The Great Groundfish Comeback and Why it Matters for Oregon Seafood Lovers

The waters off the Oregon coast are known for abundance, and are among the most productive in the world. Fish thrive here thanks to nutrient-rich upwelling and a long tradition of careful stewardship by fishing families. The West Coast groundfish fishery is a group of more than 90 species that live near or along the ocean floor. Groundfish include many of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved seafood species, such as rockfish, lingcod, sablefish, petrale sole, and Dover sole.

But the health of these fisheries was not always guaranteed. The story of West Coast groundfish over the past twenty five years is one of the most significant conservation and recovery successes in American seafood!

For those of us on the Newport Bayfront, this comeback feels personal. At Local Ocean Seafoods, many of the groundfish we serve come from Newport fishing vessels that land their catch just down the dock. The fishermen who harvest these species helped navigate the long rebuilding process and are now part of one of the most remarkable fishery recoveries in the world.

The comeback of West Coast groundfish

The West Coast groundfish fishery suffered a serious population decline in several of its commercially fished species during the 1990s and faced major restrictions after being declared a federal disaster in 2000. At the time, 10 groundfish stocks had been declared overfished, with some populations reduced to less than a quarter of healthy levels.

What followed was a long and difficult rebuilding process that required major changes across the entire fishery. Today, the West Coast groundfish fishery is widely recognized as one of the most successful fishery recoveries in the world and has been called the “comeback of the century” by NOAA.

In October 2025, The Pacific Fishery Management Council declared yelloweye rockfish populations had  been rebuilt, marking the recovery of the final species among those that had been overfished. The milestone came decades ahead of expectations. Scientists initially projected extremely long rebuilding timelines for yelloweye rockfish because the species is slow growing and long lived. Some early models suggested recovery might take many decades. Reaching this milestone is a huge success!

A new model for responsible fishing

The recovery of West Coast groundfish did not happen by accident. It was the result of collaboration between fishermen, scientists, regulators, and coastal communities.

Over time the fishery adopted a number of important tools designed to protect fish populations and improve accountability. Catch share quotas gave fishermen long term incentives to fish responsibly. Trawl vessels adopted full monitoring to track catch and bycatch. Stock assessments and improved science helped managers adjust harvest levels to match the health of fish populations.

At the same time, fishermen helped develop new gear innovations that reduce environmental impact. Semi-pelagic trawl gear keeps nets from dragging directly on the seafloor, protecting sensitive habitats. LED lights and improved sensors help reduce unwanted bycatch. Together these measures allowed the fishery to rebuild depleted species while continuing to harvest abundant ones.

Why this matters in Newport

At Local Ocean Seafoods, groundfish are a cornerstone of what we serve every day. Much of the lingcod, rockfish, and sablefish we serve comes from Newport vessels, including Captain Chris Wright of the F/V Challenge. We source from over 40 commercial boats throughout the year, each one a small independent business of its own. Our 100% Fish Program utilizes groundfish species for our upcycled Fish Skin Dog Treats, and Fish Bone Broth products, honoring the entire fish.

When you order a plate of rockfish tacos, lingcod fish & chips, or a bowl of blackcod ramen from the daily specials sheet at Local Ocean, you are tasting the result of decades of collaboration between fishermen, scientists, and managers who worked together to rebuild these stocks.

Supporting the fishermen behind the comeback

Despite the conservation success, West Coast groundfish fishermen continue to face economic pressures. Monitoring requirements, management fees, and lingering costs from earlier fleet reduction programs still affect the fleet. 

According to a recent article from National Fisherman, “Rebuilding fish stocks has outpaced market demand, and structural costs continue to squeeze margins. Fishermen are required to hire certified observers or install video monitoring systems, pay 3 percent assessment on landed groundfish for management costs, and continue chipping away at the 2002 buyback debt, which is expected to be repaid by 2028.”

Even considering the challenges, the West Coast groundfish fishery is a success story we’re continuing to celebrate through our menu at Local Ocean. Choosing locally landed seafood matters. Though Oregon fisheries are among the most sustainable in the world, a recent study shows that 90% of the seafood consumed on the Oregon coast comes from another state or country. When restaurants and consumers support species like rockfish, lingcod, and sablefish, they help strengthen the market for a fishery that has proven sustainability and abundance can go hand in hand.

A comeback worth celebrating

At Local Ocean, we are proud to source groundfish from Newport fishing vessels and to serve seafood that reflects both the resilience of our ocean and the dedication of the people who harvest from it.

If it has been a while since your last visit to the Newport Bayfront, come see us. Try the rockfish, the lingcod, or a beautiful piece of Oregon blackcod. You’ll be tasting one of the ocean’s greatest comeback stories.

Learn more information, see Pacific Fishery Management Council, Seafood Watch, Federal Register, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Mongabay, Positively Groundfish.