**Monterey Bay Northern Anchovy and Pacific Sardine Commercial Take Restrictions and Recreational Advisory in Place Due to Public Health Hazard**
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News Releases, 2022-Present
Monterey Bay Northern Anchovy and Pacific Sardine Commercial Take Restrictions and Recreational Advisory in Place Due to Public Health Hazard
- June 26, 2026
State health agencies determined that northern anchovy and Pacific sardine (PDF)(external link) recently sampled from Monterey Bay contained elevated levels of domoic acid and recommended a commercial fishery restriction and recreational health advisory in the bay for the take of anchovy and sardine for human consumption in the area.
Following this recommendation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Meghan Hertel has enacted a restriction for the commercial take of northern anchovy and Pacific sardine (PDF)(external link) for human consumption in the area south of Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37⁰ 11.000’ N. lat.) to a line due west from Point Lobos, Monterey County (36⁰ 31.461’ N. lat.). Commercial take of northern anchovy and Pacific sardine for bait use is allowed, though any anchovy or sardine sold as dead bait must be clearly labeled as not for human consumption or use in pet food.
The current fishery restrictions and advisory only apply to northern anchovy and Pacific sardine, which have been found to have high levels of domoic acid in samples. This restriction does not apply to other finfish (including salmon, rockfish, halibut, white seabass, yellowtail, tuna, and others). It is always recommended to consume only the cleaned, skinned, fillets of fish when there are restrictions or advisories for other species. Cooking methods that avoid combining the eaten portion with other body parts are also recommended. More information on current health advisories is available on the California Department of Public Health website(external link). For questions regarding sampling and testing programs, including current test results, contact the California Department of Public Health.
CDFW will continue to coordinate with the state health agencies, California Department of Public Health and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) to test domoic acid levels in northern anchovy and Pacific sardine as well as other fish species to determine when the commercial fishery restriction and recreational health advisory in Monterey Bay can safely be lifted. State and federal laws prohibit the commercial distribution of seafood products for human consumption above federal action levels.
Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by Pseudo-nitzschia, a naturally occurring single-celled marine alga, under certain ocean conditions. Domoic acid can accumulate in fish without the organism itself becoming ill. At low levels, domoic acid exposure can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness in humans. At higher levels, it can cause persistent short-term memory loss, seizures and can in some cases be fatal.
Information will be updated on CDFW’s fishery information and health advisories(external link) website.
To get the latest information on current fishing season closures related to domoic acid, call CDFW’s Domoic Acid Fishery Information Line at (831) 649-2883.
For the latest consumption warnings, call the California Department of Public Health’s Biotoxin Information Line at (510) 412-4643 or toll-free at (800) 553-4133.
Media Contacts:
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858
John Ugoretz, CDFW Marine Region, (562) 338-3068
Tagged: sardine anchovy marine restrictions Public Health Hazard fishing
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