West Coast Region Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Implementation Plan
The plan is built around the policy goals and guiding principles identified in NOAA’s Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy.
The NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and Southwest Fisheries Science Center work together to support recreational fishing communities through sustainable fisheries management, research, communication, and collaboration. Our West Coast offices work within the coasts and watersheds of Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho. We cover 317,690 square miles of the eastern Pacific Ocean, and more than 7,000 miles of tidal coastline, as well as the ecological functions within the states’ vast rivers and estuaries. We build sustainable fisheries, recover endangered and threatened species, maintain healthy ecosystems, and protect human health.
In addition to inter-agency coordination, our thriving partnership with the recreational fishing community has been vital to ensuring sustainable fisheries through innovative science and management, economic vitality, and healthy ecosystems. In 2019, recreational fishermen took 4.3 million saltwater fishing trips on the West Coast supporting approximately 10,900 jobs and $1.5 billion in sales.
We have been taking, and are planning to take additional actions, including those listed below, in support of our National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy, promoting stewardship of our nation’s marine resources, contributing to coastal economies, and enriching the lives of millions of Americans through all that recreational fishing has to offer.
The West Coast Region, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and Southwest Fisheries Science will continue collaborating with the recreational fishing community between 2024 and 2026 to achieve the goals of the revised policy through strategies that include outreach, engagement, and collaboration, research, and fisheries management.
Support, Maintain, and Recover Sustainable Saltwater Recreational and Non-Commercial Fisheries Resources, Including Protected Species, and Healthy Marine and Estuarine Habitats
Pacific Recreational Fisheries Information Network
Support, collaborate with, and utilize the data enterprise of the Pacific Recreational Fisheries Information Network (RecFIN) and their Regional Implementation Plan. The project supports guiding principles 3 and 5. Metrics of success include funding in support of Pacific RecFin projects, NOAA Fisheries staff on Pacific RecFIN database and data utilization projects, and the utilization of Pacific RecFIN data resources in NOAA Fisheries research and management projects.
Provide Updated Economic Value of Recreational Fishing on The West Coast
Improve available socio-economic information. The project supports guiding principle 5. Metrics of success include analyzing economic survey data for saltwater anglers in California, Oregon, and Washington and conducting the recreational business cost-earnings survey to ensure the data reflect changing regulatory and market conditions.
Survey Sampling of Recreational Fisheries Target Species
Develop, initiate, and maintain innovative biological sampling programs for recreational target species. Current projects include the collection of data and biological samples of bluefin and yellowfin tuna and rockfishes on board commercial passenger fishing vessels at sea, and dockside, to ensure high-quality data are collected and included in stock assessments. The project supports guiding principles 1, 4, and 5. Metrics of success include the number of species/fisheries covered, number of samples shared, and the use of data in stock assessments.
Collaborative Constituent Based Research
Engage and partner with recreational fisheries constituent groups in the development and implementation of scientific research projects that directly address the conservation and management of recreational fisheries. The project supports guiding principles 1, 4, and 5. Metrics of success include the number of anglers, angler groups, and recreational fisheries businesses involved; the number of instances that collaborative based data is reported or enters the conservation and management process; and the number of samples shared or use of data in stock assessments.
Thiamine Research in Salmon
Support scientists from the Southwest Fisheries Science Center who are working with fishermen to collect samples to understand thiamine deficiency being observed in California salmon populations. The project supports guiding principles 1, 4, and 5. Metrics of success include the number of samples collected.
Promote Inclusive and Sustainable Saltwater Recreational and Non-Commercial Fishing for the Social, Cultural, and Economic Benefit of the Nation
Support and Participate in Outreach Events and Site Visits
Engage the recreational fishing community on the ground at fishing expos, festivals, etc. to better serve them by understanding their concerns and priorities, and to broadly share recreational fishing information that impacts these communities. The project supports guiding principles 2 and 6. Metrics of success include the number of events participated in and the number of participants reached.
Social Media
Promote inclusive and sustainable recreational fisheries throughout the West Coast through postings on our social media channels. The action supports guiding principles 2, 5, and 6. Metrics of success include the number of social media impressions.
West Coast Recreational Fisheries Newsletter
Publish regular, online newsletters for the public to stay informed of NOAA Fisheries actions, stories, and more related to recreational fisheries. The project supports guiding principles 2, 5, and 6. Metrics of success include the publication of a quarterly newsletter and number of subscribers reached.
Promote Regulatory & Safety-At-Sea Compliance
Work with law enforcement partners and stakeholders to identify areas in greatest need of enforcement and safety-at-sea efforts, and address them through additional outreach or enforcement presence, compliance assistance materials, etc. The action supports guiding principles 1, 3, and 6. Metrics of success include the development of outreach materials, the number of social media impressions and in-person contacts, and a decreasing number of violations over time.
Enable Enduring Participation In, and Enjoyment Of, Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Through Science-Based Conservation and Management
Recreational Research and Data Needs
Coordinate with partners to address biological and human-dimensions research and data needs identified in the Pacific Fishery Management Council's Research and Data Needs database. The project supports guiding principles 1, 3, and 5. Metrics of success include the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data and information.
Fisheries Data for the Public
Highlight the availability of recreational fishing data to the public in the Recreational Fisheries Information Network through additional communications products and outreach. The project supports guiding principles 3, 5, and 6. Metrics of success include the development of outreach materials and the number of social media impressions and in-person contacts.
