Rockfish - What to know, when & where to get it
A photo that captures the diversity of rockfish. Photo credit of Calder Deyerle. See all the different types of rockfish at the guide here.
Rockfish
(year-round)
Rockfish is a term used for nearly sixty species in the fish family of Sebastidae. While they come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, one constant is that they are delicious. Each species of rockfish - such as vermillion, chilipepper, blue, black, or gopher - have sweet but distinct flavor profiles that accompany their flaky white flesh. Rockfish is an excellent source of lean protein, and the options for preparing it are endless!
As a seafood consumer, you have likely enjoyed rockfish without even knowing it. Served as fish n’ chips or as beer-battered tacos, rockfish are sometimes called “rock cod” or “cod” or mislabeled as “snapper” or “red snapper.” And, while such mislabeling is likely well-intentioned, it misguides consumers and is a disservice to this amazing and diverse group of fish.
Buying Tips
• Ask for fresh, local rockfish when it’s in season
• Try different rockfish species until you find your favorite
• Buy frozen rockfish when fresh isn’t available
Seafood Illustration courtesy of “Monterey Bay Aquarium®
More about Rockfish:
Rockfish: life, habitat, and management
The name is a bit deceiving, as it suggests they all live in rocks. However, you can find rockfish on virtually any seafloor or lingering in the water column. Similarly, rockfish can be found in the shallow coastal waters, meandering beneath the kelp canopies through open waters, and into the deeper depths of our ocean. The social dynamics of rockfish also differ depending on the species—where a vermillion lives a solitary life, blue rockfish find comfort in numbers.
Rockfish can live exceptionally long lives, ranging from 20 to 200 years! We know this because scientists and managers have had to learn about the life cycles of each rockfish species in order to effectively manage them. You can determine the age of fish by examining the ear bones, called otoliths. Like counting rings on trees stump, otoliths have similar rings that indicate age and environment for each year of life. This information has helped fisheries managers and scientists identify previous impacts on fish populations, and develop regulations that have helped rebuild stocks that had previously been declared overfished, such as Cowcod. Catch limits, closures of fishing grounds, and fishing seasons are just a few of the management measures used to protect rockfish stocks.
Where & When to Find RockFish
Rockfish are accessible for many different sectors of commercial fishing (e.g., hook n’ line and trawl), which contributes to their year-round availability.
You can buy rockfish directly from local fishermen off the dock, at local restaurants, grocery stores, and fish markets —check out our Local Catch page for more information, or check out our recipes page for tips on how to store, prepare, and cook rockfish and other seafood.
Want a fun calendar to remind you of what is in season here in Monterey Bay? Download + print our seafood seasonality guide (downloadable pdf).