Rockfish Conservation
Statewide Rockfish Initiative

Rockfish caught in deep water often sustain injuries, referred to as barotrauma, caused by rapid decompression and expansion of gases in the swim bladder.

Fish released with inflated swim bladders cannot resubmerge and may die. Intentional catch-and-release fishing is strongly discouraged, especially in depths of 60 feet or greater.

Anglers can help conserve Alaska's valuable rockfish stocks by following commonsense guidelines that reduce unwanted rockfish catch and improve release outcomes.

• Avoid catching unwanted rockfish. Keep jigs and bait 10 - 15 feet off the bottom when targeting halibut or lingcod.
• Move if you are catching rockfish unintentionally. Avoid fishing in areas with structure attractive to rockfish, such as boulders, ridges, and pinnacles.
• Target other species first when planning a mixed bag. This allows you to retain incidental rockfish as part of your limit and minimize released fish.
• Harvest only what you are likely to eat soon.
• Use release-friendly tackle. When fishing with bait, use a single circle hook.

• Avoid high-bycatch areas.
• Do not intentionally catch and release rockfish in deep water.
• Use deepwater release devices when needed.
• Know your rockfish species before harvesting.

YouTube video of a Deep Water Release mechanisms

Survival can improve substantially when rockfish are released at the depth of capture. If a fish appears inflated or cannot swim down, use a deepwater release device.

A variety of deepwater release devices, or recompression tools, are available commercially. Anglers can also make their own deepwater release devices out of simple leadhead jigs.

Rockfish with barotrauma