Improve Central Valley Hatchery Operations & Management
The West Coast Region will continue work to improve Central Valley hatchery operations and management through numerous projects. These projects include finalization of California's Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans, supporting the rebuild of the Nimbus hatchery on the American River, supporting the rebuild and relocation of the Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery, and investing in parentage-based tagging and other tools to allow for release of different life stages of fish from hatcheries. The project supports guiding principles 1, 3, 4, and 5. Metrics of success include the number of plans completed and the number of new technologies/facilities adopted.
Reintroduction of Winter-Run Chinook Salmon to Historical Habitats
Reintroducing winter-run Chinook to their historical spawning habitats in the McCloud, Upper Sacramento, and Pitt Rivers could provide management flexibility and alleviate the need to focus solely on winter-run Chinook below Shasta Dam. Currently, Central Valley Water Operations have only marginal benefits for fall run, which are the target species for saltwater recreational fisheries. These projects support guiding principles 1, 3, and 4. Metrics of success include a high number of juvenile out-migrating winter-run collected at the Shasta Juvenile Collection facility, which contribute to a positive cohort replacement rate.
Support Increased Monitoring for Central Valley Fall Run Chinook
The Central Valley fall run Chinook are a highly desired target for noncommercial fisheries and baseline population data are integral to management of the recreational fisheries. The project supports guiding principles 3, 4, and 5. Metrics of success include the collection of escapement data.
Develop and Implement Full Eel River Sonar Network
Establishing complete watershed California coastal Chinook escapement estimates will provide a proof-of-concept and launching point for longer term monitoring to be conducted by non-Fisheries entities. NOAA Fisheries and our SONAR partners agree that operating sonars concurrently within the Upper Eel River, Middle Fork Eel River, South Fork Eel River, and the Van Duzen River and other potential locations is necessary to achieve complete salmonid escapement estimates for the Eel River watershed. This project supports guiding principles 1, 3, and 4. Metrics of success include the escapement of adult California coastal Chinook in the Eel River.
Advance Climate-Ready Policies and Programs to Respond to Climate-Driven Changes and Impacts on Fishery Resources and the Ecosystem
Climate-Ready Fisheries
Work within the Pacific Fishery Management Council process and with the West Coast Regional Office and Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers to ensure that recreational fisheries priorities, data, and information are considered in developing climate-ready fisheries. Ensure that recreationally important finfish species are considered under the Council's current Ecosystem and Climate Information Initiative. Ensure that recreationally important finfish species are considered in workshops supporting implementation of the Western Regional Action Plan on climate science. Align this work with the NOAA Fisheries Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy. The project supports guiding principles 1, 3, 4, and 5. Metrics of success include at least one recreationally important finfish species subject to the Pacific Fishery Management Council's current ecosystem initiative and at least one recreationally important finfish species subject to Western Regional Action Plan-related science planning on larval and juvenile finfish survivability and recruitment to fisheries.
Sea Lion Depredation
Work with the commercial passenger fishing vessel fleet in California to examine depredation rates on catch. The project supports guiding principles 1, 3, and 5. Metrics of success include publication of a peer-reviewed paper or technical report on depredation occurrences.
Marine Spatial Planning
Support the West Coast Wind Energy Coordinator and Team and Regional Aquaculture Coordinators by providing recreational fisheries data and information for informing marine spatial planning and impacts to recreational target species due to offshore wind and aquaculture area placements. This activity supports guiding principles 1, 3, and 5. Metrics of success include a number of reports that consider recreational target species.
Weather and Fisheries
Coordinate with the National Weather Service to promote safety-at-sea and regulatory actions/advisories within recreational fisheries to support safe public access and improve the dissemination of weather and fishing information to the recreational fishing community. The project supports guiding principles 3, 5, and 6. Metrics of success include the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data and information.
Pursue and Support Equitable Treatment and Meaningful Involvement of Underserved and Underrepresented Communities in Recreational and Non-Commercial Fisheries and Stewardship
Support Community-Led Fishing Trips
Participate in community-led fishing trips that include underserved and underrepresented fishing participants to increase access to groups historically not involved in recreational fishing. This activity supports guiding principles 2 and 6. Metrics of success include the number of events with NOAA participation.
Increase Engagement with West Coast Tribes and Underserved Communities
Engage with tribal and underserved communities to determine how to best pursue and support equitable treatment and meaningful involvement in recreational fisheries and stewardship through localized outreach, relationship and trust building, and information sharing. The work supports guiding principles 2, 3, and 6. Metrics of success include the number of contacts made and communities involved.
Continue to Support the West Coast Marine Resource Education Program
Marine Resource Education Programworkshops enhance public participation in the federal fisheries science and management process and provide fishing participants with a better understanding of how, when, and where to engage effectively in fisheries science and management. Ensure that the above work aligns with the NOAA Fisheries Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy. This project supports guiding principles 2, 3, and 6. Metrics of success include the number of workshops hosted and number of constituent participants.
Host Dock Talks and Regional Roundtable Discussions
Host regionalized "dock talks" and larger roundtables to promote direct and consistent engagement with the recreational fishing community. These engagements will help the agency focus on priorities of most interest to the recreational fishing community and allow for more two-way communication. Ensure that the above work aligns with the NOAA Fisheries Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy and climate-change readiness. This work supports guiding principles 5 and 6. Metrics of success include the number of events hosted and total number of attendees.
Ensure Agency Materials are Available in Multiple Languages
Increase access to recreational fishing publications and materials by translating into languages representative of the broader demographics of the recreational fishing community. This work supports guiding principles 2, 5, and 6. Metrics of success include the number of products translated and the number of languages available.
Art & NOAA
Host a NOAA Art + Science Fellow to complete a creative project that identifies and engages the diverse non-commercial fishing community in Southern California using art as a tool for communication. This project supports guiding principles 2 and 6. Metrics of success include the completion of the project and the number of participants engaged.