northern Channel Islands of Southern California. Like other rockfish species, quillbacks live on the bottom, perching on rocks or hiding in rock crevices. The juveniles stay mainly along the shore, in reefs, sand and eelgrass, while the adult rockfish live in the deeper waters. They are for the most part solitary dwellers, rarely being found in groups. They are rarely found in the open ocean, generally preferring to stay close to kelp, rocks, coral, or lodged in crevices or holes. Despite this, they are not territorial. High densities tend to coincide with peak plant growth. They occupy a variety of habitats in many different areas on the west coast of North America. Depending on the location, the quillback rockfish are minimally to moderately migratory. On the high-relief rocky reefs of Puget Sound, Washington, they maintain small ranges of 30 square meters, while on low-relief reefs they may stay within a larger, 400 – 1500 square meter, area. They sometimes move seasonally to low-relief reefs when kelp is present (summer). Biology The quillback rockfish is ovoviviparous, like other rock fishes, the eggs are internally fertilized and the mother provides nutrients to the developing embryos. They mate in December and the female can store sperm for weeks before it is used for fertilization the larvae are born in April and May in British Columbia and from April to July off Northern and central California. There is a lengthy pelagic larval phase which can have a duration of up to two months, before the larvae settle into a benthic habit. The juveniles are typically found in shallower waters than the adults. This species has been known to live for as long as 95 years and half of the fish are sexually mature at 11 years old. The females in the population tend to be older and larger than the males. Quillback rockfish are predatory preying on herring, crabs, amphipods, krill and copepods. They are diurnal feeders. Fishing Rockfish as a group are important to the fishing industry as a food fish. Quillback rockfish have white, flaky meat with a delicate flavor, as befits deep-dwelling cold water species. From Oregon to southeast Alaska quillback rockfish are an important part of the inshore sport commercial fishery and are also taken by party and private vessels and divers. They are often caught in deep, cold water by bottom fishing with herring or jigging. Most rockfish are