Modeling submergence success of discarded yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) and quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger): Towards improved estimation of total fishery removals

► Random forests classification models to predict the submergence success of discarded yelloweye and quillback rockfish. ► Capture depth is the best predictor of yelloweye rockfish submergence success. ► An impairment index, and not capture depth, is the best predictor of quillback rockfish submergence success. ► Models of Pacific rockfish submergence probability will improve estimation of discard mortality and total fishery removals.