California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program (CCFRP)

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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.

09/03/2026

Today the fish were biting, and then biting again! The first day this week of fishing from the with Captain Melynda and Deckhand Mike was completed by the Moss Landing Marine Labs crew; sampling Año Nuevo State Marine Reserve. The crew took advantage of the calm water and sunny weather, catching 324 fish from 15 different species!

The largest Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) caught today (751mm) first by angler Tim A. and handled by science crew Keeler N.

This fish look familiar? It should as this same lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) was caught (recaptured) on the next drift by Lead Field Technician Jake T. filling in for a volunteer angler and handled by science crew Sam P. Some fish never learn…

Not only did we catch Lingcod today, but also tons of rockfish! One of a whopping 14 Vermilion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus) was caught here by angler Larry C. and handled by science crew Neil E.

A staple for the Ano Nuevo reserve, the Moss Landing Marine Labs crew hauled in many Brown Rockfish (Sebastes auriculatus) today, like this one shown by science crew Keeler N. and reeled in Corinne C.

Matching science crew Maddie W.’s red sunglasses, this bright red Vermilion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus) was caught by angler Lino G.

Here Science Crew Neil E. shows off a humongous Yellowtail rockfish (Sebastes flavidus) caught up on the bow by angler Brian F.

Adding to the count of Vermilion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus) caught today, angler Logan O. reeled in this beauty, handled by science crew Maddie W.

08/15/2026

Final day this week for the Farallon islands, we will say Bro-catch-e-yo (Bocaccio) later to this awesome fishing location. For the third day this week, the Moss Landing Marine Labs crew braved the wind to trek out to the Farallon Islands to sample the State Marine Reserve’s reference cells. They were accompanied by Captain Jon and deckhand Rav aboard the Sea Wolf Sportfishing out of Emeryville. As the weather calmed down, the crew pulled in 528 fish throughout the day!

Pic 1: The first of the season for the Moss Landing crew, a birthday Boccaccio (Sebastes paucispinis) was pulled in my angler Oren B who was celebrating his birthday with us aboard the Sea Wolf! (Everyone wish Oren a happy birthday). Science crew Caroline D had easy holding this fish by its massive lip for our viewing pleasure.

Continuing the trend of large Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus), this monster was hauled in my angler Scott Y and presented carefully by science crew Keeler N.

Up on the bow angler Pat M managed to haul in this vibrant red Vermillion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus).

Angler Greg R. was hauling in a large diversity of species today, including this Copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) held by science crew Keeler N.

Previously we got to show a female of this sexually dimorphic fish species (meaning males and females look externally different). Now we get to show the other side! This male Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) was caught by angler Jason C. and held by science crew Maia E.

Angler Stanley S kept on trend with another Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) held by science crew Sam P. Lingcod do not have swim-bladders and therefore don’t suffer from barotrauma nor need to be descended. This is because they spend all of their time on the bottom of the seafloor and don’t need to equalize their buoyancy at a shallower depth!

Another Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) showing off the menacing mouth with the help of science crew Maia E’s handling. This fish was caught by angler Eddie G.

Matching with this scaleless fish, angler Greg R. reeled in a nice looking Cabazon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) held by science crew Caroline D.

08/13/2026

Yesterday the Moss Landing Marine Labs crew traveled to sample our second day in the Farallon Islands, fishing inside the State Marine Reserve. We caught a total of 276 fish, 39 of which were lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) aboard the F/V Sea Wolf with Captain Joe and deckhand Rav.

Pic 1: Looking to join the Blue Men Group after this, this Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) was the largest of the bunch today, measuring just over 800mm (31.5in). This blue fish was caught by angler Stanley S. and held by science crew Maddie W.

A staple of the Farallon Islands, science crew Keeler N. shows off a Quillback Rockfish (Sebastes maliger) caught by angler Jonathan P.

This Olive Rockfish (Sebastes serranoides) was caught by angler Spencer H. and held by science crew Maia E.

A combo of two popular music genres, this Rock Sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata) was caught by angler Chris L. and held by science crew Sam P.

Angler Gene D. contributed to the Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) party with this beautiful fish held by science crew Caroline D.

Angler Dave K. pulled in this colorful Cabazon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) held by science crew Keeler N. Did you know Cabazon’s have a second set of pharyngeal jaws that are spiked plates used to grind up shelled invertebrates they eat. You may hear them grinding these plates in anger when you pull them in!

Showing off a Farallon Islands classic, a Tuffed puffin (Fratercula cirrhata)!

08/06/2026

This day was spec-mackular! Yesterday the Moss Landing Marine Labs team sampled inside and outside the Point Lobos MPA with the help of Captain Andrew and deckhand Corey aboard the New Horizon through &Msportfishing. Throughout the day the crew and volunteer anglers caught 410 fish from 18 different species and tagging 119 of them!

This first photo is a staple of the Moss Landing crew, a Copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) was caught by angler Lauren S. (Right) and handled by science crew Keeler N. Supported by deckhand Corey (middle left) and boat dog Sandy (left).

