Details:

Journal Title:
Marine and Coastal Fisheries
Personal Author:
TenBrink, Todd T.; Helser, Thomas E.;
TenBrink, Todd T.; Helser, Thomas E.; Less -
NOAA Program & Office:
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service); AFSC (Alaska Fisheries Science Center);
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service); AFSC (Alaska Fisheries Science Center); Less -
Description:
Many rockfish (genus Sebastes) species within multispecies complexes have lacked basic biological data hindering their fisheries management. In this study, we provide essential information for stock assessment decision making for one of these species, Harlequin Rockfish Sebastes variegatus. We analyzed aspects of reproduction, size structure, and growth of Harlequin Rockfish in waters off Alaska using historical survey data and recent field collections. Results are reported primarily from the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) region, but important findings are noted from the Aleutian Islands (AI). Harlequin Rockfish reached an observed maximum age of 76 years in the AI, a new estimate for this species. Females exhibited group-synchronous oocyte development; the parturition period occurred in the spring in both regions, ceasing as late as July in the GOA. Females from the GOA had an estimated length and age at 50% maturity of 187.6 mm (95% confidence limits [CL] = 152.0–215.6 mm; n = 318) and 4.7 years (95% CL = 1.6–6.2 years; n = 188), respectively, indicating that the Harlequin Rockfish is one of the earliest maturing rockfishes. We analyzed a 14-year time series of bottom trawl survey data to examine the relationship between Harlequin Rockfish length and selected covariates. Spatial heterogeneity existed, with size showing a relationship with bottom temperature and ocean color (productivity index) across the GOA. The comparison of Harlequin Rockfish length at age indicated that larger fish were present in the western GOA but variable growth occurred across the region. Our findings contribute to understanding Harlequin Rockfish biology within multispecies management complexes, and our results demonstrate that key life history traits vary spatially, possibly influenced by regional environmental conditions. This study represents the most comprehensive biological examination for Harlequin Rockfish.
Keywords:
[+]
Fishery Management
Fish Stock Assessment
Striped Bass
Aquatic Science
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior And Systematics

Source:
Marine and Coastal Fisheries, 13(5), 463-477
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1002/mcf2.10172
Document Type:
Journal Article;
Place as Subject:
Alaska, Gulf of (Alaska); Aleutian Islands (Alaska);
Alaska, Gulf of (Alaska); Aleutian Islands (Alaska); Less -
Rights Information:
CC BY
Compliance:
Submitted
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:90eef4b99375fd7720fc6c34f8c097bf3337b96fe753ce37a9f298a56022e6af
File Type:

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