August 3, 2026 — Oregon scientists have headed to an inactive underwater volcano in search of rare fish.
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Marine Fisheries Research Team left Newport on Saturday to begin their journey 322 miles left of the state’s north coast, the agency recently announced. Officials said Cobb Seamount is their destination, where they hope to locate old female rockfish.
ODFW reported the team is specifically looking for black, canary and yellowtail fish.
Those particular species are mostly comprised of male fish as they age, according to the department. Researchers also noted older fish have only been found in commercial or recreational fisheries on few occasions.