California Scorpionfish
History of the Fishery sh mature at six inches (one year), over 50 percent are mature by seven inches (two years) and all reproduce by he California scorpionsh (Scorpaena guttata) is a nine inches (four years). Spawning occurs from April to Tvaluable commercial sh in southern California. For August, peaking in June and July. Scorpionsh are ovipa- many years, the shery experienced a long decline, with rous, have external fertilization, and females produce peak catches of 223,000 pounds in 1925 and uctuating eggs imbedded in the gelatinous walls of hollow, pear- catches thereafter. However, the rise of the live sh shaped “egg-balloons.” These paired structures, each ve shery in the 1990s led to the shery’s resurgence, as this to 10 inches long, are joined at their small ends. The walls species’ bright red color and hardiness after capture has of these “balloons” are about 0.1 inch thick, transparent made it a favorite target. Today, about 85 percent of the or greenish in color, and contain a single layer of eggs. commercial California scorpionsh catch goes to the live Each egg is about .05 inch in diameter. The egg masses sh shery. Catches in 1998 totaled about 75,000 pounds oat near the surface and the eggs hatch within ve valued at $175,000. Most sh are taken in traps or by days. Very young sh live in shallow water, hidden away hook-and-line. in habitats with dense algae and bottom-encrusting organ- California scorpionsh are a moderately important part isms. Small crabs are probably the most important food of the sport shery in southern California. They are of California scorpionsh, although other items, such as taken primarily from party boats and private vessels, and small shes, octopuses, shrimps and even pebbles are occasionally from piers and jetties, mostly from Point sometimes eaten. These animals are primarily nocturnal Mugu southward. and feed at night. Octopuses prey on small individuals. California scorpionsh make extensive spawning migra- tions in late spring and early summer, when most adults Status of Biological Knowledge move to 12 to 360 foot depths, forming large spawning aggregations on or near the bottom. During spawning, alifornia scorpionsh are easily distinguished from these aggregations rise up off the bottom, sometimes Cmost other California shes. They are a relatively approaching the surface. Spawning occurs in the same heavy-bodied species, with strong head and n spines, areas year after year, and it is likely that the same ranging in color from red to brown, often with purple sh return repeatedly to the same spawning ground. blotches and always covered with dark spots. They reach When spawning ends, the aggregations disperse and many a length of 17 inches. (though not all) of the sh move into shallower waters. California scorpionsh live from tide-pool depths to about The sharp spines on the dorsal, anal and pelvic ns are 600 feet (usually in about 20-450 feet) from Santa Cruz to poisonous. The toxin is produced in glands that lie at southern Baja California, and in the northern part of the the base of each spine and run up to the tip through a Gulf of California. Preferring warmer water, the species groove. A wound, although painful, is seldom fatal, and is common as far north as Santa Barbara. While they are bathing the wound in hot water can reduce the pain. The most abundant on hard bottom (such as rocky reefs, sewer heat alters the toxin’s structure making it harmless. One pipes and wrecks), they are also found on sand. should be careful not to make the water so hot as to California scorpionsh grow to 17 inches and some live damage tissue. at least 21 years. After four years of age, females grow faster than males and reach a larger size. Although a few Status of the Population
o population estimates exist for California scorpi- Nonsh. However, data from trawl studies conducted by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project and the Orange County Sanitation District from 1974-1993 show that there are substantial short-term uctuations in California scorpi- onsh abundance within the Southern California Bight.
California Scorpionfish,Scorpaena guttata Credit: DFG
California’s Marine Living Resources: CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 160 A Status Report December 2001 California Scorpionfish California 250 d
h 200
150
100 Commercial Landings 1916-1999, lifornia Scorpionfis California Scorpionfish Ca 50
thousands of pounds lande Data Source: DFG Catch 0 Bulletins and commercial 1916 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 1999 landing receipts.
Management Considerations 250
See the Management Considerations Appendix A for 200 further information. 150
100
Milton Love Scorpionfish California
thousands of fish landed 50 University of California, Santa Barbara 0 1947 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 1999 Recreational Catch 1947-1999, California Scorpionfish References CPFV = commercial passenger fishing vessel (Party Boat); Recreational catch as reported by CPFV logbooks, logbooks not reported prior to 1947. Love, M. S., B. Axell, P. Morris, R. Collins and A. Brooks. 1987. Life history and shery of the California scorpi- onsh, Scorpaena guttata, within the southern California Bight. Fish. Bull. US 85(1):99-116. Stull, J. K. and C.-L. Tang. 1996. Demersal sh trawls off Palos Verdes, southern California, 1973-1993. Calif. Coop. Oceanic Res. Rep. 37:211-240.
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME California’s Marine Living Resources: December 2001 A Status Report 161