California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program (CCFRP)

California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program (CCFRP) CCFRP conducts a catch and release fishing program to evaluate the efficacy of Marine Protected Areas

The California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program (CCFRP) is a community-based science program involving researchers from six California universities, the captains and crew of 36 sportfishing vessels, more than 1,800 volunteer anglers, and partnerships with conservation and resource management agencies. By combining the expertise and ideas of a diverse group, we have successfully established

protocols to evaluate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), the status of nearshore fish stocks, and how climate change is impacting marine resources in California.

(Part 2) Piedras Blancas MPA - 8/6/2025 - Same trip, same crew — Captain Brad, Deckhand Chase, and the BIGGEST LING of t...
12/29/2025

(Part 2) Piedras Blancas MPA - 8/6/2025 - Same trip, same crew — Captain Brad, Deckhand Chase, and the BIGGEST LING of the CCFRP sampling season.‼️🤯🎣

You already know the stats: 405 fishes, 13 species.

And now, the moment y’all didn’t know you were waiting for: the BIGGEST LING of the CCFRP sampling season.

Photo 1: Science crew member Adam P. got to hold and measure one of the biggest Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) that we saw ALL SEASON! Caught by volunteer angler Mark S., this female measured in at 910 mm -that’s almost three feet long!. She was tagged and released – hopefully we’ll see her again in the coming years.

Photo 2. Science crew member Kelsi T. holds up two cleanly caught rockfish by volunteer angler Don S. Kelsi says it’s a great feeling holding a large Olive Rockfish (S. serranoides) in your right hand and a Blue Rockfish (S. mystinus) in your left.

Photo 3: Science crew member Skylar C. holds up volunteer angler Tammy H.’s beautifully caught Ocean Whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps). We don’t see many of these mostly-southern species hanging around the central coast, so this was a special treat for all on board.

Photo 4: Science crew member Adam P. giving us a look at volunteer angler Mark G.’s beautifully caught Bocaccio (S. Paucispinis)

Photo 5: Science crew member Kelsi T. shows off volunteer angler Pat C.’s Vermilion Rockfish (S. miniatus).

Photo 6: Science crew members Maddy Y. (left) and Karissa G. (right) flex volunteer angler Duane G.’s Gopher Rockfish (S. carnatus) and Vermilion Rockfish (S. miniatus).

Photo 7: Closing out the day's photo share with a beauty, a Copper Rockfish (S. caurinus), caught by volunteer angler Mark S. and displayed by science crew member Kelsi T. Just one of many from a memorable day. 🐟 🎣 🐟

(Part 1) of an 8/6/25 survey day recap so good we had to split it in two… ✌️‼️⚓️Our CCFRP Science Crew teamed up with Ca...
12/23/2025

(Part 1) of an 8/6/25 survey day recap so good we had to split it in two… ✌️‼️⚓️
Our CCFRP Science Crew teamed up with Captain Brad and Deckhand Chase on the Endeavor at the Piedras Blancas MPA, reeling in 405 fishes from 13 species. Take a look at our highlights! 🐟 🎣 🛥️

Photo 1: Science crew member Adam P. holds up volunteer angler Tammy H.'s beautifully marked male Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) before release. Did you know this species is sexually dimorphic? Males are olive-brown with beautiful sky blue spots around the face and dorsal surface and females are typically a grey color with uniform red-brown or golden speckles and brighter colored fins.

Photo 2: Volunteer angler Mark S. had a stellar day on the water—reeling in this huge Copper Rockfish (Sebastes caurinus), held by science crew member Kelsi T., not long after landing one of the biggest lingcods we’ve seen all season (stay tuned for part 2).

Photo 3: Science crew member Skylar C. shows off Tammy H.’s vibrant Vermilion Rockfish (S. miniatus).

Photo 4: Science crew member Kelsi T. giving you a look at volunteer angler Tim T.’s Lingcod (O. elongatus). Bonus points for Tim being matchy-matchy with his catch.

Photo 5: Science crew member Adam P. giving us a look at James T.’s pumpkin colored Vermilion Rockfish (S. miniatus).

