean Management
Dynamic West Coast Sea Surface Temperature Interactive
Pacific Fisheries Information Network
More Information
National Overview: Science & Data
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Science News & Blogs
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Leadership Message
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973.
Feature Story
50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
A California sea lion with her pup on the beach at San Miguel Island. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #16087. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
Record 30,000 Endangered Central California Coast Coho Salmon Return to Mendocino Coast Rivers
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Adult CCC coho spawning at Neefus Gulch. Trout Unlimited removed a fish passage barrier at this location with NOAA funding in 2024. Credit: Christie Hemm Klok/Trout Unlimited
Feature Story
NOAA Fisheries Launches Underwater Glider Challenge in Hawai‘i
Feature Story
,
Pacific Islands
West Coast
Pacific Islands
West Coast
An underwater glider ballasting (stabilizing) at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, in preparation for the 2026 glider challenge. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Science Blog
Sound Bytes: Meet the Pilots of the Underwater Glider Challenge
Pacific Islands
West Coast
Pacific Islands
West Coast
Glider team aboard R/V Kaunānā in Hawai'i, preparing to deploy 8 gliders. Credit Marvin Chea/UH Marine Center.
More News
Fisheries Overview
West Coast Commercial and Recreational Fishing Resources
Find permits, reporting forms, rules, and regulations for commercial and recreational fisheries in the West Coast region.
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
About Groundfish Fisheries
Fishery Management Plan
Rules and Notices
Permits
Groundfish Trawl Catch Shares Program
Halibut
Sablefish
Whiting
Salmon and Steelhead
About Salmon & Steelhead Fisheries
Salmon Fisheries Management Plan
Rules and Notices
Ocean Salmon Fisheries
Puget Sound Salmon and Steelhead Fisheries
Columbia River Basin Salmon and Steelhead Fisheries
Hatcheries on the West Coast
West Coast Salmon and Steelhead Fisheries Management
Highly Migratory Species
About HMS Fisheries
Fishery Management Plan
Management Measures/Actions under Tuna Conventions Act
Management Measures/Actions under Magnuson-Stevens Act
Public Notices
Permits
High Seas Fishing
Tuna Tracking & Verification Program
Coastal Pelagic Species
About CPS Fisheries
Fishery Management Plan
Rules and Notices
Public Notices
Permits
Federal Fishing Regulations
More Information
National Overview: Sustainable Fisheries
Permits
Recreational Fisheries
Ecosystem-based Management
Aquaculture on the West Coast
Essential Fish Habitat on the West Coast
NEPA Documents Available for Public Review
Fisheries News
Inseason Actions #26-#27 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Commercial & Recreational)
West Coast
West Coast
Inseason Actions #23-#25 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Recreational & Commercial)
West Coast
West Coast
Limited Entry Deep-set Buoy Gear Permit Tier 9 Application
West Coast
West Coast
IPHC Regulatory Area 2A Pacific Halibut Permit Application Period 2026
West Coast
West Coast
Second Reapportionment of Tribal Pacific Whiting Allocation for 2025
West Coast
West Coast
More News
Protected Marine Life
West Coast Marine Life Conservation and Recovery Resources
We protect, conserve, and manage protected marine mammals, fish, invertebrates, and sea turtles. Find information on our protected species programs in the West Coast.
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
Our Work Under the Endangered Species Act
Threatened and Endangered Species on the West Coast
Status Reviews and 5-Year Updates
Critical Habitat Designations
Biological Opinions
Consultations with Federal Agencies
Permits & Authorizations
Recovery Plans
Marine Mammal Protection
Our Work Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act
Marine Mammals on the West Coast
Report Dead, Injured, Stranded, or Entangled Marine Mammals
Saving the Southern Resident Killer Whales
Large Whale Entanglement
Permits & Authorizations
Share the Shore: Responsible Marine Mammal Viewing
Southern Resident Killer Whale Updates
Pacific Salmon Recovery
Saving Pacific Salmon and Steelhead
Report Card on Recovery: Reviews Assess 28 Salmon and Steelhead Species
Salmon and Steelhead Research in the Pacific Northwest
Climate Impacts to Salmon of the Pacific Northwest
Recovery Through Reintroductions for California’s Central Valley Salmon
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
Salmon Education Materials for the Classroom
What You Can Do to Help Recover Salmon
National Topics
Species Recovery Grants to States
Species Recovery Grants to Tribes
Fisheries Interactions
Marine Life in Distress
Marine Life Viewing Guidelines
Population Assessments
Species in the Spotlight
Enforcement
More Information
National Overview: Protecting Marine Life
Protecting Marine Life on the West Coast
Dams on the West Coast
Hatcheries on the West Coast
Aquaculture on the West Coast
Funding Opportunities
Regulatory Actions
Critical Habitat Maps & GIS Data
Marine Life News
Feature Story
50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
A California sea lion with her pup on the beach at San Miguel Island. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #16087. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
Record 30,000 Endangered Central California Coast Coho Salmon Return to Mendocino Coast Rivers
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Adult CCC coho spawning at Neefus Gulch. Trout Unlimited removed a fish passage barrier at this location with NOAA funding in 2024. Credit: Christie Hemm Klok/Trout Unlimited
Feature Story
Endangered Killer Whales Known for Isolation May Depend on Their Interaction with Other Populations
Feature Story
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West Coast
West Coast
Southern Resident killer whale J16 breaches near the San Juan Islands, with J26 nearby. The Southern Residents have spent less time in and around the San Juan Islands during summer in recent years. Photo by Katy Foster/NOAA Fisheries, under permit 18786.
