Yelloweye Rockfish

The Puget Sound/Georgia Basin DPS of yelloweye rockfish in Washington State is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving and protecting the yelloweye rockfish. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study, learn more about, and protect this species.

Recovery Plan

This recovery plan outlines actions and research for the conservation and survival of threatened yelloweye rockfish and endangered bocaccio using the best available science per the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

• Yelloweye and Bocaccio Rockfish Recovery Plan
• Recovery Plan Fact Sheet & Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 4 pages)
• Remotely Operated Vehicle Surveys
• Collaborative Genetic Research

Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan

Kelp is a vital habitat for rockfish and numerous additional species including forage fish, invertebrates, birds, and salmon. We are partnering with the Northwest Straits Initiative to develop a Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan.

Learn more about kelp conservation

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Permit Applications

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) submitted applications to us for four scientific research permits and one incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act. WDFW prepared a conservation plan to minimize and mitigate effects on listed species. The permit applications are related to scientific research and fisheries management measures in Puget Sound/Georgia Basin, potentially affecting nine ESA-listed fish populations, including yelloweye rockfish. Following a public comment period, we released the final documents on WDFW's permit applications on November 6, 2012.

For more information, see the materials below or contact Dan Tonnes, 206-526–4643.

• ESA Section 10 Incidental take Permit (PDF, 6 pages)
• Final Environmental Assessment (PDF, 145 pages)
• WDFW Proposed Fishery Conservation Plan (PDF, 83 pages)
• WDFW ESA Section 10 Incidental Take Permit Application (PDF, 18 pages)
• WDFW Final Environmental Impact Statement

Salish Sea Rockfish Recovery Workshop, June 2011

The Rockfish Recovery in the Salish Sea: Research and Management Priorities Workshop on June 28-29, 2011 brought together scientists, managers, and industry professionals. Their focus was on recent and on-going research and recovery efforts of rockfish and their habitats in the Salish Sea to enable further collaboration. This workshop specifically focused on rockfish in the Salish Sea because of its unique and diverse habitats and its complex socioeconomic dynamics that influence rockfish research and recovery measures. 

View presentations from the workshop

Critical Habitat for Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Rockfish

In 2014, NOAA Fisheries issued a final rule to designate critical habitat for three species of rockfish listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA):

• The threatened yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) Distinct Population Segment (DPS).
• The threatened canary rockfish (S. pinniger) DPS.
• The endangered bocaccio (S. paucispinus) DPS (listed rockfish) pursuant to section 4 of the ESA.

Learn more about the critical habitat designation for Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Rockfish

Stewardship Resources

• Fishing & Barotrauma
• Report Sightings Of Derelict Fishing Gear
• Rockfish Barotrauma Video
• Species Identification Guide
• Rockfish Matching Game
• Pacific Northwest Coloring and Activity Book (Northwest Fisheries Science Center)

In February 1999, we received a petition from Mr. Sam Wright of Olympia, Washington to list 18 species of marine fishes in Puget Sound, including this species, under the ESA. On June 21, 1999, we found that there was insufficient information concerning stock structure, status, and trends for this species to suggest that listing this species may be warranted (64 FR 33037).

On April 9, 2007, we received a petition from Mr. Sam Wright (Olympia, Washington) to list "distinct population segments (DPSs)" of yelloweye rockfish, and 4 other rockfishes in Puget Sound, as endangered or threatened species under the ESA and to designate critical habitat. We found that this petition also did not present substantial scientific or commercial information to suggest that the petitioned actions may be warranted (72 FR 56986; October 5, 2007). On October 29, 2007, we received a letter from Mr. Wright presenting information that was not included in the April 2007 petition, and requesting reconsideration of the decision not to initiate a review of the species' status. We considered the supplemental information as a new petition and concluded that there was enough information in this new petition to warrant conducting status reviews of these rockfishes. We completed the status review in December 2010.

In April 2010, we listed the Puget Sound/ Georgia Basin DPS as threatened under the ESA.

