Following international action to end overfishing of Pacific bluefin tuna, a new stock assessment shows that the species is now increasing and includes many younger fish that will help accelerate its rebound. “The stock is recovering faster than anticipated, and met the initial rebuilding target, 5 years ahead of the 2024 deadline,” said Dr. Huihua Lee, a research mathematical statistician at NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center who helped develop the stock assessment. “The success reflects the coordinated science-based management measures to reduce catches of young fish and the strong resilience of the species.”

Read more about how international actions have contributed to a positive and accelerating trend in stock abundance.

As we welcome autumn, we also celebrate National Seafood Month. The United States is recognized as a global leader in sustainable seafood for both wild-caught and farmed species. Recreational fishing also plays an important role in providing seafood to diets across the nation. There's a lot to celebrate this month because—aside from being scrumptious—seafood is good for you, good for the economy, and good for the planet!

Join us all month long to celebrate sustainable seafood with new features, videos, and more.

National marine sanctuaries are special places set aside to protect and preserve areas of the ocean and Great Lakes with great natural and cultural significance. These national underwater treasures can be enjoyed by everyone—whether in person, virtually, or through their taste buds. Many national marine sanctuaries support community food traditions that have become culinary staples in their regions. 

Check out some of the most iconic dishes found across the sanctuary system.

Also, learn from our NOAA Fisheries' partners and West Coast experts about what they’re ‘cooking up’ in the field, and in their own kitchens!

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s ocean salmon project leader and avid ocean coho angler, Eric Schindler, provides some tips for targeting coho salmon on big water. Water conditions, gear, and flexibility all matter.

Check out these 10 tips for targeting coho salmon on the ocean.

On August 9, 2022 excavators dug the first breach in the dike surrounding North Ebey Island, between the cities of Everett and Marysville, north of Seattle, Washington. Now reconnected to the Snohomish River, the new estuary island can serve as a home river nursery for nine species of salmonids, including the threatened Puget Sound Chinook salmon, the preferred food of Southern Resident killer whales.  The project is part of the largest estuary restoration effort in Puget Sound with a goal to restore over 1,500 acres of Snohomish Estuary wetlands.

Learn more about the completion of the Blue Heron Slough.

NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center will be hosting the Pacific Sardine Stock Structure workshop from Tuesday, November 15 to Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 9:30 am- 4 pm PST in La Jolla, California. This workshop will be offered in a hybrid online and in-person format, and will discuss Pacific sardine stock structure and its delineation in the stock assessment and hence how survey and catch data are assembled for assessment purposes. Interested participants should register by October 31st.

Learn more about the workshop and register here.