Photo 6: Science crew member Hunter W. showing off Don S’s Vermilion Rockfish (S. miniatus). Booyah! What a day.

Booyah! What a day for Cal Poly SLO’s CCFRP!‼️🐟Out on the water on 8/5/25 at the Piedras Blancas REF aboard the Avenger ...
12/17/2025

Booyah! What a day for Cal Poly SLO’s CCFRP!‼️🐟
Out on the water on 8/5/25 at the Piedras Blancas REF aboard the Avenger with Captain Brad and Deckhand Manny. 🛥️🎣

We caught a fun mix of rockfish – catching 174 fishes from 9 different species. Here are some of the day’s highlights! →❤️‍🔥

Photo 1: Science crew member Helen L. holding a HEFTY Olive Rockfish (S. serranoides) caught by angler Mark S. Check out the damage to its upper caudal fin – likely the result of a failed predation attempt.

Photo 2: Science crew member Sasha E. highlights angler Duane G.’s striking Treefish (Sebastes serriceps) – a species known for its bold banding and habitat preference for high-relief rocky structure.

Photo 3: Science crew member Helen L. holding up a Kelp Rockfish (S. atrovirens) caught by angler Bob B.

Photo 4: Science crew member Sophia C. displays angler Tim T.’s beautiful Vermilion Rockfish (S. miniatus). What a catch!

Photo 5: Science crew member Sophia C. gives us a good look at angler Steve S.’s Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus).

Photo 6: We always love to highlight the Cal Poly SLO school fish - the infamous Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) caught by long-time volunteer angler David K. and measured by science crew member Adam P.

Photo 7: Another nice Vermilion rockfish (S. miniatus) caught by none other than volunteer angler Bill M. and identified by science crew member Sasha E. We wouldn’t expect anything less from this dynamic duo.

Photo 8: It was a day for lunker Olives (S. serranoides). Here’s another big one caught by volunteer angler Tito A. and held by science crew member Sophia C.

After a little hiatus, we’re back to share some great info and pictures of the last few trips of the Cal Poly SLO CCFRP ...
11/21/2025

After a little hiatus, we’re back to share some great info and pictures of the last few trips of the Cal Poly SLO CCFRP season. 🎣🔥

Cal Poly SLO’s CCFRP science crew hit the water on 7/30/25 at the Point Buchon MPA aboard the F/V Flying Fish with Captain Wayne & Deckhand Westin. The results? 484 fish, 15 species….🫨‼️

Swipe —> to see the day’s rock(fish) stars 😎🐠

Photo 1: Science crew member Karissa G. showing off angler Kelley M.’s giant cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus)

Photo 2: Science crew member Karissa G. made the rest of the team jealous by handling the biggest fish of the trip. Here she holds up a massive Copper Rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) hauled up by angler David K. Fun fact: we have TWO David K.’s this season.

Photo 3: Science crew member Helen L. holding up a Vermilion Rockfish (S. miniatus) caught by angler Mary S. Did you know that Vermilion Rockfish can live 60+ years?

Photo 4: Science crew member Adam P. displays the elusive Treefish (S. serriceps) hauled up by angler Jeff B. – who’s just happy Adam didn’t try to match its lipstick shade again.

Photo 5: science crew members Forrest P. and Adam P. holding up two beautiful Vermilion Rockfish (S. miniatus), hauled up by Deckhand Westin in one drop. The fish fear him, and we respect him.

Photo 6: Science crew member Maddy Y. displaying another beautiful Vermilion Rockfish (S. miniatus) hauled up by Angler Kelley M.

Photo 7: Science crew member Forrest P. is back again to help angler David K. with his Olive Rockfish (S. serranoides). No, it didn’t come from a jar.

Photo 8: Science crew member Helen L. shows off angler Kelley M.’s stunning Copper Rockfish (S. caurinus)

Well, folks, another lovely sampling season has come and gone - and while MLML and Cal Poly SLO have been busy arguing o...
11/06/2025

Well, folks, another lovely sampling season has come and gone - and while MLML and Cal Poly SLO have been busy arguing over who caught the smallest Blue Rockfish (Sebastes mystinus), UCSB CCFRP performed a full season of epic sampling inside and outside of both Carrington Point SMR (Santa Rosa Island) and Anacapa Island SMR/SMCA.

