An Update to Our Rockfish Sourcing: What’s Changed and Why It Matters

At Skipper Otto, our goal has always been to protect marine ecosystems for generations to come, while supporting a small-scale fishing way of life in coastal communities and offering a diverse range of delicious, high-quality seafood to our members.

This year, we took a closer look at our sourcing strategy for one of the more complex species on our coast: Pacific rockfish.

With the support of sustainable fisheries researcher Jeff Scott and our Member Services Manager Chantal McFarlane, who has an educational background in marine biology, we reviewed the latest science, certifications, and insights from the fishers we work with every day. Through that process, we’re excited to share that we’ll be expanding and updating our rockfish offerings this season!

Why Rockfish Require a Thoughtful Approach 

There are more than 35 species living in Pacific Northwest waters, many of which are long-lived (up to 200 years old!), slow to mature, and tend to swim together in groups. These traits make them particularly susceptible to overfishing if not carefully managed. For species that live in deeper waters, there’s an added challenge: when they’re brought to the surface, the rapid change in pressure can cause barotrauma (much like how SCUBA divers can suffer from ‘the bends’), often preventing them from surviving if released.

Because of this, rockfish require a thoughtful approach.

In British Columbia, that foundation already exists. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has developed a management system that is considered robust and intentional. Through tools like Rockfish Conservation Areas, catch quotas, and monitoring programs designed to limit bycatch, the fishery is structured to protect stock health over the long term.

At the same time, science is rarely black and white. Not all rockfish species have been formally assessed, and even among those that have, data quality can vary. In situations like these, scientists often rely on biological characteristics—such as lifespan and reproductive rates—to better understand how populations may respond to fishing pressure.

How We’re Updating Our Sourcing

That uncertainty is exactly why our sourcing decisions don’t rely on a single data point or organization. Instead, we take a layered approach. We begin with DFO’s management and assessments, then look to third-party recommendations from organizations like Ocean Wise and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). From there, we review available academic research and listen to the people who know these fisheries most intimately—our small-scale fishing families. Their multi-generational, on-the-water knowledge plays a critical role in helping us understand what’s happening beyond the data.

This combination of science, certification, and lived experience helps us make informed and responsible decisions.

As a result of this year’s review, we will continue sourcing the same nine rockfish species we’ve offered in the past, including Bocaccio, Canary, Pacific Ocean Perch, Redstripe, Quillback, Silvergray, Yellowmouth, Yellowtail, and Widow rockfish. What’s new this season is an expansion in how we source them. We’re increasing availability through potential targeted fishing trips and by updating which species we accept as allowable bycatch.

What This Means For Our Members & Fisheries

This decision came after carefully reviewing where different sources aligned—and where they didn’t. In cases of uncertainty, we took a deeper look, weighing the available science alongside what we’ve consistently heard from our fishers over the years. It was encouraging to see that recent updates to MSC certifications now include species that were not previously recognized when harvested in BC trawl fisheries. While that update wasn’t the sole driver of our decisions, it does reflect growing confidence in the management systems and stock health of these fisheries.

Equally important is how the fish are caught. Our rockfish is sourced using midwater trawl, bottom longline and trolling methods, all of which are less invasive than bottom trawling. Choosing these methods is one more way we aim to reduce environmental impact while maintaining quality.

For us, this update isn’t just about expanding a product offering. It’s about continuing to build a seafood system that reflects our values—one that supports independent fishers, respects the complexity of marine ecosystems, and gives our members confidence in the choices they’re making.

Because in the end, sourcing seafood responsibly isn’t a static decision. It’s an ongoing process of learning, listening, and adapting—and we’re committed to doing that work every step of the way.