Harvest Specifications and Management Measures for Pacific Sardine, 2026–2027
Final Rule
 NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule in the Federal Register (91 FR 62677, October 2, 2026) implementing annual harvest specifications and management measures for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine for the July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, fishing year.
This rule prohibits most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine in federal waters 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.
This rule is intended to conserve, manage, and rebuild the Pacific sardine stock off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California.
2026–2027 Harvest Specifications
| Overfishing Limit (OFL) |
4,645 mt |
| Annual Catch Limit (ACL) |
2,200 mt |
| Annual Catch Target (ACT) |
2,100 mt |
| Harvest Guideline (HG) |
0 mt |
The following are additional management measures and in-season accountability measures for the 2026–2027 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.
In addition to the management measures and in-season accountability measures listed above, Pacific sardine catch in the minor directed fishery for finfish remains limited to 1 mt per trip per day, and 1 trip per day by any vessel.
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