In 2017, NOAA published the rockfish recovery plan for puget sound/georgia basin yelloweye rockfish (sebastes ruberrimus) and bocaccio (sebastes paucispinis) for ESA-listed populations occupying the…

In 2017, NOAA published the rockfish recovery plan for puget sound/georgia basin yelloweye rockfish (sebastes ruberrimus) and bocaccio (sebastes paucispinis) for ESA-listed populations occupying the salish sea. 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). While hatchery and aquaculture restoration efforts are not identified in the plan, IT acknowledges that an incomplete understanding of habitat and prey needs at critical life stages may limit the effectiveness of recovery efforts. Currently, knowledge of development, dietary needs, and growth rates are based on observations in the wild, and are largely based on post-settlement life stages. Like many marine fish species, however, rockfish experience substantial mortality rates as larvae, and understanding early life history dynamics is key to effect