US West Coast fishing rules now protect tuna habitats from fishing gear

US regulators have updated the rules for protecting fish habitats in the Pacific Ocean. This means fishing boats must now avoid certain areas to protect tuna and other highly migratory species.

For years, the rules about where fishing boats could operate did not fully account for the specific habitats of highly migratory species like tuna. This change means that areas critical for these fish, such as spawning grounds or feeding areas, are now explicitly protected. It forces commercial fishing operations to adjust their practices to avoid these newly defined essential habitats.