Feds want to remove type of rockfish from endangered list

SEATTLE – Federal biologists are proposing to remove a species of Puget Sound rockfish from the endangered species list.

NOAA Fisheries says a new study found that Puget Sound/Georgia Basin canary rockfish is not genetically different from other canary rockfish found along the West Coast, making it ineligible for federal protection. Researchers conducted genetic testing on fin clips collected from rockfish caught by anglers.

The federal agency listed the long-living bottom dweller as threatened in 2010. Two other species – yelloweye rockfish and boccaccio – listed at that time would still protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Recreational anglers currently aren’t allowed to target or keep any rockfish species in Puget Sound.

NOAA Fisheries said Wednesday that state regulations to protect yelloweye rockfish, canary rockfish and bocaccio are unlikely to change.