Pacific Ocean Perch
Sebastes alutus
Also known as POP, Rockfish
Culinary Profile
Delicate, nutty flavor.
Lean, fairly firm, with a fine flake.
Low in saturated fat and very high in selenium, phosphorous, and vitamin B12.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Pacific ocean perch are light red with several diffuse, olive-green patches on their upper backs where the body begins to narrow towards the tail fin. They also possess a prominent, cone-shaped knob on their lower jaw.
Biology
Pacific ocean perch grow slowly and may live to be 98 years old. They grow to about 20 inches long and weigh about 4 pounds. They do not reproduce until they are around 10 years old. Depending on their size, females can produce between 10,000 and 300,000 eggs. Pacific ocean perch mate in the fall. Eggs develop inside the female and receive some nourishment from the mother.
Where They Live
Range Pacific ocean perch are found off the coast of North America from California to the Western Aleutian Islands in Alaska. They are less commonly found south of Oregon and are particularly rare in Southern California. Habitat Pacific ocean perch live in deeper waters of the upper continental slope and along the edge of the continental shelf.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Alaska to California.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2024, commercial landings of Pacific ocean perch totaled 136 million pounds and were valued at $22.5 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Bottom trawls are primarily used to catch Pacific ocean perch, although pelagic trawls are also used. Bottom trawls can contact the ocean floor and impact habitats, depending on the type and sensitivity of the habitat and the size of the gear. Trawls cause minimal damage when targeting species over soft, sandy, or muddy ocean bottoms. For Alaska and the West Coast, NOAA Fisheries and the regional fishery management councils have implemented large closed areas to protect sensitive rocky, cold-water coral and sponge habitats from bottom trawls.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 65 Species
Where Pacific Ocean Perch ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Zinc | 1.11 mg | 19 / 111 | 83% |
| Vitamin D | 3 IU | 23 / 54 | 57% |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 27 / 111 | 76% |
| Protein | 19.39 g | 41 / 111 | 63% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.9 µg | 46 / 106 | 57% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 174 mg | 60 / 104 | 42% |
| Phosphorus | 200 mg | 66 / 111 | 41% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 79 mg | 67 / 104 | 36% |
| Selenium | 12.6 µg | 105 / 106 | 1% |
Other Species in Genus Sebastes
5 close biological relatives of Pacific Ocean Perch profiled in this catalogue — typically sharing similar anatomy, depth range, and fishery management.
| Species | Scientific name | Protein (g/100 g) | Omega-3 DHA (mg) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acadian Redfish | Sebastes fasciatus | 19.39 | 174 | Smart Choice |
| Bocaccio | Sebastes paucispinis | 17.81 | 120 | Smart Choice |
| Canary Rockfish | Sebastes pinniger | 18.36 | 179 | Smart Choice |
| Widow Rockfish | Sebastes entomelas | 17.73 | 585 | Smart Choice |
| Yellowtail Rockfish | Sebastes flavidus | 17.81 | 120 | Smart Choice |
Other Alaska Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Pacific Ocean Perch.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Bocaccio
Sebastes paucispinis
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Canary Rockfish
Sebastes pinniger
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Chinook salmon has a pronounced buttery, rich taste. They are the most highly prized salmon in the culinary world.
Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus keta
Chum salmon has a lower oil content than other wild salmon, so it has a relatively mild flavor.
Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Smaller coho have a delicate flavor. Fillets from larger fish have a mild taste.
Dover Sole
Microstomus pacificus
Mild and sweet.
English Sole
Parophrys vetulus
Mild taste with a slight shellfish flavor.
Flathead Sole
Hippoglossoides elassodon
Mild and delicate flavor.
Geoduck
Panopea generosa
The neck is tough and crunchy, while the belly meat is tender and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Delicate-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the delicate flavour profile of Pacific Ocean Perch, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Pollock
Pollachius virens
Sweet and delicate.
Black Sea Bass
Centropristis striata
Mild, fresh, somewhat delicate flavor.
Bocaccio
Sebastes paucispinis
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Canary Rockfish
Sebastes pinniger
Delicate, nutty, sweet flavor.
Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Smaller coho have a delicate flavor. Fillets from larger fish have a mild taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Pacific Ocean Perch reproduce?
Pacific ocean perch grow slowly and may live to be 98 years old. They grow to about 20 inches long and weigh about 4 pounds. They do not reproduce until they are around 10 years old. Depending on their size, females can produce between 10,000 and 300,000 eggs. Pacific ocean perch mate in the fall. Eggs develop inside the female and receive some nourishment from the mother.
What else is Pacific Ocean Perch called?
Pacific Ocean Perch is also marketed as POP, Rockfish.
How should Pacific Ocean Perch be cooked?
Pacific Ocean Perch has Lean, fairly firm, with a fine flake. — suited to gentle methods that preserve moisture (poaching, sous-vide, low-heat roasting) as much as high-heat techniques (grilling, searing), depending on thickness of the cut.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Pacific ocean perch is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are four stocks of Pacific ocean perch: Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands, Pacific coast, and one stock contained in a stock complex along the southern Pacific coast. According to the most recent stock assessments: The Gulf of Alaska stock is not overfished (2023 stock assessment) and not subject to overfishing based on 2024 catch data.
Population
The stocks are not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Area closures and gear restrictions protect sensitive rocky, cold-water coral and sponge habitats from bottom trawl gear.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the Pacific ocean perch fishery in Alaska. Managed under the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Groundfish Fishery Management Plans: Permits are required and the number of available permits is limited to control the amount of fishing.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.