1_ ACC nIIiv rv CTATI-r'AcIT I _ r r -LIL I III cLIVILcl I Management of Pacific Rockfish By S. J. Parker, S. A. Berkeley, J. T. Golden, D. R. Gunderson, J. Heifetz, M. A. Hixon, R. Larson, B. M. Leaman, M. S. Love, J. A. Musick, V. M. O'Connell, S. Ralston, H. J. Weeks, and M. M. Yoklavich

POLICY The American Fisheries Society (AFS) recognizes the need for conservative and robust manage- ment of Pacific rockfishes because of naturally low population growth, the overfished state of many of the stocks, and complex nature of the mixed-stock fisheries (60-plus species). The AFS recom- mends that catch information be collected on a species-specific basis, and that management targets also be established on a species-specific basis including species taken as bycatch. Such management will require accurate studies of discards at sea. Reduction in rockfish discards should be a manage- ment priority in all fisheries which capture significant numbers of rockfish. The AFS further recom- mends establishment of adequate fishery independent surveys to more accurately assess and moni- tor rockfish stocks. The AFS supports the establishment of systems of Marine Protected Areas to protect the habitat of Pacific rockfish and to promote recovery of stocks. Such areas should be estab- lished along with traditional management measures to control fishing mortality. Regardless of the management strategy used, substantial decreases in fishing mortality must be achieved soon to avoid stock collapses. The AFS encourages its members to become involved by providing technical information needed for protection of rockfish to international, federal, state, and provincial policy makers so decisions are made on a scientific, rather than emotional or political, basis.

A. Issue definition relatively low intrinsic rates of Gunderson 1996). Many species have The Pacific rockfishes (genus increase (Adams 1980). As part of the sex-specific growth rates, which can ) comprise the core of the Society's objective to promote the result in differential age-at-maturity U.S. Pacific Coast bottom fish fish- conservation, development, and and sex-specific natural mortality ery. The genus consists of more than wise use of fisheries, this paper rates (Love et al. 1990; Lenarz and 100 species worldwide, with more describes the interaction between Wyllie Echeverria 1991). Typically, than 60 found off the , the life history patterns of rockfish their growth pattern results in many Oregon, and coasts, and fishing mortality, and recom- species attaining marketable size at or more than 30 found further north in mends management actions to prior to maturity, and some attaining Canada and , and 28 in the ensure stable rockfish populations for lengths greater than 50 cm at the age Northwest Pacific (Clay and Kench- the future. of 50% maturity (Love et al. 1990; Haldorson and Love 1991; Beverton ington 1986; Kendall 1991; Lea et al. B. Background 1999). A closely related and commer- 1992; Gunderson 1997). Delayed Downloaded by [Oregon State University] at 13:44 22 November 2011 cially important genus, also common- Life history. Pacific rockfish are maturity, a long reproductive life ly referred to as rockfish, is Sebastolo- some of the longest-lived fishes span, and reproducing multiple bus, the thornyheads, containing three known, with maximum ages for many times are adaptive responses to a Pacific Coast species. The rockfish are species spanning more than 50 years, low probability of successful repro- an extremely successful group and are and some approaching 150 years duction in any given year (Giesel 1976; represented in every habitat from (Archibald et al. 1981; Leaman and Leaman and Beamish 1984). This Mexico to the Aleutian Islands, and Beamish 1984; Love et al. 1990). The reproductive strategy is the rule for from intertidal waters to depths age of 50% maturity is variable rockfish. greater than 1,500 m. Despite this among species but is typically 5-7 Although rockfish are sometimes diversity, the attributes they share years, and may be as late as 20 years reported as being ovoviviparous make them extremely vulnerable to in some species (Wyllie Echeverria (bearing live young without maternal fishing pressure. Using AFS produc- 1987; Barss 1989; Love et al. 1990; nutrition), many studies have con- tivity criteria, rockfishes are classi- O'Connell and Fujioka 1991). Several firmed that they are a primitive fied in the very low productivity cat- studies have shown geographical viviparous group and supply nutri- egory (Musick 1999a, 1999b). Species variation in age-at-maturity depend- ents to developing embryos (Boehlert in this category cannot sustain high ing on latitude and depth (Gunderson and Yoklavich 1984; Boehlert et al. fishing mortality because their et al. 1980; Pearson and Hightower 1991; Wourms 1991; Hopkins et al. reproductive strategies limit them to 1991; Eldridge and Jarvis 1994; 1995; MacFarlane and Bowers 1995;

