Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas: Point Reyes Headlands Special Closure and Point Reyes State Marine Conservation Area

Bull kelp and giant kelp beach wrack. The Pt. Reyes peninsula and surrounding waters are also part of the Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve. photo © C. Wing, CC BY-NC 2.0

California mussels at Point Reyes SMR. photo © L. Zentall, CC-BY-NC 2.0

Aerial view of common murres at the Point Reyes headlands and offshore rocks, which provide breeding grounds for nine seabird species. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo

The best time of year to observe young elephant seals is between January and April. photo © S. Hayden, CC BY-NC 2.0

As one of the windiest places on the Pacific Coast, Point Reyes is quite literally breathtaking. But the rocky shores, sandy beaches, and other habitats found here do not merely provide majestic scenery; they also support a remarkable array of species.

Help Develop California’s Red Abalone Recovery Plan: Join the Community Working Group

Red abalone beneath a rocky ledge. CDFW photo by C. Juhasz

Red abalone at Schooner Gulch. CDFW photo by C. Juhasz

 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking individuals to join the Red Abalone Recovery Plan Community Working Group. Applications for serving on the Community Working Group must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024.

Marine Region’s 2023 By the Numbers Report Now Available

The 2023 By the Numbers report is now available for your reading pleasure. The By the Numbers report summarizes some of the most important commercial and recreational fishing statistics from the past year, for your easy review. It also includes a condensed summary of 2023 Marine Region accomplishments.

2023 was a year of high-highs and unfortunately low-lows, but Marine Region staff worked hard to ensure California’s marine fisheries and ecosystems

CDFW Seeks Public Input on Pacific Halibut Sport Fishing Season

CDFW staff measures Pacific halibut. CDFW photo

NOTE: The survey is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) would like to hear your preferences for California’s 2024 Pacific halibut sport fishing season. Anglers and fishery stakeholders can submit their preferences for open fishing dates via an online survey through February 21, 2024. The survey takes approximately two minutes to complete.

Survey results will be used to develop CDFW’s recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service for the 2024

CDFW Proposes Changes to Open Commercial Nearshore Groundfish Fishery

A male kelp greenling swims above a rocky reef off California. The kelp greenling is one of many commercial nearshore species.
CDFW photo by MARE

On January 26, 2024 the California Department of Fish and Wildlife proposed emergency changes for commercial groundfish fishing regulations. The changes would