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 this time of year, with swordfish sightings fading into last year’s stories. But this season, we are seeing conditions not experienced since 2016, with warm and calm seas extending into the winter months. These mild conditions give juvenile swordfish a chance to feed on the region’s rich resources.

While we’ve scaled back effort compared to previous months, the PIER team is still conducting field work offshore. We are also optimistic that the pulse of smaller fish that we’re seeing now could be a promising indicator for next year’s harvest.

Scott and Chugey affixing a satellite tag to the dorsal fin of a local swordfish

In other news
PIER’s electronic monitoring (EM) research, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), was recently highlighted by EM4Fish (link  https://em4.fish/).  The feature details PIER’s ongoing efforts to test and refine the use of cameras in the local fishery.

Looking Ahead
As spring approaches, the team is collaborating with researchers in Baja California, Mexico, to finalize partnerships for upcoming sand bass tagging research. This international effort, supported by the Sportfishing Association of California, will kick off over the next few months. Stay tuned—it’s shaping up to be a busy and exciting spring!

PIER’s most seasoned employee, Cowboy, with a grumpy sandbass