Description

The Rockfish family comprise of a wide variety of species – though when cooked – it is difficult to differentiate between the varieties. In general - Rockfish living at deeper depths tend to be brighter in colour. Rockfish have large mouths and eyes, spines on their head and prominent fins. Dusky Rockfish have gray to greenish-brown backs and sides - while their ventral sides and pelvic fins are tinted pink.

Habitat

Dusky Rockfish are primarily pelagic - most commonly found at depths between 330 – 984 feet. This Pacific species is most abundant in Alaska - however, they range from Southern British Columbia - north to the Bering Sea and west to Hokkaido Island, Japan.

Fishing Season

Sustainability Status

Rockfish are slow-growing and mature late in life. Consequently - many Rockfish are caught before they have had chance to reproduce and are therefore very vulnerable to overfishing. In 2002 - emergency fishery closures - both commercial and sport - were enacted along the west coast of North America in an effort to give Rockfish populations a chance to recover.