West Coast recreational fishing boats can now catch more fish, but not the depleted ones

US regulators have made routine, in-season adjustments to fishing rules for recreational boats off the West Coast. This means these boats can now catch more of the abundant fish species while still protecting those that are overfished.

These small, frequent adjustments are how regulators manage fish populations in real time. They allow recreational fishers to adapt to changing stock levels without waiting for a full regulatory cycle. This keeps fishing viable for local economies while trying to prevent further depletion of vulnerable species.