Unusual for the Moss Landing crew, a total of 4 Mackerels were caught yesterday! 3 Jack Mackerels (Trachurus symmetricus) like the one featured here and one Pacific Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) were caught on the boat. This fish was caught by angler Aiden C. and handled by science crew Sam P. Despite their name, Jack Mackerels are actually in the Jack family and not in the Mackerel family (Scombridae) with the other mackerels are tunas.

We must be New Yorkers the way we love our Cabbies! This red Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) was caught by angler Lauren S. and handled by science crew Kerri J.

We can check this fish off the list! A nice China Rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus), easily distinguishable by their bright yellow check mark, was caught here by angler Stanley S. and handled by science crew Maia E.

Related to lingcod, this female kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) was caught by angler Mark A. and handled by science crew Maddie W. Did you know that kelp greenlings are sexually dimorphic? Meaning that males and females look distinctly different externally!

It might as well be Christmas in August with catches like this Treefish (Sebastes serriceps) made by angler John C. and handled by science crew Sam P.

Like a donut shop, angler John C. was pulling in all the Coppers with this beautiful Copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) being handled by science crew Kerri J.

Big fish are cool to show but all are equal datapoints! While science crew Neil E. was preparing to show off a large lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) caught by angler Mark A, he reeled in a Gopher Rockfish (Sebastes carnatus)

07/31/2026

Cal Poly SLO CCFRP opened the season early this month on 7/7/2026 and 7/8/2026 with trips to Piedras Blancas REF and MPA on board F/V Rita G. Captain DJ put us on the fish and Deckhand Aaron kept the deck running smoothly all day. Despite a bit of wind and wave action, the fish were biting! We caught a total of 674 fish, 256 fish from 16 species in the REF and 418 fish from 15 species in the MPA. Here are some of the best highlights of that week. Stay tuned to learn about all the trips that have been underway in July!

New Cal Poly SLO graduate student Ty T. shows off a beautiful Black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) caught by angler Roger Y. (7/7/26)

Science crew member Payton L. expertly handles this Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) caught by none other than Bob B. (7/7/26)

Volunteer angler Mike S. caught this sleek Olive rockfish (S. serranoides), which was identified, measured, and returned to the water by sci crew member Beth L. (7/7/26)

Doubles!! Nice Blue rockfish (S. mystinus) Roger Y.! Sci crew members Hunter W. and Griffin S. display these exemplary Blues caught on unbaited shrimp flies. (7/7/26)

Here David G. catches a Lingcod (O. elongatus) so large that he and Payton L. have to take a quick seat. (7/7/26)

Nice Starry rockfish (S. constellatus) Mark S.! Sci crew veteran Maddy Y. shows off her fish handling skills for this photo op. Starry rockfish have a beautiful, distinct white-flecked pattern on their flank making them easy to identify. (7/7/26)

Another shot of volunteer angler Mark S., this time with a cute Copper rockfish (S. caurinus) that he caught on a baited shrimp fly. Beth L. measured this Copper before releasing it (7/7/26)

Woah it’s a male Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus)! This fish was caught by volunteer angler Alfonso C., and measured by Hunter W. (7/7/26)

Angler Bill M. caught one of the largest Lingcod (O. elongatus) we have seen near the end of our first trip on an unbaited shrimp fly! Measuring in at 1010 mm (over 3 ft), it took two science crew and two measuring boards to gather information on this individual!

Made it through the first trip of the season!
PC: whitney uyeda

Vo

07/23/2026

Weather window and big fish?!? Now you’re speaking my ling-uage! Aboard the New Captain Pete with Captain Mike and deckhand Will, the Moss Landing Marine Labs crew took on the second day of Año Nuevo sampling, surveying inside the MPA all day. Despite the rough seas at the beginning of the day, the crew managed to catch 531 fish!

Pic 1: Closed mouths don’t get fed, and this lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) got the message! Held by science crew Keeler N and caught by angler Connie C.

Pic 2: What are the odds of this catch? Two in a Ver-million?? These Vermilion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus) were caught in quick succession! The first was caught by angler Tony C and held by angler Maia E (left) and the second was caught by angler Ben V and held by angler Neil E (right).

Pic 3: A rare find, today angler Connie C lures in a White Croaker! This ambitious fish (Genyonemus lineatus) was caught on a lingcod bar and shown off by science crew Caroline D.

Pic 4: Don’t call the coppers on us 👮‍♂️, we released this guy safely! This Copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) was hauled in by angler Eddie G and displayed angler Maddie W.

Pic 5: Someone rang the dinner bell, we were inundated with Lingcod today! This lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) was haled in by angler Tony C and muscled up by science crew Caroline D.

Pic 6: An Año Nuevo classic, this Brown Rockfish(Sebastes auriculatus) was caught by angler Linzi W and handled by science crew Keeler N.

Pic 7: ling-a-ding-ding! That dinner bell must still be ringing as angler Jeff R catches another Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) held by lead Technician Jake 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. 🐟 🎣 🐟

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.

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.

Address

8272 Moss Landing Road
Moss Landing, CA
95039

Telephone

+18317714479

Website

https://www.ccfrp.org/

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