October 20, 2026 — Oregon commercial fishermen will be able to land and sell yelloweye rockfish next year for the first time in 25 years, marking a major milestone in the recovery of a species once declared overfished.
According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, yelloweye rockfish was declared overfished in 2002, leading to the closure of commercial fishing for the species. A recent assessment found the population has since rebuilt enough to allow limited commercial harvest beginning in 2027.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fishery manager Troy Buell discussed the reopening with fishermen during a meeting in Port Orford.
“There was a time I didn’t think I’d ever see another yelloweye rockfish at the dock legally,” Buell told fishermen. “Now, it’s rebuilt.”