The Catch Of The Day - Pacific Rockfish
Knute Hogan, The Culinarian, October 2007

There are upwards of one hundred different species of Pacific Rockfish. This species is found from the Bering Sea to Baja, California. What is most often marketed as Pacific Red Snapper, is actually Pacific Rockfish. This market term is exclusive to the west coast, and can be referred to as such only within the state it is harvested. Authentic Red Snapper is only found in the Gulf of Mexico and carries a significantly higher cost.

The names associated with each of the Pacific Rockfish species may often refer to their color: brown, vermilion, silver gray, black, blue, gray; or other distinctive features: thorny head, green striped, dark blotched, split nose, quillback, black gill, yellowtail, red banded, just to name a few. And, to further the confusion, many of the species have regional names such as bandit, buoy keg, high sail, idiots, spiny cheek, banjo, convict and yellow eye. This list hardly begins to cover the many names that Pacific Rockfish carry. Quite often however, it is labeled as Rock Cod, but, if you find yourself in Australia, Rock Cod is a true cod, which is also known as a beardie. Oh, and by the way, in Maryland, striped bass is called Rockfish. (This is turning into an Abbott and Costello routine.)

Information about the life history of Pacific Rockfish varies with each species. It is known that they are slow growing, have a low rate of natural mortality (predators include sea loins, salmon, sablefish) and have an extended longevity (one fish caught in Alaska was figured to be 205 years old). Typically, it takes Pacific Rockfish 10 years to mature to its spawning stage which leaves them very vulnerable to over fishing. Some species are capable of spawning year round, but, summer and fall are the most common. Some species such as the Pacific Ocean Perch experience live birth. It is thought that the survival rate is dramatically higher from older female spawners. After drifting with currents as larvae and fingerlings, the juveniles move to preferred shallower water of the continental shelf, ranging from 90 to 300 feet, followed by migrating to a few thousand feet as they grow to adulthood. Pacific Rockfish that live in relatively shallow open water are referred to as pelagic and those that occupy deep water as bottom dwellers are non pelagic. The preferences of one or the other varies with the tastes of the individual. Seasonal differences in depth distribution of the fish have been observed with fish finding their way to coastal ledges and areas with boulders in shallower water during the summer months.

Good harvest productions occur at one thousand feet, give or take a few hundred feet. The lion’s share of the yearly harvest is taken by trawling, although it is feasible a trend may develop for more hook and line fishing with the growing modifications to fisheries management. Due to the fact that many species of Pacific Rockfish school together, it is difficult to target a specific species. While Pacific Rockfish is available year round, the summer months generally yield a significant share of the year’s catch. Annual harvest figures in the US and Canada amount to thirty to forty thousand tons, most of which is fished northward from Northern California. Forty some years ago, that harvest number was nearly ten times as large, but subsequent years of over fishing resulted in a great decline of the fish population, and, by the late 1970’s, the yearly catch was down to eight thousand tons. Improved management efforts such as curtailed fishing openings, adjustments to total allowable catch, areas that are closed to fishing and habitat preservation will see the Pacific Rockfish population begin to rebound and a look to the future, indicates continued progress for the numbers of this important commercial fish. The Alaskan fishery stocks appear to be in the best shape. But given the slow growing nature of the fish, it will be many years before a full recovery can be expected.

Pacific Rockfish is available in both whole fish and fillet form. When whole fish is available, it is noted that its stomach may often have expanded outside of its mouth, looking like a small bubble. Due to a lack of swim bladder venting for many species, that bladder expands when the fish is brought to the surface, thereby compressing its internal organs, resulting in stomach expansion. This is no reflection of the quality of the fish, but rather a natural occurrence while fishing, leaving most fish to face certain mortality whether brought on board or released back into the water.

Due to their slow growth rates, Pacific Rockfish found on the market tend to be two to five pounds each and measure one to two feet in length. The affordable price attached to Pacific Rockfish makes it a popular choice in grocery stores, fish markets and restaurants. The applications are many and can vary from broiling to deep frying. The fillets are excellent when prepared to a crispy state with its skin on and the flavor of the flaky, white flesh is very mild. The expected shelf life of fresh cut fillets is five days when kept wrapped in plastic and refrigerated.

Pacific Rockfish resource management, based on the best current scientific information and research, is vital for everyone. It is important to remember that a sustainable fishery will benefit fish populations, those whose livelihood depends on them and consumers looking for the important nutritional benefits that the Pacific Rockfish provide.