Feature Story
Seal and Sea Lion Week
Feature Story
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Seal & Sea Lion Week is March 23–27, 2026.
Leadership Message
A Conversation with Regional Administrator Jennifer Quan About the 2026 West Coast Salmon Fishing Seasons
Leadership Message
,
West Coast
West Coast
From left, Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries; Adam Nickels, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Acting Regional Director; and Jennifer Quan, Regional Administrator of NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region; during a February visit to Shasta Dam. Photo courtesy U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
More News
Habitat Overview
West Coast Habitat Conservation and Restoration Resources
We conserve West Coast habitats to boost fish populations, recover threatened and endangered species, and support communities. Find information on our programs.
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
Essential Fish Habitat
Habitat Areas of Particular Concern
Habitat Conservation Plans
Safe Harbor Agreements
Critical Habitat Designations
Critical Habitat Maps and GIS Data
Mitigation Banks, Conservation Banks, and In-Lieu Fee Programs
California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy
Fish Passage
Hydroelectric Projects
Dams on the West Coast
Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion
Klamath River Basin Biological Opinion
Willamette River Biological Opinion
Fish Passage Guidelines
Habitat Consultations and Resources
Biological Opinions
Essential Fish Habitat Consultations
Deep-Sea Corals
Estuaries
Kelp Forests
Rivers
Rocky Reefs
Seagrass
Habitat Restoration
Aquatic Invasive Species
Habitat Blueprint - Russian River Habitat Focus Area
Puget Sound Action Plan
Restoration of Salmon and Steelhead Habitat
San Joaquin River Basin
More Information
National Overview: Habitat Conservation
Funding Opportunities
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
Habitat News
Feature Story
Restoring Cold-Water Pathways for Idaho’s Salmon and Steelhead
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
The Salmon River, which is part of the Snake River Basin in Idaho. Credit: Adobe Stock
Leadership Message
50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Leadership Message
,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973.
Feature Story
Yakima River Salmon Get a Lifeline with Removal of Causeway
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
An excavator breaches the Bateman Island causeway, allowing water to flow freely through the river channel for the first time in 85 years. Credit: Michael-David A. Bushman/Yakama Nation Fisheries
Feature Story
Record 30,000 Endangered Central California Coast Coho Salmon Return to Mendocino Coast Rivers
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Adult CCC coho spawning at Neefus Gulch. Trout Unlimited removed a fish passage barrier at this location with NOAA funding in 2024. Credit: Christie Hemm Klok/Trout Unlimited
Video
Helicopters Help Rebuild Salmon Habitat on the Olympic Peninsula
Video
,
West Coast
West Coast
Building engineered log jams on Shale Creek. Credit: Ben Matthews/Quinault Indian Nation
More News
Species Overview
West Coast Managed and Protected Marine Species
Find a list of federally managed or protected fish, invertebrates, sea turtles, and mammals in the West Coast region.
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
.
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
View All
More Information
Find a Species
Threatened and Endangered Species
Marine Mammals
Fished Species
Species in the Spotlight
Species News
Feature Story
Restoring Cold-Water Pathways for Idaho’s Salmon and Steelhead
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
The Salmon River, which is part of the Snake River Basin in Idaho. Credit: Adobe Stock
Feature Story
Yakima River Salmon Get a Lifeline with Removal of Causeway
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
An excavator breaches the Bateman Island causeway, allowing water to flow freely through the river channel for the first time in 85 years. Credit: Michael-David A. Bushman/Yakama Nation Fisheries
Feature Story
Helping Growers Permit Aquaculture Farms on the West Coast
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, Assistant Administrator of Fisheries, visits an oyster farm in Washington. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Feature Story
50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
A California sea lion with her pup on the beach at San Miguel Island. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #16087. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story
Record 30,000 Endangered Central California Coast Coho Salmon Return to Mendocino Coast Rivers
Feature Story
,
West Coast
West Coast
Adult CCC coho spawning at Neefus Gulch. Trout Unlimited removed a fish passage barrier at this location with NOAA funding in 2024. Credit: Christie Hemm Klok/Trout Unlimited
More News