NOAA Fisheries Service received a petition in September 2006 to list distinct population segments (DPSs) of copper and quillback rockfish in Puget Sound under the Endangered Species Act. After a careful review of the information presented in the petition, and of information available in agency files, the Northwest Region found that the petition failed to present substantial scientific and commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted.

January 2007: ESA "not warranted" decisions for copper & quillback rockfish

• News Release (PDF 22KB)
• Jan. 23, 2007, Federal Register notice (PDF 93KB)
       References cited in Federal Register notice (PDF 65KB)
• Questions & Answers on Puget Sound rockfish petition decision (PDF 62KB)
• September 2006 Petition to List Copper & Quillback Rockfish (PDF 52KB)