22 * Fisheries Vol. 25, No. 3 ArC nlf rV CT1TAT TCVI _IR· Mr3 rLIL ,I 3 II LIVICI I Il

Beckmann et al. 1998). The number fish possess well-developed swim Reproductive success appears then to of eggs produced at the 50% maturity bladders and are subject to embolism, be restricted to narrow spatial and age commonly range from 2,000 to so many do not survive being brought temporal windows when conditions 500,000 eggs per year, with maximum- to the surface. However, some inves- are favorable for larval survival. length individuals of some species tigators have deflated rockfish swim- Although many general life history producing several million eggs (Gun- bladders prior to tagging, or used in traits are known for the Sebastes derson et al. 1980; Love et al. 1990; situ tagging, thus increasing survivor- genus, few species have been studied Haldorson and Love 1991). Most spe- ship. These studies demonstrated that in detail (Moser 1967; Leaman 1991, cies copulate in the fall, but sperm some species show site fidelity and Love et al. 1998b). This is another may be stored and fertilization may some ability to home after minor dis- common theme with rockfish: a lack not take place until several weeks placements, though some have shown of stock status and biological informa- later (Wyllie Echeverria 1987; Love et substantial movements (Mathews and tion, especially on commercially al. 1990). An exception is in the Sebas- Barker 1983; O'Connell 1991; Pearcy exploited species. Basic parameters tolobus genus where buoyant, egg 1992; Stanely et al. 1994; Carlson et such as maximum age, natural mortal- masses are released and fertilization is al. 1995). Species-specific movements ity rates, fecundity, and age at maturi- believed to be external (Pearcy 1962; depend on latitude, and oceano- ty have only been measured for a lim- Erickson and Pikitch 1993). Copula- graphic conditions (Leaman 1991). ited number of the exploited species, tion has been observed in very few Relatively poor ocean conditions especially the diverse near-shore spe- species of Sebastes, so little is known for the past two decades may have cies (Love et al. 1990). Even for many about courtship or mating behavior reduced recruitment success in some commercially harvested species, much (Helvey 1982; Shinomiya and Ezaki California-Oregon species (Ralston needed information concerning stock 1991; Gingras et al. 1998). The female and Howard 1995). In contrast, in identification, genetic diversity, retains the embryos for 4-5 weeks waters off Alaska and northern British spawning behavior, bycatch levels, until hatching (Boehlert and Yoklavich Columbia above average recruitment total removals, and migration patterns 1984), and parturition generally occurs has occurred in recent years for some are not known or are based on limited in winter or spring for more southerly rockfish species (e.g., Pacific ocean data from small geographic areas. populations and spring or summer in perch, Sebastes alutus) (Richards and Fishery history and status. northerly populations (O'Connell 1987; Olsen 1996; Heifetz et al. 1999). A Washington, Oregon, and California Yoklavich et al. 1996). In most species, dominant feature of rockfish repro- waters. Rockfish have been commer- reproduction occurs annually, but the duction is a pattern of infrequent and cially harvested since the mid-1800s in production of multiple broods occurs irregular years with successful recruit- California, but not until the 1940s in some species and may be related ment during periods with favorable along much of the northwest coast to environmental conditions (Wyllie environmental conditions, and many (Lenarz 1987). In the mid-1960s, foreign Echeverria 1987; Love et al. 1990). years with poor recruitment (Leaman factory trawlers targeted Pacific ocean Generally, the larvae are found in and Beamish 1984; Botsford et al. 1994; perch, with annual catches exceeding the upper mixed zone of the ocean for Ralston and Howard 1995). However, 20,000 metric tons (mt) until passage a variable period of time, before an entire year class may not experi- of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery metamorphosing into juveniles, ence favorable environmental condi- Conservation and Management Act in which move closer to shore as they tions because of variation in the tim- 1976 (Ianelli and Zimmerman 1998). grow during the spring months (Lar- ing of larval release. Recent research Currently, rockfish are harvested main- son et al. 1994). After several more by Berkeley and Markle (1999) has ly with bottom trawl gear (89%), with months, juveniles of many species shown that older (S. other gears used especially near shore Downloaded by [Oregon State University] at 13:44 22 November 2011 move to deeper adult habitats (Love melanops) release larvae earlier in the and in high relief areas (hook and line et al. 1998a). Adults are typically asso- season followed by progressively (9%) and other gears (2%)) (PacFIN ciated with structure, though some younger fish, and that successful 1999a; PacFIN 1999b). Recreational species are found on flat muddy bot- recruitment may come from a rela- catches have been decreasing steadily toms and others are semi-pelagic tively restricted time period within from 8,000 mt in the early 1980s, and (Richards 1986; Matthews 1991; the spawning season. This pattern have recently amounted to near 2,000 O'Connell and Carlile 1993; Krieger has also been observed in dark- mt (PFMC) 1999). Much of the recre- 1998). Some closely related species are blotched rockfish (S. crameri) (Nichol ational harvest has been focused on segregated spatially at the scale of and Pikitch 1994) and yellowtail rock- nearshore species such as black rock- microhabitats (Larson 1980; Hallacher fish (S. flavidus) (Eldridge et al. 1991). In fish, (S. mystinus), and and Roberts 1985; Leaman 1991; Stein another study, Larson et al. (1998) (S. caurinus) (RecFIN et al. 1992; Murie et al. 1993). As found that recruits of shortbelly rock- database 2000, Pacific States Marine adults, rockfish are thought to be rela- fish (S. jordani) exhibited reduced Fisheries Commission, Gladstone, tively sedentary, though some genetic variability compared to the OR). For these species and other species may make considerable move- adult population, suggesting that sur- nearshore species, recreational har- ments (Pearcy 1992; Lea et al. 1999). viving young of the year are the prod- vest is much greater than commer- Tagging studies to observe movement ucts of reproduction by only a small cial harvest and has had dramatic patterns are confounded because rock- fraction of the adult population. impacts on population abundance

