According to the Seattle Times, The federal NOAA Fisheries Service said Monday it has accepted a petition from a retired state fisheries biologist to consider whether the fish are at risk of extinction.
The biologist, Sam Wright of Olympia, proposed five species of rockfish for federal protection. If federal scientists agree, the proposal then would go through a long review process before a final decision.
Some species of rockfish, which are often found at depths greater than 300 feet, can live as long as 100 years.
Rockfish up for Federal protection
US - Puget Sound rockfish could become the latest of a host of underwater creatures to make the federal endangered species list.