The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) convened on April 13, 2025, for the third day of its April meeting, focusing on critical updates regarding coastal pelagic species (CPS) and their management. The discussions highlighted the urgency of upcoming deadlines for harvest specifications and assessments, particularly concerning Pacific sardine and Pacific mackerel.

A key point of discussion was the impending deadline of May 11 for a plan that requires council approval. This plan is crucial for meeting both court mandates and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act timelines. The council acknowledged the complexities involved in finalizing harvest specifications, especially given the recent interim specifications that delayed the final rule's publication until late November 2024.

Dr. Annie Yao, director of the Fisheries Resources Division at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, provided an update on the CPS research. She outlined the assessment schedule for Pacific sardine and Pacific mackerel, noting that the Pacific sardine benchmark assessment would not occur in 2026 as previously planned. Instead, the focus will shift to a methods review for the Integrated West Coast Pelagic Survey, which is set to operate in a new format starting in summer 2025.

The council reviewed biomass estimates for both species, with Pacific mackerel projected at 67,954 metric tons for the 2025-2026 fishing year and Pacific sardine at 30,158 metric tons. These figures reflect ongoing research into environmental influences on recruitment, particularly concerning the relationship between sea surface temperatures and sardine populations.

In addition to the assessments, the council discussed the integration of survey methodologies, including the use of a new multifunction trawl net designed to enhance data collection efficiency. This transition aims to improve the accuracy of biomass estimates and support better management decisions.

The meeting also touched on the genetic research being conducted on Pacific sardine populations, which has shown no significant genetic differences across a wide geographic range from Oregon to the Gulf of California. This finding is crucial for understanding stock structure and management strategies.

As the council concluded its discussions, it emphasized the importance of collaboration with industry partners and the need for ongoing research to adapt to changing environmental conditions. The next steps will involve finalizing the harvest specifications and preparing for the upcoming assessments, ensuring that the management of these vital fish stocks remains responsive to both ecological and regulatory demands.