In a significant step toward restoring Southern California’s native fish populations, the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) is releasing 5,000 hatchery-raised California halibut into San Diego’s Mission Bay this week. The effort marks the organization’s most ambitious halibut release to date and represents a growing commitment to localized, sustainable seafood production.
Over two days, HSWRI researchers are introducing year-old juvenile halibut – ranging from 4 to 8 inches in length – into shallow bay waters where the fish will mature before migrating to deeper ocean habitats. The halibut were bred and reared at HSWRI’s facility in Perez Cove as part of a long-running initiative to supplement wild stocks and advance marine aquaculture science.
“California halibut populations are currently estimated at just 14% of their historic levels,” said Mark Drawbridge, Senior Research Scientist and Director of HSWRI’s Sustainable Seafood Program. “This program is about giving nature a helping hand while creating pathways to improve local seafood availability.”
Although not listed as threatened or endangered, California halibut are considered a key species in state aquaculture and recreational fisheries. Their support under the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program (OREHP) reflects their value to the regional economy and ecosystem. While white seabass has long been a focus of OREHP efforts, halibut joined the roster in 2014 as a secondary species of interest, with research led by HSWRI on spawning and juvenile development.
Each released fish carries a tiny coded wire tag implanted in its cheek, enabling scientists to monitor survival, movement, and eventual recapture in fisheries. The data will inform best practices for future releases and provide insights into how hatchery-raised halibut integrate into wild populations.
This year’s release is ten times larger than the institute’s 2020 halibut effort, and HSWRI is permitted to release up to 20,000 fish. With strong community support from recreational and commercial fishers, the program has successfully collected spawning adults to seed the hatchery population.
“Our goal is to demonstrate that we can raise these fish through their most vulnerable life stages on land, release them, and rebuild wild stocks that support sustainable seafood production,” said Danielle Haulsee, HSWRI’s Chief Science Officer.
Drawbridge added that this initiative is part of a broader conversation about seafood sustainability and food security. “Over 85% of the seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported, and more than half of that is farmed,” he said. “We’re working to localize that supply through responsible aquaculture that complements wild fisheries.”
The final 2,500 fish are scheduled for release Wednesday at Ski Beach, completing this week’s stocking event.
Recent Comments