Citizen Science Young of Year (YOY) Rockfish SCUBA Survey Project

Rockfish Need your Help!

Rockfish in Puget Sound form part of the diverse marine community that attracts thousands of divers each year, yet monitoring rockfish populations is challenging due to their habitat usage and sporadic occurrence in Puget Sound. We must collect a large amount of information to assess rockfish recovery and divers can help! A large-scale effort is underway to measure recruitment of young of year (YOY; fish that have not yet reached one year of age) and we are engaging scuba divers to assist. 

Why are we interested in YOY rockfish?

Assessing the numbers and locations of YOY rockfish will help us understand preferred habitats and population characteristics. Collecting this data across multiple years and comparing it with oceanic and climatic variables could clarify conditions that lead to successful reproduction. This effort is a key part of understanding what conditions lead to successful survival of young rockfish.

How can recreational divers help?

Download our YOY survey guide linked below and conduct your own survey!  Also, if you spot a YOY yelloweye rockfish, canary rockfish, or bocaccio while scuba diving, snap a picture and note your location. Then send it to us at rockfishid@noaa.gov. It’s that simple! If you are not sure of the species, send it to us anyway.

Where can I find rockfish while diving?

Rockfish can be found anywhere in Puget Sound (including the San Juan Islands). We are currently developing a list of preferred sampling sites throughout Puget Sound that may inform dive locations. YOY rockfish can be found in a variety of habitats, so we encourage you to branch out and try different dive sites that may feature eelgrass, kelp, rocky reef, or soft-bottom. You never know when you will find a new favorite dive site!

To prepare for participation, check out our YOY survey guide for instructions and assistance with species identification. Most importantly, keep diving in Puget Sound and start (or continue) keeping an eye out for juvenile rockfish!  

• YOY Rockfish Citizen Science Survey Guide (PDF, 2 pages)
• Download the flier (PDF, 1 page)
• Rockfish Identification
• Species Gallery - Pacific Coast
• 2015 - 2018 Rockfish YOY Summary Report (PDF, 13 pages)

Is your dive club interested in learning more about rockfish?

We would be happy to speak at your dive club and will do our best to make it to one of your meetings. For more information, you may contact:

• James Selleck, James.Selleck@noaa.gov
• Dan Tonnes, Dan.Tonnes@noaa.gov
• Adam Obaza, Adam@pauamarineresearch.com

NOAA Fisheries' Funded Research Projects that Inform Recovery Planning

NOAA Fisheries funds several projects with key research partners to inform rockfish recovery planning.

• Documenting Rockfish Bycatch in, and Removing Derelict Shrimp Pots with a Remotely Operated Vehicle (PDF, 16 pages)
• Rockfish Hot Spots: Identifying Rockfish Hot Spot Areas in Puget Sound Through a Spatial Analysis of "Grey" Data, September 2016 (PDF, 24 pages)
• Bycatch of rockfish in spot prawn traps and estimated magnitude of trap loss in Washington waters of the Salish Sea (PDF, 18 pages)
• Evidence of habitat associations and distribution patterns of rockfish in Puget Sound from archival data (1974-1977) (PDF, 36 pages)
• Puget Sound Derelict Gillnet Prevention Report (PDF, 15 pages)
• Angling for Insight: Examining the Recreational Fishing Community's Knowledge, Perceptions, Practices, and Preferences to Inform Rockfish Recovery Planning in Puget Sound, Washington (PDF, 208 pages)
• NOAA Rockfish Cooperative Research Assessment Project (PDF, 24 pages)
• Deepwater Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Protocols (PDF, 26 pages)
• Spatial Distribution and Magnitude of Derelict Shrimp Pots and their Potential Impacts to Rockfish in Puget Sound (PDF, 41 pages)
• Deepwater Sidescan Sonar and Camera Surveys for Derelict Fishing Nets in Rockfish Habitat (PDF, 19 pages)
• Perceptions of Change in Puget Sound: Documenting Historical Trends in Abundance of Marine Species Using Local Knowledge (PDF, 17 pages)