Dispatch Method:

Beware of the sharp gill covers and dorsal spines of rockfish when handling them. Most species of rockfish have similar brain locations and all can be very tolerant of air exposure. They should be killed humanely by iki jime, or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.

Fish Description:

• Blue rockfish have a grey/blue colouration with a mottling of small dark spots on the flanks, and faint bars across the head and operculum.
  
• Morphological differences from other rockfish species include an enlarged hump between the eyes, a more oval "football shaped" body, a smaller mouth and a straight edge to the anal fin.
  
• Juvenile and adult blue rockfish feed mainly on planktonic crustaceans and other fishes.

Fish Distribution:

• Blue rockfish occur on the west coast of the USA from Mexico north to Canada , Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.
  
• Juveniles occur in shallow coastal waters often less than 65 feet, while adults occur mainly on the bottom on offshore rocky reefs at depths between 100 and 600 feet, though they have been encountered at depths of up to 1800 feet.

Fish Size Common Length:

Common between 12 and 16 inches. Maximum size around 21 inches and 8 pounds.