Over the past 25 years, California’s fishing regulations have led to an inspiring revival of various game fish species, including sea bass and rockfish, allowing them to be fished sustainably once again.
These fish, collectively known as groundfish, faced significant depletion during the 1990s and early 2000s. Species such as ocean perch and bocaccio, which inhabit the ocean floor, were severely affected by bottom trawling techniques that not only depleted their populations but also damaged their natural habitats.
By the year 2000, the situation was so dire that it was classified as a “fisheries disaster.” At that time, fishery managers underestimated the slow growth rates, long lifespans, and vulnerability of groundfish to overfishing, leading to catch limits that were set excessively high.
In response to this alarming decline, a comprehensive range of measures was implemented to allow groundfish stocks the necessary time and environment to recover. According to California Curated, the initiative began with a buyback program for trawl vessels, investing approximately $46 million to compensate fishermen who had previously relied on trawlers to exploit the unsustainably high catch limits.
For the remaining quarter of trawlers post-buyback, the Trawl Catch Share Program was introduced, which required onboard observers to ensure compliance with historical catch quotas. Additional restrictions on trawling gear sizes and the introduction of bycatch-reducing devices followed, culminating in a near-total ban on trawling in most of California’s fisheries. Conservation areas were established for vital breeding habitats of rockfish and cowcod, and by 2011, the majority of over 90 managed groundfish stocks had begun to recover or were fully rebuilt, often ahead of initial projections.
While the yelloweye rockfish remains the only native gamefish in California that is still considered overfished, it is on track for recovery by 2029.
The Marine Stewardship Council has recognized many of these groundfish stocks for their sustainable management, indicating their potential for continuous growth while supporting the coastal communities of California.
Looking ahead, the NOAA will release its annual State of the Stocks report in spring 2024, which is expected to highlight that 94% of fish stocks in U.S. oceanic and Gulf waters are not being overfished. This marks an all-time high for sustainability, showcasing the remarkable efforts California has made in replenishing its groundfish populations.
