Concerns over sardine specifications for 2024 and 2025 dominated discussions at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting on April 13, 2025. Stakeholders expressed disappointment that NOAA did not amend its proposals despite a court order highlighting legal issues with the current specifications. The council criticized the continued reliance on the CALCOFFE index, which the court found to overestimate overfishing limits, calling for the exploration of alternative methods to assess sardine stocks.

The meeting also highlighted alarming findings from recent surveys, revealing unexpectedly low biomass levels for the northern subpopulation of Northern Anchovy and Pacific mackerel off the coasts of Oregon and Washington. Participants raised concerns about the lack of a formal council process to address these red flags, emphasizing the need for a more responsive management strategy.

Additionally, the council acknowledged the value of ongoing scientific research, particularly the acoustic trawl surveys, which are deemed the best available science for guiding annual management decisions. There is hope that the upcoming 2026 review of integrated surveys will provide clearer guidance on how to operationalize these findings effectively.

The discussions underscored a critical need for improved collaboration between scientific assessments and management practices to ensure sustainable fishery practices while addressing the challenges posed by climate change and resource limitations. As the council moves forward, stakeholders remain optimistic about finding solutions that balance ecological health with fishing industry needs.