Skip to main content
Unsupported Browser Detected

Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. For the best experience, please use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

Yelloweye Rockfish

Yelloweye Rockfish

Sebastes ruberrimus

yelloweye-rockfish.png

Protected Status

ESA Threatened
Puget Sound/ Georgia Basin DPS

Quick Facts

Weight
Up to 40 pounds
Lifespan
Up to 150 years
Length
Up to 3.5 feet
Threats
Overfishing, Bycatch, Habitat degradation, Derelict fishing gear
Region
Alaska, West Coast
See Regulatory Actions
yelloweye_rockfish.jpg Yelloweye rockfish - Photo: Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Yelloweye rockfish - Photo: Alaska Department of Fish and Game

About the Species

Yelloweye rockfish are among the longest lived of rockfishes, with maximum age reported to be up to 150 years. This species also is very slow growing and late to mature. Although conservation measures like fishing bans have been put in place in Puget Sound, recovery from threats such as past overfishing and continued bycatch will take many years due to the life history of yelloweye rockfish. The Puget Sound/Georgia Basin distinct population segment (DPS) in Washington State is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Non-ESA listed populations of yelloweye rockfish are harvested in commercial and recreational fisheries off the West Coast and Alaska. Fisheries harvest of yelloweye rockfish is managed under the following Fishery Management Plans (FMPs):

Learn more about the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery off the West Coast

Assessment of the Other Rockfish stock complex in the Gulf of Alaska

Assessment of the Demersal Shelf Rockfish Stock Complex in the Southeast Outside Subdistrict of the Gulf of Alaska

Population Status

NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving and protecting yelloweye rockfish. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study, learn more about, and protect this species.

Find rockfish status reviews

Protected Status

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

  • Puget Sound/ Georgia Basin DPS

Threats

Yelloweye rockfish were once part of a vibrant recreational and commercial groundfish fishery in Puget Sound. Because all rockfish species are an important part of the food web, actions to support rockfish recovery would benefit the Puget Sound ecosystem. For instance, larval and juvenile rockfish are a food source for juvenile salmon and other marine fish and seabirds.

Many rockfish species do not begin to reproduce until they are 5-20 years old, their recruitment varies from year to year and reproductive success occurs at the right combination of temperature, food supply and upwelling intensity. Therefore, these species are dependent on maintaining extended population age structure, and thus very susceptible to overfishing and habitat degradation.

Washington State has closed many commercial fisheries that caught rockfishes incidentally, and there is no direct commercial harvest of them in Puget Sound. Recreationally, targeting or retaining any species of rockfish in Puget Sound waters east of the Port Angeles area is not allowed.

Through work with our partners, we have supported a number of rockfish recovery actions, including derelict fishing gear surveys (PDF, 19 pages) and prevention (PDF, 15 pages) efforts, kelp conservation and recovery, the distribution of descending devices to recreational anglers, unique habitat and fish surveys, and the development of outreach materials.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Scorpaeniformes
Family Sebastidae
Genus Sebastes
Species ruberrimus

Featured News

Omar-UW.jpg
Feature Story

Partnership Provides Hands-on Fisheries Research Opportunities for Students

West Coast
yelloweye_rockfish.jpg
Feature Story

Removal of West Coast Rockfish from Endangered Species List

West Coast
pop_re_boulderyhashy_5632retouched2.jpg
Feature Story

Study Looks at Vulnerability of Eastern Bering Sea Fish, Crab, and Salmon Stocks to Climate Change

Alaska
Rockfish-thumb.jpg
Feature Story

Rockfish Getting Better With Age

Alaska
View More News

In the Spotlight

Management Overview

The Puget Sound/Georgia Basin DPS of yelloweye rockfish in Washington State is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Recovery Planning and Implementation

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).

Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan

Kelp is a vital habitat for rockfish and numerous additional species including forage fish, invertebrates, birds, and salmon. We have partnered with a consortium of regional kelp experts to develop the Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan, which was released in May of 2020.

Learn more about kelp conservation

Critical Habitat for Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Rockfish

In 2014, NOAA Fisheries issued a final rule to designate critical habitat for the threatened yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act.

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

Conservation Efforts

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Permit Applications

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) developed a conservation plan to minimize and mitigate negative effects on listed species as a result of fisheries management measures in Puget Sound/Georgia Basin. These measures potentially affect nine ESA-listed fish populations, including yelloweye rockfish. This conservation plan was developed as part of WDFW’s application for an incidental take permit under the ESA. Following a public comment period, we issued the incidental take permit on November 6, 2012.

For more information, see the materials below or contact Dr. Dayv Lowry, 253-317-1764.

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

Stewardship Resources

Regulatory History

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.

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents

Initiation of 5-Year Reviews for Eulachon, Yelloweye Rockfish, Bocaccio, and Green Sturgeon

We, NMFS, are announcing 5-year reviews of four species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. The four distinct population segments (DPSs) included in this notice are the southern DPS of eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus),…
Information Gathering
,
West Coast
Published

Removal of the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Canary Rockfish DPS From the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species; and Update and Amendment to

We, NMFS, are issuing a final rule to remove the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) from the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species and remove its critical habitat designation. We…
Final Rule
,
Alaska
West Coast
Effective

Draft Recovery Plan for Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Yelloweye Rockfish and Bocaccio

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the availability of the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) and Bocaccio (S. paucispinis) Draft Recovery Plan (Plan) for public review. NMFS is soliciting review and…
Notice
,
Alaska
West Coast
Published

Removal of the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin DPS of Canary Rockfish From the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species; Update and Amend the

We, NMFS, are issuing a proposed rule to remove the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) from the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species and remove its critical habitat designation as…
Proposed Rule
,
Alaska
West Coast
Published

Science Overview

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!  

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:

NOAA Fisheries' Funded Research Projects that Inform Recovery Planning

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

Research & Data

Protected Resources App

Displays spatial data for marine and anadromous species listed under the…
February 05, 2020 - Map ,
West Coast

Critical Habitat - Yelloweye Rockfish (Puget Sound/Georgia Basin DPS)

Maps and GIS data
Shapefile Protected Resources App Map Service PDF
January 21, 2020 - Map ,
West Coast

Center for Independent Experts Summary Report for the 2006 Alaska Rockfish Review

This report presents the summary views of Drs. Patrick Cordue, Cynthia…
September 19, 2018 - Survey ,
Alaska

Fish and Invertebrate Species Photo Gallery

This fish and invertebrate photo gallery serves to aid students and…
May 03, 2018 - Database ,
Alaska
View More

Documents

Document

Final Section 4(b)(2) Report for the Designation of Critical Habitat for Yelloweye Rockfish, Canary Rockfish, and Bocaccio

This report contains NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region’s analysis for designating critical habitat…

West Coast
Document

Biological Report for the Designation of Critical Habitat for Yelloweye Rockfish, Canary Rockfish, and Bocaccio

This report contains a biological analysis compiled by the Protected Resources Division of NOAA…

West Coast
Document

Yelloweye Rockfish and Bocaccio Recovery Plan

This recovery plan outlines actions and research for the conservation and survival of threatened…

West Coast
National
More Documents

Data & Maps

Data

Center for Independent Experts Summary Report for the 2006 Alaska Rockfish Review

This report presents the summary views of Drs. Patrick Cordue, Cynthia Jones, and Robert Mohn on…

Alaska
Data

Fish and Invertebrate Species Photo Gallery

This fish and invertebrate photo gallery serves to aid students and scientists with visual…

Alaska
More Data and Maps