Status of Rockfish Research and Conservation Programs: 2022-2024 Biennial Report to the Legislature

In 2007, the Washington State Legislature created a Rockfish Research Account (RRA) to fund increased monitoring of rockfish abundance and distribution as a result of the significant decline in the past half century of many rockfish species residing in Washington marine waters. Progressively from 1999, seven rockfish species were federally designated as “overfished” on the West Coast, followed in 2010 by the listing of three species in Puget Sound and the southern Strait of Georgia under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Funded by surcharges on commercial and recreational fishing licenses, revenues from the RRA have helped the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department, WDFW) to greatly expand its understanding of these vulnerable marine fish and their habitats. The Department in collaboration with state, federal, and non-government entities, has realized significant achievements that otherwise could not have been accomplished. These achievements include the rebuilding of six federally declared overfished rockfish species on the coast, and delisting an ESA listed species, Canary Rockfish, in the Puget Sound.

Since 2008, WDFW has reported to the Legislature every other year on the status of rockfish stock assessment research and fishery management efforts. This report is the latest in that series, providing an update on the current status of rockfish stock assessment capabilities, research projects conducted in fiscal years (FY) 2023 and 2024, and future plans for research by the Department.