March 2000 Fisheries * 23 AFS POLICY STATEMENT

and structure, especially in California assessments (Ralston 1998; NMFS 1999a, the loss of significant spawning bio- (Love et al. 1998b; Mason 1998). Typical- PFMC 1999). Only 1 of 12 near-shore mass and a distinct segment of the pop- ly, the Pacific Fishery Management rockfish species impacted by commer- ulation that may determine recruitment Council (PFMC) sets optimum yield cial live-fish and recreational fisheries success in some years (Berkeley and recommendations for the Washington- has been fully assessed. Of those that Markle 1999). For example, large Oregon-California region on an annual have full assessments, 5 of 10 are con- decreases in the biomass of large, hence basis for individual species or species sidered above or near target biomass, old, females and a corresponding complexes, and regulates their harvest 1 is below the target, and 4 are over- decrease in mean age has been docu- (including discard) through the use of fished (less than 25% of original stock mented for black rockfish, canary rock- quotas, trip limits, gear restrictions, and biomass). The implementation of the fish, and , among time/area closures, to ensure a year- Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 now others (Gunderson 1977; Love et al. round fishery (PFMC 1993; Ralston requires rebuilding plans for stocks 1998b; Berkeley and Markle 1999). 1998). Total harvest of rockfish in the identified as overfished and includes Given that rockfish are categorized as Washington-California management decreases in fishing mortality. In 1999, very low productivity species using area ranged between 22,000-50,000 mt the PFMC instituted rebuilding plans AFS criteria, many of these species for bocaccio (S. paucispin- would now be listed as vulnerable and o is), and Pacific ocean warrant further consideration for pro- perch, which were at tection (Musick 1999a). Indeed, the levels of 2%, and 13% of (S. auriculatus), copper the estimated "virgin" rockfish, and (S. biomass (PFMC 1999). It maliger) of Puget Sound are under sta- is expected that rebuild- tus review for listing under the Endan-

