Marine Fisheries Statistical Unit (MFSU)

Overview

The Marine Fisheries Statistical Unit (MFSU) has been around in various forms since data was first gathered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in 1916. Through the years, data has been collected and stored on various platforms. Currently, the MFSU prints and distributes 16 different types of landing receipts to commercial fish dealers, and enters their reported data into our commercial fisheries database system. Annual statistics from these data are presented on our California Commercial Landings web page, going back to the year 2000. Data from 1969 through 1999 is available in select formats upon request. The MFSU also distributes commercial passenger fishing vessel (CPFV) logbooks to registered vessels. These data are also on our website back to the year 2000, with data from 1980 to 1999 available in select formats upon request. In July 2016, regulations were adopted that allowed for statewide implementation of electronic CPFV logs. CPFV owners can now submit electronic logbooks on the CDFW website. Although paper logs are still allowed, CDFW encourages all CPFV owners and operators to start using electronic logs.

Commercial Landings

• Procedures and Resources
• User Guide for Landing Receipt and Electronic Fish Ticket Submission (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Block Charts

Important Notice – Please Read this Letter and Summary describing changes in Fishing Block Charts starting January 1, 2025

Existing Charts - Discontinued after December 31, 2024

• Northern (PDF)
• Central (PDF)
• Southern (PDF)

New Charts - Effective on January 1, 2025

• Northern (PDF)
• Central (PDF)
• Southern (PDF)

Data Requests

• Data Request Form (PDF)(opens in new tab)

References

• California Commercial Landings
• Commercial Fish Business License Guide (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Fish Bulletins(opens in new tab)
• Marine Log System(opens in new tab)