In response to conservation concerns for inshore rockfish, Fisheries and Oceans Canada implemented a system of 164 rockfish conservation areas (RCAs) in British Columbia as part of the Rockfish Conservation Strategy. RCAs were established between 2004 and 2007. RCAs are not marine protected areas (MPAs) because they were not designated though any MPA legislative tool such as Canada’s Ocean Act, but rather through a fishery closure using the Fisheries Act. They can, however, be considered harvest refugia. Evaluations of the performance of RCAs have recently been undertaken by government agencies, academics, non- governmental organizations (NGOs) and First Nations. This report describes the most recent scientific research on RCAs. Research has been done using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), scuba surveys, hook-and-line fishing surveys, genetic analysis and compliance monitoring. Although some empirical research shows some RCAs are demonstrating an effect, most have not shown statistical differences in rockfish density among RCAs and non-RCA sites. One reason for this might be that RCAs are still considered to be “new” or “young” and it is thought that rockfish will take numerous years to respond to protection. REEF survey data for inshore rockfish and greenling species from Whytecliff Park between 1998 and 2013 were included in this report. Whytecliff Park is in West Vancouver, and was made the West Vancouver RCA in 2006.

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