ua ing plans for canary rock- gered Species Act (NMFS 1999b). An fish (S. pinniger) and cow- additional 11 rockfish species from cod (S. levis) will be Puget Sound are not under review instituted in 2000 (PFMC because of insufficient information on 1999). The standard man- stock identification and species-specific It is expected that the PFMC will institute agement scheme for rockfish off the trends in abundance. rebuilding plans for U.S. coast has been to manage for a One of the main obstacles in harvest (Sebastes pinniger) in 2000. fishing mortality of F4 0%, as a rate management of rockfish has been the that will approach the maximum sus- accurate assessment of bycatch. Even tainable yield. This rate is defined as with conservative harvest limits, rock- during the 1990s, and has been steadily the fishing mortality that reduces the fish are captured at significant levels in decreasing throughout the decade spawning potential per recruit to 40% many different fisheries. Discard levels (PFMC 1999). The catch has been of the unfished condition (Clark for rockfish vary with a number of fac- worth more than $30,000,000 annually 1993). New evaluations of this fishing tors but are estimated at usually (PFMC 1999). rate question this target based on the between 15% and 30% of the catch (PFMC Data on the harvest of individual particular life-history constraints of 1997). Much of the discard is a result of species are limited because many spe- each species (Ralston 1999). the management approach (species-spe- cies are categorized as "near-shore," Evidence has accumulated for sub- cific or assemblage groups with trip or "shelf," and "slope" complexes for stantial declines in the abundance of period landing limits), other regula- management purposes (PFMC 1999). many species of rockfish from Wash- tions (such as gear characteristics), and Downloaded by [Oregon State University] at 13:44 22 November 2011 Estimates of species composition are ington to California (Gunderson 1996; market conditions (Pikitch et al. 1988). dependent on sub-sampling of a vari- Ralston 1998; Love et al. 1998a; Love et Actual levels are not known because no able number of trips among the ports al. 1998b; PFMC 1999). These studies observer program exists to document (Sampson et al. 1997). In recent years, and fishery independent surveys have bycatch and discard. Some species are a rapidly growing live-fish fishery tracked juvenile abundance, recreation- not marketed at all, and most are only (fish marketed alive) has developed in al harvest, and commercial harvest marketable after exceeding 30 cm in California and Oregon, placing new over the past 15-20 years and show dra- length, resulting in undocumented dis- commercial fishing pressure on near- matic declining trends of abundance. card for almost all species captured. shore rockfish species traditionally har- The impacts of the developing live-fish Because most are dead or moribund vested in the recreational fishery, such fishery on near-shore rockfish species at capture, mortality rates of discarded as (S. nebulosus) and in addition to the normal recreational rockfish approach 100%. The mortality grass rockfish (S. rastrelliger)(Love and harvest are unknown because the sta- rate for those entrained in trawls but Johnson 1998; Bloeser 1999; W. H. Barss, tus of most of these species has never escaping because of their small size Oregon Department of Fish and Wild- been assessed (Love and Johnson has not been estimated. With no accu- life, Newport, pers. comm.). 1998). Because the largest, oldest, most rate levels of bycatch available, there is Of the 54 species of rockfish that are fecund individuals are selectively cap- little confidence in total harvest levels commercially harvested and managed tured as fisheries intensify, age distri- or in harvest composition for many by PFMC, only 10 have had full stock butions have become truncated with rockfish fisheries.

