DFG Introduces Online "Tracker" for Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Catches

Anglers can now use the Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Web site to monitor the current status of the statewide catch of yelloweye rockfish. This information is of interest to many, because once the federal catch limit of this species is close to being met, the
groundfish season may close.

"Yelloweye rockfish is the most constraining groundfish species on the West Coast," said Marija Vojkovich, DFG Marine Region Manager. "In 2008, many anglers were surprised when the groundfish season north of Point Arena closed early because the yelloweye rockfish catch had approached the federal harvest limit. This year, the tracking tool should result in fewer surprises."

Yelloweye rockfish are federally designated as an "overfished" species that may not be kept in California; however, anglers sometimes catch the fish by accident, and this incidental take is counted towards the statewide recreational harvest limit. The new tracking tool, available at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/groundfishcentral/tracking.asp, will help anglers keep up to date on the status of the statewide catch and the possibility of early season closure.

The tracking tool will be updated weekly as new catch information is received and processed.

Yelloweye rockfish, a species found most frequently in northern California, is a challenging species to manage because the statewide recreational harvest limit is minimal-only 6,173 pounds of incidentally taken fish are allowed for 2009. This species is slow-growing, late-maturing, and can reach ages of more than 100 years. According to the current federal rebuilding plan, the yelloweye rockfish stock may take over 70 years to recover.

"Groundfish" includes over 80 species of marine fish, including other rockfish, lingcod, cabezon and some species of flatfish. For more information about groundfish fishery management and the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the federal agency responsible for setting harvest limits for groundfish, please visit www.pcouncil.org.

For more information regarding recreational groundfish regulations and for current in season regulation changes, please call the DFG Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Hotline at (831) 649-2801, or visit the DFG Groundfish Central Web site at:
www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/groundfishcentral/index.asp.