Commercial fisheries are an important part of California's economy. In 2011, approximately $201 million dollars in ex-vessel revenue (the amount paid directly to fishermen) came from commercial fishery landings, and more than 120,000 jobs on and off the water were supported by the state's seafood industry (NOAA 2011). Fishing communities from Crescent City in the north to San Diego in the south are centers of this activity, providing a diverse supply of seafood and a visible reminder of California's maritime heritage.
Fisheries are complex and dynamic systems, where people and nature are inextricably linked. While we cannot address all aspects of California fisheries here, this website provides information and insight to enhance understanding of how they work. We encourage you to visit other sources, including those listed throughout the website, as they provide information that complements the material presented here. Note that we use the term fish to refer to all types of finfish (e.g., salmon), shellfish (e.g., crab) and other invertebrate species (e.g., squid) that are caught in California.
This website provides information about key features of California's commercial fisheries statewide and by region including:
