Marine Region

Marine Region Mission: To protect, maintain, enhance, and restore California's marine ecosystems for their ecological values and their use and enjoyment by the public through good science and effective communication.

Going Ocean Fishing?

Sport Fishermen, check out our easy-to-use California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Map. Simply click the portion of the California coast where you plan to fish, and you will access a summary of current Sport Fishing Regulations for that area.

Learn more about this 21 pound 5 ounce Pacific bonito and other California record ocean sportfish.

 

Shellfish and Finfish Health Advisories

For warnings about consuming local shellfish or finfish, view the Health Advisories for California Finfish, Shellfish and Crustaceans web page.

 

Ocean Fishing Regulations

• 
  2011-2012 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Booklet
• 2011-2012 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Supplement
• Commercial Fishing Information
  • Groundfish Trip Limit Tables
• 2011-2012 In-Season Regulation Changes
• Marine Protected Area Information for Fishermen
• For Current Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations, call (831) 649-2801, or view a summary of current regulations.
• For Current Ocean Salmon Regulations, call (707) 576-3429, or view a summary of current regulations.

 

Marine Management News

Marine Management News is published by the Marine Region of the California Department of Fish and Game and is for everyone interested in the management and conservation of California's living marine resources.

• 
  Read the latest issue
• Sign up for a free online subscription to Marine Management News

 

California Fishing Passport

A new fishing incentive and recognition program to highlight and promote fishing throughout the state. Pick up your free copy of the California Fishing Passport book listing 150 different popular fresh and saltwater finfish and shellfish that occur throughout the state. Try to catch one of every species listed, and you will receive stamps in your passport book documenting each achievement.

 

Report lost fishing gear

Lost fishing gear - both commercial and recreational - sits on the seafloor, gets caught on rocks, and floats in the water column. Lost gear can remain in the marine environment for years, harming habitats and continuing to catch fish and invertebrates.

Please report sightings of lost recreational and commercial fishing gear. Anonymous reports are accepted.

1-888-491-GEAR or www.lostfishinggear.org

 

New Additions

• Marine & Coastal Map Viewer
  Posted 1/11/2012
• Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations for 2012
  Posted 1/3/2012
• 2011 Marine Invasive Species Report Identifies New Threats to California's Ecology
  Posted 12/30/2011
• Game Wardens Arrest Two Poaching Suspects in San Jose
  Posted 12/30/2011
• South Coast Marine Protected Areas Effective January 1
  Posted 12/16/2011
• Northern California Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Delayed
  Posted 12/12/2011
• South Coast Marine Protected Areas
  (includes maps and coordinates)
  Posted 12/9/2011
• Fishing for a Great Holiday Gift? Buy a 2012 License for Your Favorite Angler
  Posted 12/7/2011
• State-Managed California Commercial Pacific Herring Fishery
  Updated 11/14/2011
• Commercial Market Squid Fishery to Close Nov. 18
  Posted 11/10/2011
• DFG Scientists Join Team to Save Endangered Black Abalone
  Posted 11/7/2011
• California Recreational Dungeness Crab Season to Open Nov. 5
  Posted 11/3/2011
• Anglers Asked to Step Up Efforts to Conserve California Sturgeon
  Posted 10/28/2011
• Sport-harvested Mussel Quarantine Lifted Along California Coastline, Except Channel Islands Region
  (leads to California Department of Public Health Website)
  Posted 10/27/2011
• Carlsbad Area Lagoon Undergoing Habitat Restoration and Maintenance
  Posted 10/18/2011
• Marine Management News: October 2011 Issue
  Posted 10/14/2011
• Moss Landing Wildlife Area Subject to Partial Closure for Two Months
  Posted 10/13/2011
• Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan
  Sign up for the free Lobster FMP News Service
  Posted 10/12/2011
• Redondo Beach Lobster Poachers Get Pinched
  Posted 10/7/2011
• Abalone Fishery in Sonoma County Closed
  Posted 10/5/2011
• DFG Debuts New MPA Mobile Website
  Posted 9/29/2011
• Recreational Spiny Lobster Season Opens Saturday
  Posted 9/29/2011
• California Dungeness Crab Catch by Season, 1915-2011
  Posted 9/27/2011
• Final 2010 California Commercial Landings
  Posted 9/23/2011
• Fish and Game Commission Votes on New Effective Date for South Coast MPAs
  Posted 9/15/2011
• Fish and Game Commission Votes to Close Abalone Fishery in Sonoma County
  Posted 9/15/2011
• Closure of Abalone Fishery Under Consideration
  Posted 9/12/2011
• Controlled Levee Breach to Launch the Opening of 630 Acres to the Bay
  Posted 9/12/2011
• Ecosystem Restoration Program Grant Recipients Announced
  Posted 9/8/2011
• Southern California Halibut Stock Assessment Public Meetings
  Updated 9/8/2011
• Anglers Advised to Exercise Caution When Fishing Where Seabirds Feed
  Posted 9/2/2011
• Abalone Die-Off Observed in Sonoma County
  Posted 9/2/2011