Overfished Determination for California Quillback Rockfish Even as Areas Re-open to Non-trawl Fleets
California recreational and commercial fishermen have dreaded the recent announcement from NMFS that quillback rockfish, Sebastes maliger, is considered overfished.
But they've known it was coming. A 2021 stock assessment showed the stock was in trouble and the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NMFS would have to consider that finding when they set the 2025-2026 harvest specifications and management measures. But Thursday's announcement from NMFS made it official.
"This determination is based on the 2021 stock assessment of California quillback rockfish that was prioritized by the Pacific Fishery Management Council ...
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