24 * Fisheries Vol. 25, No. 3 AFS POLICY STATEMENT

Alaskan waters. Rockfish have been assessments. Even with low harvest rate impose on the population's ability to commercially harvested off of Alaska strategies however, sedentary and spa- recover from reductions in abundance since the early 1900s, but in the early tially isolated species such as yelloweye (Giesel 1976; Leaman 1991). Long-term 1960s a massive Pacific ocean perch rockfish (S. ruberrimus) and shortraker sustainability requires the use of the trawl fishery by the U.S.S.R. and Japan rockfish (S. borealis) require a spatial precautionary principle when setting rapidly developed. Catches peaked in component added to management to and estimating fishing mortality (Bots- the mid 1960s, when a total of nearly prevent localized depletion (O'Connell ford et al. 1997; Dayton 1998). The nec- 500,000 mt were caught off of Alaska et al. 1999). essary management action must be to (Heifetz et al. 1999; Ito et al. 1999). This The NPFMC and the Alaska Depart- decrease fishing mortality to restore apparent overfishing resulted in a pre- ment of Fish and Game regulate the population stability, structure, and cipitous decline in catches in the late harvest (including discard) through the diversity. This means that management 1960s, which continued through the use of time/area closures and maxi- should consider not just the magnitude 1970s. By the mid-1980s catches were mum allowable bycatch restrictions to of fishing mortality, but how it is dis- less than 10,000 mt. A similar trend ensure that area-specific total mortality tributed spatially and demographically occurred off Canada, with peak catches levels are not exceeded. A mandatory as well. With these goals, fishing mor- of about 66,000 mt in 1966 followed by observer program for vessels greater tality can be reduced and managed a steep decline thereafter (Westrheim than 60 ft in length has been in place through a number of diverse, yet com- 1987). Currently, the largest fisheries off since early 1990s to collect biological plementary actions. No single action is the Pacific Coast occur in Alaska with a data and provide data critical for esti- robust to human error or ingenuity, so total catch of rockfish of about 42,200 mating discard rates and total mortali- all management actions must be imple- mt in 1999 (NPFMC 1999). Historically, ty for individual rockfish species. mented in concert and with constant bottom trawls have accounted for Other management measures that evaluation and enforcement. Obvious- most of the commercial harvest of rock- may have provided some benefit to ly, a direct reduction in total mortality fish, though a sizeable portion is also rockfish have included a trawl ban in is needed given the reproductive con- captured by longline. Recently, pelagic the Eastern Gulf of Alaska and a straints of rockfishes and the status of trawls have been used for Pacific ocean rebuilding plan for Pacific ocean perch many of the assessed species. Along perch, and black rockfish have been (Ianelli and Heifetz 1995). The NPFMC with lower harvest levels, changes in taken mostly by jig gear. recently passed an amendment to re- the quota management system (e.g., use Life history and stock status infor- quire full retention of demersal shelf of low trip limits, short fishing periods, mation is lacking for many species of rockfish, allowing sale of bycatch up a year round fishery) must occur to rockfish managed in Alaskan waters as to the allowable bycatch rate with the decrease or eliminate regulatory- well. The North Pacific Fishery Man- remainder of fish forfeited to the state. induced discard, and observe the by- agement Council (NPFMC) categorizes The Alaska Board of Fisheries is consid- catch and discard that does occur. the information available on each stock ering similar regulations for all rock- Given the uncertainties associated with into one of six tiers. Stocks categorized fish species taken in state-managed stock assessment and the mixed-species in tiers 1 through 3 are comparable to fisheries. Efforts are also underway to nature of rockfish fisheries, regulating PMFC stocks with full assessments (Pacif- explore alternative methods to assess landings through trip limits and esti- ic ocean perch and thornyheads are the rockfish abundance because of prob- mating bycatch while ensuring an ade- only 2 of 32 species of rockfish with this lems associated with current trawl sur- quate stock size for recovery could level of information) (NPFMC 1999). vey methodology (Heifetz et al. 1999; result in extremely low or only inciden- However, the NPFMC has taken a con- Quinn et al. 1999). tal harvest levels for some species that servative approach to rockfish manage- Management approach. Manage- are not overfished. This is essentially Downloaded by [Oregon State University] at 13:44 22 November 2011 ment and no species are considered ment of Pacific overfished in the waters of Alaska. Since rockfishes has been in this region, the rockfish have complicated and 1988 gn been divided into management assem- slow at best in its blages based on their habitat, distribu- adaptation to new tion, and commercial catch composi- information (Lea- 01; tion. Beginning in 1991, the NPFMC man 1991; Ralston divided the assemblages into several 1998). Populations subgroups; established to protect the most have shown little at sought-after commercial species in the response to the assemblage from possible overfishing. management mea- oson The NPFMC sets annual harvest sures used to date, levels for each management group mostly because after considering factors such as eco- these measures fail nomics and bycatch. These harvest to consider the levels are typically less than or equal to constraints that the maximum allowable levels based reproductive strate- The quillback rockfish (S.maliger) is under status review for listing on species- or assemblage-specific stock gies of rockfish under the Endangered dSpecies Act.

