Since 1980, the Western Groundfish Conference (WGC) has been a forum to review current research and management concerning groundfish resources in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Participants commonly represent state and national fisheries resource agencies, universities, non-governmental organizations, and stakeholder groups. It is the only meeting of its kind on the West Coast and provides a unique opportunity for these individuals to interact with colleagues and present research in the fields of groundfish biology, assessment, conservation, monitoring, and management.

The four-day program will cover an array of topics including and not limited to:

  • Bycatch reduction,
  • Emergent technologies (e.g., eDNA),
  • Life history and ecosystem processes,
  • Habitat and distribution,
  • Stock assessment and fishery monitoring
  • Survey methods and fisheries management,
  • Effects of climate change,
  • Social and community impacts, and
  • The effects of COVID-19 on groundfish research and management.