Rockfish species to be released off Southern California

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Sixty cabezon juveniles will be released into the Southern California waters Friday, researchers at the Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute in San Diego announced Wednesday.

Cabezon were once a popular sport fish, but overfishing depleted the population. A fully grown cabezon can reach 25 pounds.

If successful, the release ‘could rebuild rockfish populations much sooner than nature working alone,’ said Don Kent, president of Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute.

--Tony Perry, in San Diego