March 2000 Fisheries * 25 AFS POLICY STATEMENT

the approach that the PFMC took in (Allison et al. 1998; Roberts 1998; Starr the current management system, as their rebuilding plans for bocaccio and 1998). Evaluation of MPA effectiveness well as the development of MPAs for Pacific ocean perch; with similar actions will require intensive sampling and use as supplemental fisheries manage- planned for canary rockfish and cow- habitat evaluation of the reserve area as ment tools as follows. cod in 2000 (PFMC 1999). well as adjacent areas for comparison. * Reduce fishing mortality by estab- Another aspect of a diverse manage- Because implementing MPAs will not lishing reduced harvest levels and ment plan is to reduce fishing effort have immediate effects at the ecosystem designing management systems to through a decrease in the number of level, sampling and evaluation will reduce bycatch and discard. vessels or a decrease in fishing time. need to occur for a significant period of * Determine total mortalities by Although the efficiency of remaining time (starting prior to MPA implemen- species, including mortalities associat- vessels can increase through time, a tation) and requires a long term com- ed with recreational and subsistence substantial reduction in vessels would mitment for success (Carr and Reed fishing to allow the total catch of each quickly reduce effort and decrease regu- 1993; Palsson 1998). species to be monitored with high latory-induced discard because fewer Conclusion. Several life history confidence. trips would be made when approaching characteristics of Pacific rockfish require * Establish mechanisms to limit har- a harvest period limit or a vessel's limit that they be managed more conserva- vest to the targets established each year, for a target species. Some efforts are tively than most marine fishes. Apply- and set limits for each species, not underway from within the fishing indus- ing the precautionary principle to these groups of species, where weak stocks try to reduce the size of the fleet to a species will require decreases in fishing can be overfished. more sustainable number of vessels and mortality rates and management strate- * Collect species-specific information to train fishers for careers in other areas. gies that protect the physical habitat, on age, maturity, fecundity, location and In addition to reduced harvest rates, allow for a full complement of age conditions of capture. Baseline data col- a significant portion of each population classes, and prevent recruitment over- lection on unexploited species should and its habitat must be protected in no- fishing throughout the entire geograph- begin before major fisheries develop. take reserves or Marine Protected Areas ic range of the stock. Uncertainty associ- * Document and monitor bycatch (MPAs), where populations may be pro- ated with actual harvest levels, and discard rates at sea to calculate tected from harvest of any kind (Mur- spawning biomass, and annual recruit- accurate estimates of fishing mortali- ray et al. 1999). Marine protected areas ment must be buffered with conserva- ty. Develop mechanisms to reduce the can be used to protect ecosystem struc- tion measures such as reduced fishing bycatch of rockfish in non-rockfish ture and function, increase scientific mortality, long-term species-specific fisheries, and to reduce the capture of understanding of management actions, monitoring, habitat protection, and pro- unmarketable sizes or species in all and enhance non-extractive activities, tection of a significant portion of the fisheries. while benefiting fish populations population through the use of appropri- * Establish adequate fishery inde- (Lauck et al. 1998; Hall 1998; Murray ately designed MPAs (Lauck et al. pendent surveys and develop new et al. 1999). Several small marine 1998). The population dynamics of survey techniques to monitor popula- reserves currently exist in California rockfishes require that these manage- tion abundance and promote accurate and Washington, but these were not ment actions be taken quickly, but as stock assessments. designed for use as commercial fishery part of a multifaceted adaptive manage- * Managers should buffer fishing refuges (McArdle 1998; Palsson 1998). ment framework to have the greatest pressure against variability in stock However, evaluations of these approach- potential to address these issues while recruitment levels and unforeseen fish- es, and models of MPA systems in Alas- allowing a significant mixed-species ing mortality effects by protecting a ka appear to show promise for rockfish fishery to continue. portion of each population and its habi- Downloaded by [Oregon State University] at 13:44 22 November 2011 populations (Soh et al. 1998). tat through the use of marine protect- An effective system of MPAs must C. Needed actions ed areas. Experimental marine protect- consider the ecology and community The AFS recognizes the need for con- ed areas should be implemented as structure of those species to be protect- servative management of the Pacific part of an adaptive management ed as well as the dynamics of the entire rockfishes because of the low rebound framework to develop effective criteria ecosystem. For example, Walters and potentials and over-fished state of many for conserving rockfish populations. Bonfil (1999) showed that the mobility of the species and complex nature of the They should be designed to protect of some species could reduce the pro- mixed-species fisheries (60-plus spe- multiple species, their habitats, demo- tection afforded by MPAs. However, it cies). The end result must be robust to graphic and genetic structure, and is generally recognized that we have uncertainty with a low fishing mortal- community structure. sufficient understanding of the manage- ity on each species, dictated by the * In addition to reductions in fish- ment problems associated with many biological constraint of a limited and ing mortality through direct reduc- species of rockfish to design and imple- unpredictable ability for population tions in catch and through population ment effective MPAs (Yoklavich 1998). growth. Because large changes in protection, decreases in fishing effort To be effective, these systems must be management strategy will take time, must occur. Therefore, managers designed to meet specific goals and both to implement and to have should immediately implement pro- undergo intensive periodic evaluations effects, we recommend reductions in grams that effectively reduce fishing to measure the ecosystem response fishing mortality through changes in effort, such as fleet-size reduction,

