West Coast groundfish boats can now use different gear and fish at any hour

US regulators are proposing to loosen rules for West Coast groundfish fishing permits. This means fishing boats can use more types of gear and fish for sablefish at any time of day, not just during specific hours.

For years, fishing permits often came with strict rules about what gear could be used and when. These rules added administrative burden and limited how fishermen could adapt to changing conditions or target different species. This change means permit holders get more flexibility to operate their businesses, potentially increasing their efficiency and income.