This layer is intended to represent the geographic extent of NOAA Fisheries’ California Current Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey. The California Current Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey started in 1991 and is led by NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center. This survey includes ship-, aerial-, and land-based surveys of marine mammals throughout the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem. Survey data have been used to estimate cetacean population size and trends, delineate cetacean population stock structure, describe cetacean and seabird distributions and hotspots, develop species distribution models, and inform marine mammal stock assessment reports pursuant to statutory requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Research vessels conduct line-transect surveys, typically every three years, in summer and fall and span waters out 300 nautical miles offshore, from the US-Canada to US-Mexico border. NOAA research vessels (David Starr Jordan, McArthur, McArthur II, Reuben Lasker, Bell M. Shimada) collect visual sightings data for cetaceans and seabirds, passive acoustic (e.g., towed or drifting array) data for cetaceans, tissue biopsy sampling used for genetics analysis, and oceanographic sampling.

This dataset depicts the boundaries of the Newport Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) off central Oregon.https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-660.70 (50 CFR 660.70)https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-660/subpart-C/section-660.70#p-660.70(h)

This geodatabase contains spatial data for NOAA's West Coast Region (WCR) Groundfish Conservation Areas (GCA). GCA's are conservation areas created or modified and enforced to control catch of groundfish or protected species (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-660/subpart-C/section-660.11).The geodatabase contains the following feature datasets, each containing feature classes that depict the spatial representation of a GCA:YRCA - Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation AreasGEA -Groundfish Exclusion AreasCCA - Cowcod Conservation AreasRCA - Rockfish Conservation AreasWithin each feature dataset, the feature class naming convention reflects the 1) type of area (YRCA, GEA, CCA, or RCA), 2) the name of the area and 3) the date (YYYYMMDD) that the conservation area was published in the Federal Register (FR). For example GEA_Potato_Bank_20231201Version 1 Last Update: 12/2024

FY20 will mark the 23nd year of sampling, making the Juvenile Salmon and Ocean Ecosystem Survey (JSOES) the longest running salmon survey on the west coast. JSOES has clearly demonstrated correlations between ocean conditions and the distribution, abundance, and survival of juvenile Columbia River (CR) salmon in the Northern California Current (NCC) nearshore ecosystem. For example, our ocean indicators provide managers from the federal and state governments, tribes, and other agencies/groups the ability to forecast adult returns one to two years in advance for coho and spring/summer Chinook salmon. We continue to show the importance of evaluating ocean conditions to support management decisions and to provide context for efforts by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC) and BPA to restore and enhance salmon production. The primary goal of our work is to develop a mechanistic understanding of how trophic dynamics and conditions in the ocean and CR plume affect survival of juvenile salmonids. This knowledge will allow us to improve forecasts in a quantitative rather than qualitative manner, and decouple the effects of mitigation efforts in the freshwater environment from the effects of a changing ocean environment. These improved forecasts will lead to well-informed recommendations for an ecosystem approach to management strategies based on the full suite of river, plume, and ocean environments. Nekton and juvenile salmon collections from surface trawl.

This dataset depicts the boundaries of the North Coast Commercial Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA). This is an area off the northern Washington coast, overlapping the northern part of North Coast Recreational YRCA, intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-660.70 (50 CFR 660.70)https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-660/subpart-C/section-660.70#p-660.70(c)

This spatial data depicts the boundaries of Groundfish Exclusion Areas (GEAs) located in the Southern California Bight.This feature class that contains all 8 of the GEAs combined. The GDB and feature class naming convention reflects the date (YYYYMMDD) that the GEAs were published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).These new Conservation Areas were were established in NOAA's Amendment 50 CFR Parts 300 and 660 [Docket No. 231117–0273] RIN 0648–BM28 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;"The Groundfish Exclusion Areas (GEAs) are eight areas south of Point Conception intended to protect sensitive areas, including areas with coral and sea pens."1. Hidden Reef2. West of Santa Barbara Island3. Potato Bank4. 107/118 Bank5. Cherry Bank6. Seamount 1097. 43- Fathom Spot8. Northeast Bankhttps://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-660/subpart-C/section-660.70#p-660.70(t)Federal Register/Vol. 88, No. 230/Friday, December 1, 202350 CFR Parts 300 and 660 [Docket No. 231117–0273] RIN 0648–BM28 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 32; Modifications to Non-Trawl Sector Area Management Measureshttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-12-01/pdf/2023-25905.pdfThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) proposed these closed areas with a goal of protecting corals, sponges and sea pens from contact with groundfish fishing gear, should the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) be repealed. https://www.pcouncil.org/documents/2022/03/f-6-a-cdfw-report-1-propose-protection-areas-within-the-cowcod-conservation-area.pdf/

Fishery Independent Survey System (FINSS) is a national system that characterizes NMFS ocean observation activities, stock and ecosystem data collections during fishery-independent surveys conducted by NMFS Science Centers.

The California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (CCIEA) is a joint project between staff at the NWFSC, SWFSC, NMML, ONMS, and WCRO to provide managers and policy makers with integrated science products in support of ecosystem-based management of marine resources. Key products include: conceptual models; ecosystem indicator suites, status and trend reports, and related analyses; risk assessments; and analyses of management scenarios in ecosystem models. Major clients include the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the West Coast Region, National Marine Sanctuaries along the West Coast, and the West Coast states. Data and model output gathered and generated by the California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment team.

This feature class depicts the boundaries of Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas as defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2023-2024 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments (89 FR 22342, April 1, 2024)https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/01/2024-06775/magnuson-stevens-act-provisions-fisheries-off-west-coast-states-pacific-coast-groundfish-fishery?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdeliveryThe following descriptions highlight the cumulative adjustments incorporated in this feature class:November 2023 Inseason ActionBetween 42 N. lat. and 36 N. lat., the Non-Trawl RCA shoreward boundary has been extended to the State/Federal boundary.The 100-150 fm lines around Santa Barbara Island, San Nicolas Island, and Cortes and Tanner Banks will be part of the Non-Trawl RCA.March 2024 Inseason Action Between 37° 07' N. lat. and 36° N. lat., the Non-Trawl RCA shoreward boundary has been changed from the State/Federal boundary to the 50 fm depth contour. The feature class naming convention reflects the date (YYYYMMDD) that the RCAs were published in the Federal Register (FR).

This spatial data depicts the boundary of the Northeast Bank Groundfish Exclusion Area (GEA) located in the Southern California Bight.The feature class naming convention reflects the date (YYYYMMDD) that the GEA was published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-660/subpart-C/section-660.70#p-660.70(t)Federal Register/Vol. 88, No. 230/Friday, December 1, 202350 CFR Parts 300 and 660 [Docket No. 231117–0273] RIN 0648–BM28 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 32; Modifications to Non-Trawl Sector Area Management Measureshttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-12-01/pdf/2023-25905.pdfThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) proposed these closed areas with a goal of protecting corals, sponges and sea pens from contact with groundfish fishing gear, should the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) be repealed. https://www.pcouncil.org/documents/2022/03/f-6-a-cdfw-report-1-propose-protection-areas-within-the-cowcod-conservation-area.pdf/