Groundfish Conservation Areas - Maps and GIS Data (West Coast Region)
Maps and GIS data for the West Coast Region’s Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas (YRCA), Groundfish Exclusion Areas (GEA), Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCA), Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCA), and Other Groundfish Conservation Areas (when applicable).
These maps and spatial data represent current groundfish conservation areas within NOAA’s West Coast Region (WCR).
All available groundfish conservation area spatial data can be downloaded as a file geodatabase (WCR_GCA.gdb). Metadata is populated in the geodatabase; it can also be viewed in the InPort metadata catalog.
For each groundfish conservation area GIS feature class, the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 660 ) should be consulted for the complete description of the conservation area. Official groundfish conservation area boundaries may include regulatory text that modifies or clarifies maps and spatial data. GIS data are considered to be an approximate representation and is not an official record for the exact regulated area boundaries.
For information on the official legal definition refer to the Code of Federal Regulations.
Contact: Keeley Kent, Branch Chief, West Coast Region, NMFS
Stephani Onisko, GIS, West Coast Region, NMFS
Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas
Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas (YRCA) are areas off the coast of Washington, Oregon and/or California intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. Text descriptions can be viewed in the electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) or the Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Federal Register (FR) document citations for designations are displayed at the end of each eCFR section. Spatial data for Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas (YRCA) can be downloaded as a feature dataset within the WCR Groundfish Conservation Area geodatabase. The geodatabase and static maps can be downloaded from the links above.
| Name | Regulatory citation |
| North coast recreational YRCA | eCFR §660.70(b) |
| North coast commercial YRCA | eCFR §660.70(c) |
| Salmon Troll YRCA | eCFR §660.70(d) |
| South coast recreational YRCA | eCFR §660.70(e) |
| Westport Offshore Recreational YRCA | eCFR §660.70(f) |
| Tillamook YRCA | eCFR §660.70(g) |
| Newport YRCA | eCFR §660.70(h) |
| Stonewall Bank YRCA | eCFR §660.70(i) |
| Stonewall Bank YRCA, Expansion 1 | eCFR §660.70(j) |
| Stonewall Bank YRCA, Expansion 2 | eCFR §660.70(k) |
| Florence YRCA | eCFR §660.70(l) |
| Heceta Bank YRCA | eCFR §660.70(m) |
| Point St. George YRCA | eCFR §660.70(n) |
| South Reef YRCA | eCFR §660.70(o) |
| Reading Rock YRCA | eCFR §660.70(p) |
| Point Delgada YRCA | eCFR §660.70(q) |
| Southern Point Delgada YRCA | eCFR §660.70(r) |
Groundfish Exclusion Areas
Groundfish Exclusion Areas (GEAs) are eight areas south of Point Conception, California intended to protect sensitive areas. These areas were reviewed and adopted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council in March 2023 under Alternative 3.Text descriptions can be viewed in the electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) or the Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Federal Register (FR) document citations for designations are displayed at the end of each eCFR section. Spatial data for Groundfish Exclusion Areas can be downloaded as a feature dataset within the WCR Groundfish Conservation Area geodatabase. The geodatabase and static maps can be downloaded from the links above.
| Name | Regulatory citation |
| Hidden Reef | eCFR §660.70(t)(1) |
| West of Santa Barbara Island | eCFR §660.70(t)(2) |
| Potato Bank | eCFR §660.70(t)(3) |
| 107/118 Bank | eCFR §660.70(t)(4) |
| Cherry Bank | eCFR §660.70(t)(5) |
| Seamount 109 | eCFR §660.70(t)(6) |
| 43-Fathom Spot | eCFR §660.70(t)(7) |
| Northeast Bank | eCFR §660.70(t)(8) |
Rockfish Conservation Areas
Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) are closed areas in the ocean that are intended to protect rockfish populations by minimizing incidental catch and providing a place for them to rebuild.Text descriptions can be viewed in the electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) or the Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Federal Register (FR) document citations for designations are displayed at the end of each eCFR section. Spatial data for Rockfish Conservation Areas can be downloaded as a feature dataset within the WCR Groundfish Conservation Area geodatabase. The geodatabase and static maps can be downloaded from the links above.
| Name | Regulatory citation |
| Trawl RCA | Table 1 (North) to Part 660, Subpart D, Title 50 |
| Non-Trawl RCA | Management Measures for Commercial Fixed Gear, LE and OA Fisheries Non-Trawl RCA Table 1 b |
Cowcod Conservation Areas
Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) are closed areas in the ocean that are intended to protect rockfish populations by minimizing incidental catch and providing a place for them to rebuild.Text descriptions can be viewed in the electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) or the Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Federal Register (FR) document citations for designations are displayed at the end of each eCFR section. Spatial data for Cowcod Conservation Areas can be downloaded as a feature dataset within the WCR Groundfish Conservation Area geodatabase. The geodatabase and static maps can be downloaded from the links above.
| Name | Regulatory citation |
| Western CCA | 50 CFR 660.70(s)(1) |
| Western Transit Corridor CCA | 50 CFR 660.70(s)(2) |
| Eastern CCA | 50 CFR 660.70(s)(3) |
Other Groundfish Conservation Areas
Other Groundfish Conservation Areas are closed areas in the ocean that are intended to protect groundfish populations. Text descriptions can be viewed in the electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) or the Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Federal Register (FR) document citations for designations are displayed at the end of each eCFR section. Spatial data for Other Groundfish Conservation Areas can be downloaded as a feature dataset within the WCR Groundfish Conservation Area geodatabase. The geodatabase and static maps can be downloaded from the links above.
| Name | Regulatory citation |
| Cordell Bank | 50 CFR 660.70(v) |