Across our 11 sampling days on the water this year, you all helped us catch and release 4266 fishes from over 35 different species. Please enjoy some of our favorite catches of the year below!

09/18/2025

The Humboldt CCFRP is making waves on the North Coast, check it out!

Red fish, brown fish, round fish, ground fish! The team took to their last day at the Farallon Islands reference day to...
09/12/2025

Red fish, brown fish, round fish, ground fish! The team took to their last day at the Farallon Islands reference day today about the F/V Sea Wolf with Captain Joe out of Emeryville, CA. We caught 321 fish. 3-2-1 LETS GO!

Pic 1: What this massive Vermilion rockfish (Sebastes miniatus) lacks in dorsal spines, he makes up for in size and spirit! This RED FISH was caught by angler Les O. and handled by science crew Kelsey M.

Pic 2: Change of pace and colors as this BROWN FISH was caught by angler Dave K. and handled by science crew Sam P. The toothy smile belonged to a Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus).

Pic 3: Following the theme of fish that lack swim bladders, this ROUND FISH (a Cabezon - Scorpanichthys marmoratus) was caught by angler Eddie G. and cradled by science crew Jonah G.

Pic 4: Back on track within the genus Sebastes, this GROUND FISH was handled by science crew Sebastian C. and caught by angler Scotty Y. This one in particular was a beautiful Starry rockfish (S. constalatus).

Pic 5: A final ground fish for now, a Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) was caught by angler Eddie G. and displayed by science crew Sam P.

Today we were IN-N-OUT of the MPA with DOUBLE-DOUBLE Cabezon and Lingcod casts!The team took their second day on the Fa...
09/11/2025

Today we were IN-N-OUT of the MPA with DOUBLE-DOUBLE Cabezon and Lingcod casts!
The team took their second day on the Farallon Islands trip by storm, catching 312 fish and over 40 Lingcod (most this season for Moss Landing) in a half MPA, half reference area day aboard the Sea Wolf out of Emeryville.

Pic 1: Angler Bill D. managed to flag down two Cabs (Scorpanichthys marmoratus) on the same cast! These were handled by science crew members Sebastian C. (left) and Keeler N. (right).

Pic 2: Not to be outdone, angler Eddie G. managed to wrangle in 2 Lingcod (Ophiodon elongotus) on the same cast (his second of the day!) these were handled by science crew members Jonah G. (left) and Sammy P. (right).

Pic 3: The largest Copper rockfish (Sebastes carinus) of the day towered in front of the Farallon Islands at a whopping 50+ centimeters! This was caught by angler Lester Y. and handled by science crew Kelsey M.

Pic 4: Lead field tech Jake T. shows us how it’s done holding this Vermillion rockfish (Sebastes miniatus) caught by angler Brandi C.

Pic 5: One of two female kelp greenlings (hexagrammus decagrammus) was caught today by angler Mark M. and held by science crew member Sam P. Fun fact: kelp greenlings are sexually dimorphic, meaning the males and females have completely different color patterns

They call them Quillbacks but this guy ain’t gettin his tail back!Yesterday’s CCFRP trip was the first of this week’s Fa...
09/11/2025

They call them Quillbacks but this guy ain’t gettin his tail back!
Yesterday’s CCFRP trip was the first of this week’s Farallon Islands trip on the F/V Sea Wolf out of Emeryville for the crew. This whole MPA sampling day yielded 345 total fish.

Pic 1: This Quillback (Sebastes maliger) may have 13 spines but also 9 lives! Completely missing a caudal fin, science crew member Kelsey M. used standard length to measure this fish.

Pic 2: For reference, this is what a normal Quillback (S. Maliger) looks like held by science crew Sebastian C. and caught by angler Eddie G.

Pic 3: Former CCFRP science crew and volunteer angler Jackie M. helped haul in this Copper rockfish (S. carinus) held by science crew Kate R.

Pic 4: The largest of two flat fish caught today, this rock sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata) was caught by angler Eugene D. and held by science crew Kelsey M.

