Tom’s Update: August 2026
PIER Heading to Morro Bay In the coming weeks the Malolo will be headed up to Morro Bay. With El Niño conditions bringing warmer-than-usual waters to Southern California, species like swordfish, bluefin tuna, and opah are pushing north into cooler, more productive waters. This is an exciting time to be heading to the Central Coast. The team will continue EFP testing while also working directly with local fishermen to outfit boats, test gear, and develop new markets. This work is made possible in part through support from the Builders Initiative and a recent award from the Morro Bay Community Quota Fund. Morro Bay has a long history...
Tom’s Update: July 2026
Sand Bass Tagging Project Underway PIER recently kicked off its Cali-Baja Sand Bass Tagging Project alongside the captain and crew of the Point Loma from Point Loma Sportfishing. The first day of fieldwork was a tremendous success, with the team deploying more than 375 tags on barred sand bass. This collaborative research is designed to better understand the transboundary movements of sand bass between California and Baja California, generating information that will help improve the management of this valuable coastal fishery. Additional tagging trips are planned over the coming months from above and below the border. In the meantime, if you catch a tagged Sand Bass, please report it on the...
Tom’s Update: May 2026
The PIER team recently published research focused on testing artificial baits in tuna fishing operations. The study was funded by the NOAA Bycatch Reduction and Engineering Program and worked with a very talented fishermen, and good friend, on Hawaii’s Big Island (Kenton Geer on the F/V Vicious Cycle). If you have time for some light reading please find details about the study here. Thanks to Kenton and his crew for all the hard work! The study was performed on the Cross Sea Mount – A very unique and awesome place to fish! [caption id="attachment_18759" align="aligncenter" width="853"] Captain Kenton aboard the FV Vicious Cycle and a...
Tom’s Update: May 2026
The PIER team recently published research focused on testing artificial baits in tuna fishing operations. The study was funded by the NOAA Bycatch Reduction and Engineering Program and worked with a very talented fishermen, and good friend, on Hawaii’s Big Island (Kenton Geer on the F/V Vicious Cycle). If you have time for some light reading please find details about the study here. Thanks to Kenton and his crew for all the hard work! The study was performed on the Cross Sea Mount – A very unique and awesome place to fish! [caption id="attachment_18759" align="aligncenter" width="853"] Captain Kenton aboard the FV Vicious Cycle and a...
Tom’s Update: May 2026
The PIER team recently published research focused on testing artificial baits in tuna fishing operations. The study was funded by the NOAA Bycatch Reduction and Engineering Program and worked with a very talented fishermen, and good friend, on Hawaii’s Big Island (Kenton Geer on the F/V Vicious Cycle). If you have time for some light reading please find details about the study here. Thanks to Kenton and his crew for all the hard work! The study was performed on the Cross Sea Mount – A very unique and awesome place to fish! In other News, PIER is gearing up to initiate its Mexico sand bass...
Tom’s Update: March 2026
PIER returns from the Sacramento Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting with great news! PIER received approval to expand its Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) activities this season, allowing greater flexibility to test and refine responsible fishing gear. PIER will continue developing and testing innovative ways to help keep our fish local! An exciting step forward for sustainable fisheries and the families who depend on them! Spring is here and PIER is ready to Kick Some Bass! Over the next two months PIER will launch an international sand bass tagging project that focuses on documenting cross-border movements. The work partners with SAC and will tag fish above and below the...
Tom’s Update: February 2026
PIER is celebrating a milestone! 2026 marks PIER’s 30th year in operation. What began as a vision has grown into a respectable research institution with over 30 years under its belt. We are deeply grateful for the support of our community and partners throughout this incredible journey. Even after three decades, our work is far from done! In fact, our mission is clearer than ever and we are very motivated to continue filling data gaps that support our fishing communities and improve local management. What’s happening at PIER in February The big news: swordfish are still present in our local waters! Normally, offshore conditions are cold and rough...
Help Keep Our Ocean Communities Thriving, Please Think of PIER this Giving Tuesday
On this Giving Tuesday, we’re reminded of how blessed we are to be part of a community that is committed to finding real solutions to strengthen our fisheries and protect the livelihoods tied to them. Thank you to all who have supported us in the past—your belief in PIER research continues to make a meaningful difference. Our mission at PIER supports everyone who values our ocean resources—including commercial and recreational fishermen, as well as those that love and enjoy all that the sea provides. As we look back on the year, we’re reminded how much this community means to us. Please consider choosing PIER as your...
Tom’s Update November 2025: Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays! At PIER, we are deeply grateful for everyone who continues to support our mission. To those who have already helped us, we are truly indebted. And if you’re considering getting involved, we warmly invite you to learn more about us. Recent News: PIER works with the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) to expand its exempted testing platform. [caption id="attachment_18703" align="aligncenter" width="975"] Costa Mesa Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting on 11/17/2025[/caption] At the scheduled November meeting, PIER presented two additional proposals to the PFMC aimed at expanding fishing effort and gear testing along the California Coast. We’re pleased to share that the Pacific Council reviewed both proposals...
Tom’s Update October 2025: Highlighting Ongoing PIER Research
Tag Recapture! One of the swordfish that PIER tagged was recently recaptured by one of our local swordfish fishermen, Kent Jacobs on the Patricia J. The best thing about a tag recapture is the data! When PIER gets a tag return, we are able to download the full archived dataset, which tells us the exact depth and temperature of the fish over the entire track period. These data are extremely useful for designing fishing gear, increasing gear selectivity and understanding how swordfish use the waters off Southern California. About 15% of the tags that PIER deploys on swordfish are recaptured. From the most recent tag we observed...