Fishing Communities

• Crescent City

  The northernmost port in California, Crescent City suffered two major tsunamis in 1964 and 2011 that required rebuilding the harbor. Important fisheries include Dungeness crab, groundfish, salmon and pink shrimp.

• Eureka

  Located on California’s northern coast, Eureka is the only deep-water port between Coos Bay, Oregon, and San Francisco. Important fisheries include Dungeness crab, groundfish, salmon and pink shrimp.

• Fort Bragg

  Situated 150 miles north of San Francisco, Fort Bragg's port is called Noyo Harbor. Important fisheries include Dungeness crab, groundfish, salmon, red sea urchin and, more recently, hagfish.

• San Francisco

  The region’s most important port of entry and shipping port, San Francisco has a fishing industry established by diverse immigrant populations. Important fisheries include Dungeness crab, herring, groundfish, swordfish, salmon and market squid.

• Half Moon Bay

  Thirty miles south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay's harbor is located at Pillar Point. Important fisheries include Dungeness crab, groundfish, salmon and market squid.

• Moss Landing

  As its whaling industry died out, this port on Monterey Bay increasingly relied on the sardine fishery and canning industry. Today, important fisheries include market squid, coastal pelagic species, groundfish and salmon.

• Monterey

  Monterey was known as the “Sardine Capital of the World” until the fishery crashed in the 1950s. The port has been revitalized by a thriving tourism sector. Important fisheries include market squid, coastal pelagic species and spot prawn.

• Morro Bay

  A port on California’s central coast, Morro Bay gets its name from the iconic landmark Morro Rock that sits at the mouth of the bay. Important fisheries include Dungeness crab, groundfish, salmon and pink shrimp.

• Santa Barbara

  Santa Barbara lies 95 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Historically, it has been the leading port for the red sea urchin fishery, and other important fisheries include California spiny lobster, groundfish, and rock crab.

• Ventura

  Midway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, Ventura's harbor was built in the 1960s to support the area’s emerging squid fishery. Important fisheries now include market squid, California spiny lobster, and spot prawn.

• San Pedro

  Located on the southern coast of California, San Pedro has been the deep-water home to the Port of Los Angeles since 1899. Important fisheries include market squid, coastal pelagic species, and highly migratory species, primarily yellowfin and skipjack tuna.

• Dana Point

  Halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles, Dana Point has long been a popular beachgoing and fishing destination. Its manmade harbor was dedicated in 1971. Important fisheries include California spiny lobster, spot prawn, and rock crab.

• San Diego

  The southernmost port in California, San Diego was once known as the “tuna capital of the world," and it had a very active red sea urchin fishery. Now, important fisheries include highly migratory species (primarily swordfish), California spiny lobster, and spot prawn.