Pic 5: Someone call for a Cab? One of two Cabezons (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) was caught by angler Susan A. of the CA Fish and Game commission and held by science crew Sam P.

Pic 6: This large mouthed fish, a Bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis), was held by science crew Sebastian C. and caught by angler Shawn

The sun was shining but we were still feeling the blues! Bodega CCFRP voyaged out yet again to Stewart’s Point on July 2...
08/27/2025

The sun was shining but we were still feeling the blues! Bodega CCFRP voyaged out yet again to Stewart’s Point on July 28th and caught some behemoth fish!

Picture 1: Science Crew member and team lead Jordan C. with a monstrous Lingcod (O. elongatus)
Picture 2: Science Crew member Sawyer D. holds out a massive Yelloweye rockfish (S. ruberrimus)
Picture 3: Science Crew member Dylan L. with ANOTHER Yelloweye rockfish (S. ruberrimus)
Picture 4: Science Crew member Alex R. holds the BML CCFRP mascot, a China rockfish (S. nebulosus)
Picture 5: Science Crew member Theo K. with a Copper rockfish (S. caurinus)
Picture 6: Science Crew member Jordan C. with a Vermillion rockfish (S. miniatus)

On July 16th, Bodega CCFRP went into their backyard and caught some big fish! A total 189 fish were caught in Bodega wit...
08/26/2025

On July 16th, Bodega CCFRP went into their backyard and caught some big fish! A total 189 fish were caught in Bodega with some brand new anglers!

Picture 1: Science Crew member Dylan L. with a Brown rockfish (S. auriculatus) and Science Crew member Tori D. with a Gopher rockfish (S. carnatus)
Picture 2: Science Crew member Alex R. presenting a Canary rockfish (S. pinniger) to the camera
Picture 3: Science Crew member Sawyer D. holding a big Copper rockfish (S. caurinus)
Picture 4: Science Crew member Alex R. with a Vermillion rockfish (S. miniatus)
Picture 5: Science Crew member Alex R. holding a small male Kelp greenling (H. decagrammus)

Welcome aboard the Flying Fish, with Captain Wayne and Deckhand Westin on July 29, 2025! 🛥️ Cal Poly SLO’s science crew ...
08/26/2025

Welcome aboard the Flying Fish, with Captain Wayne and Deckhand Westin on July 29, 2025! 🛥️ Cal Poly SLO’s science crew encountered 9 different species while hauling up 179 fish from the Point Buchon Reference site (REF). 🎣

Now, we don’t play favorites… but let’s be honest — here are some of our favorites from the day:

Photo 1: Science crew member Hunter W. hits his first pose on the runway, perfectly coordinated with Whitney U’s Vermilion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus), sparking heated debate on who wore it better. - Fashion fish week is officially underway.

Photo 2: Science crew member Kelsi T. displays a Black Rockfish, (S. melanops), expertly caught by angler Bill M. – who, armed with a lifetime of experience and the best tool belt in town, helped it fully understand what being a “fish out of water” truly means.

Photo: 3 Science crew member Adam P. displays a massive Blue Rockfish (S. mystinus) hauled up by angler Mary S.– Note it’s unusual Black and orange coloring and… Oh, excuse me, that's just Adam.

Photo 4: Science crew member Kelsi T. gets down on one knee with a sea cucumber (Apostichopus californicus) muscled up by angler Whitney U. Why? Because while some girls like big rocks others prefer gelatinous benthic organisms. Just ask Erin Johnston.

Photo 5: Science crew member Karissa G. holds up a beautiful Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) and CPs SCHOOL FISH!! Expertly hauled up by angler Eddie G.

Photo 6: Science crew member Karissa G. holds up angler Don K.’s Black Rockfish (S. melanops). This species hasn’t shown up much this year for the CP SLO’s CCFRP team, making it an exciting and noteworthy catch for both the science crew and anglers aboard the Flying Fish.

Everyone, take a moment to wave back to Don — he’s earned it.


Address

8272 Moss Landing Road
Moss Landing, CA
95039

Telephone

+18317714479

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