Marine Recreational Fisheries Program
Southwest Region

The focus of the Marine Recreational Fisheries Program of the Southwest Region is to promote the collection and use of data on marine angling in support of good resource management. Additional program initiatives include public education on marine conservation issues and angling ethics. The Southwest Region Saltwater Recreational Fishing Action Agenda is designed to help improve fishing opportunities and address recreational fishing priorities in the Southwest Region.

This web site includes various conservation education documents, data sources, and other information sources related to marine angling.

• What is Ethical Angling?
  • New Brochure (PDF)
  • Anglers Code (PDF)
• Catch and Release Best Practices (PDF)
• Seabird Protection and Avoidance (PDF)
• How to Reduce Hooking Mortality of Rockfish (PDF)
  • Tip #1 for Descending Rockfish (PDF)
  • Tip # 2 - Amazing Video about Rockfish Release Techniques (YouTube)
• Best Fishing Practices for Thresher Sharks (PDF)
• Circle Hook Information (PDF)
  English  Spanish
• Fish Identification Guides
• How to Identify Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead (PDF)
• Green and White Sturgeon Identification and much more
• Grant Information and Opportunities
• Albacore Tag Return Reward $500: Click on "Albacore." Go to "Research & Management". Click on "Archival Tagging of North Pacific Albacore" (Reward info is mid-page).
• NEW REGULATIONS for Lingcod and Rockfish for the Recreational Fishery
• Recreational Fisheries Data (L.A. Times)
• Report Availability Notice
• Seaweed Threatens California Marine Fisheries Habitats... click for more information.
• Video Availability Notice
• Deterrence of Pacific Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (PDF)

• Steelhead Trout Recovery:

  NOAA Fisheries partners to restore six miles of steelhead trout habitat:   Listen to Roy Torres, NOAA Fisheries Service Special Agent discuss project with Craig Hansen on “Outdoors” radio program at http://www.outdoors1050.com/archived_shows.html  [Click on the December 23, 2012 show - Interview begins at 35:25....(you can slide the player on the recording to that time...you don't have to wait for the time to pass)].  View video at: http://youtu.be/00O17tSE6Ak