What is NMFS responsible for?

NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, is responsible for the management, conservation, and protection of living marine resources within about 200 miles of the U.S. coast.

Is rockfish a groundfish?

Groundfish refers to more than 90 different types of roundfish, flatfish, rockfish, sharks, and skates off the West Coast. With a few exceptions, groundfish live on or near the bottom of the ocean.

What is considered a ground fish?

Groundfish are fish that live on or near the seafloor. Species most familiar include Atlantic Cod, Haddock, Atlantic Halibut, Greenland Halibut, Redfish, Flounder and Pollock.

Are rockfish considered finfish?

Striped bass, also known as rockfish, are arguably the most economically important finfish on the Atlantic seaboard.

What is a NOAA FMC?

Fisheries manages its mission portfolio through a decentralized network of Funds Management Centers (FMCs) including 11 Regional Offices and Science Centers; 5 Headquarters offices, and operations support offices. Fisheries Headquarters provides general guidance and support and is the principal liaison with NOAA.

Can you keep cowcod in California?

Take and possession of bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod and yelloweye rockfish remain prohibited statewide.

What rock fish are illegal in California?

California Scorpionfish (a.k.a. sculpin) Take of California scorpionfish is prohibited seaward of the 100 fathom (600 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line, which is a series of connected waypoints defined in Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 660, Subpart C).

What are groundfish in New England?

The Northeast multispecies (groundfish) complex consists of 13 species:

  • Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
  • Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
  • Yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea)
  • Pollock (Pollachius virens)
  • American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)
  • Witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus)

Is Sole a groundfish?

Flatfish Species Arnerican plaice, yellowtail, gray sole and winter flounder are marketed as flounder and sole. Collectively, they used to make up the most important Atlantic groundfish catch after cod.

Can you keep rockfish California?

The daily bag and possession limit is 10 fish within the 10-fish RCG Complex aggregate limit (includes all species of Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenlings), with a minimum size limit of 15 inches total length.

Are rockfish good to eat?

It’s an excellent white-fleshed fish for quick and easy meals and is a favorite in Asian and American cuisines. There are several varieties of rockfish, and while they may taste slightly different from each other, all rockfish are firm, lean, and mild-flavored.