Mark Hobson (Prints)

The inshore waters of North America’s Pacific coast are home to 34 species of Rockfish. These are among the most colourful fish in these cold waters and they are generally very territorial. Recently research has revealed that they live much longer than was first thought. The China Rockfish prefers the rugged outer coast and is one of the most beautifully marked. It lives possibly 80 years, inhabiting the same crevices or caves for its entire life. China Rockfish may be over 15 before reproducing. The restaurant market for live fish in the last decade has particularly targeted species of Rockfish. They are easy to catch in predictable locations and due to their slow reproductive rates their numbers have dropped alarmingly in many areas especially Georgia Strait and Puget Sound.