West Coast fishermen can catch more abundant fish, but not the depleted ones

US fisheries regulators have adjusted fishing rules for the West Coast. This means fishermen can now catch more of certain fish species that are plentiful, while still protecting those that are overfished.

Fishing quotas are usually set for two years at a time. But fish populations change faster than that. These inseason adjustments allow regulators to react quickly to new data, letting fishermen target healthy stocks without waiting for the next biennial review. This helps balance economic opportunity for fishermen with the long-term health of fish populations.