latest news
New Collaboration Launches to Protect Whales and Support California’s Dungeness Crab Fishery
PCFFA has joined The Marine Mammal Center and The Nature Conservancy in the Dungeness Crab and Whale Conservation Collaborative, an effort to protect whales and keep California’s Dungeness crab fishery strong.
Fishing Communities Call for Clarity Before New Marine Closures Advance
A coalition of California commercial fishing organizations has formally called on the California Fish and Game Commission to clarify the standards, science, and process guiding the current wave of Marine Protected Area petitions before any new permanent fishing closures move forward.
Reporting Lost Gear
How to report potential lost fishing gear off the coast of California.
MPA Petitions Moving Through Regional Meetings
MPA petitions are moving through regional meetings along the California coast. PCFFA is engaged to ensure decisions about fishing closures are based on science, demonstrated need, and real impacts to fishing communities. The first regional meeting is 04/21 in San Mateo
COMMERCIAL SALMON SEASON 2026
The 2026 commercial salmon seasons are set. After three years of closure and a difficult Council process, California fishermen will be back on the water with limited but meaningful opportunity.
Fishermen help release 75,000 Smolt in Marin
Fishermen and hatchery staff came together in Marin County to release 75,000 salmon smolts as part of a long term effort to improve homing and reduce straying. This work reflects ongoing collaboration through the Bridge Group to support salmon recovery and future fishing opportunity.
The truth about alternative gear in the Dungeness Crab Fishery
Alternative gear is getting a lot of attention in the California crab fishery. Some of that attention reflects real progress. A lot of it misses how this fishery actually works. Here is where alternative gear fits and where it does not.
PCFFA Submits Comments on 2026 Salmon Season
PCFFA submitted comments on the proposed 2026 salmon season, pushing for practical actions to improve fishing opportunity after three years of full closure.
CDFW Commercial Renewal information
How to renew CDFW licenses if documentation renewal is delayed by government shut down.
Great news from Coleman National Fish Hatchery
Love seeing this report from Coleman National Fish Hatchery!
UPDATE ON CRAB SEASON
Three days into the delay, negotiations remain difficult due to a pending lawsuit brought by a fisherman against multiple California buyers and processors. Buyers are uncomfortable offering a price amid ongoing legal uncertainty, and fishermen are struggling to get to work without knowing what they will be paid.
Central California Crab Delay
California commercial Dungeness crab fishermen in the Central Management Area, which runs from the Sonoma County line to Monterey Bay, have agreed to delay the start of the 2025–26 season until a fair opening price is offered that is broadly available to the fleet. While state regulations allow fishermen to begin setting gear on January 2 and hauling crab on January 5, Dungeness crab will not be landed until a price agreement is reached.