Southwest Fisheries Science Center

Established in 1964 to study the sardine and tuna fisheries of the U.S. West Coast, we provide scientific information to support fisheries management and conserve protected species in the California Current, throughout the Pacific Ocean, and in the Southern Ocean off Antarctica.

Our scientists conduct marine biological, economic and oceanographic research, observations, and monitoring of living marine resources and their environment. We also conduct research on the impacts of environmental variability and climate change on marine ecosystems and on fishery and conservation socio-economics. We work with numerous partners and our NOAA Fisheries counterparts—the Northwest, Pacific Islands and Alaska Fisheries Science Centers and the West Coast Regional Office—provide sound science for national and international management decisions.