Northwest and Alaska Fisheries Center (U.S.)

Yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera) is a major fishery resource of the eastern Bering Sea, ranking second in abundance only to walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma). Yellowfin sole are relatively small, slow-growing flatfish. They averaged 26.5 cm (10.4 in) and 27.7 cm (10.9 in) in foreign trawl catches in 1979 and 1980, respectively. These sizes are representative of fish 11-12 yr of age. Even at the oldest ages (15-20 yr), most of the fish average less than 1 lb. Recent commercial catches have ranged between 87,000 and 99,000 metric tons (t) annually. However, the population is presently capable of supporting larger catches.

Technical Memorandum