26 * Fisheries Vol. 25, No. 3 AFS POLICY STATEMENT

training for alternative careers, and necessary but not sufficient for marine harvest refuges: examples from tem- community assistance programs. conservation. Ecol. Appl. 8(Supple- perate reef fishes. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. * All of these recommendations re- ment): S79-S92. Sci. 50:2019-2028. quire substantial effort and infrastruc- Archibald, C. P., W. Shaw, and B. M. Lea- Clark, W. G. 1993. The effect of recruit- ture for implementation and evaluation. man. 1981. Growth and mortality esti- ment variability on the choice of a tar- The AFS recommends high priority for mates of rockfishes (Scorpaenidae) get level of spawning biomass per recruit. Pages 233-246 in Proceedings funding of research and management from B.C. coastal waters 1977-1979. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1048. of the international symposium on activities necessary to ensure stable Pacific Barss, W. H. 1989. Maturity and reproduc- management strategies for exploited rockfish populations in the future. )_ tive cycle for 35 species from the Fami- fish populations. Alaska Sea Grant Col- ly Scorpaenidae found off Oregon. lege Program, AK-SG-93-02, Anchorage. researchfisheries biolo- S. J. Parker is a Oregon Department of Fish and Wild- Clay, D., and T. J. Kenchington. 1986. gist for the Oregon Department of Fish and life Information Report, 89-7, Portland. World bibliography of the redfishes and Wildlife (ODFW) Marine Resources Pro- Beckmann, A. T., D. R. Gunderson, B. S. rockfishes (Sebastinae, Scorpaenidae). gram in Newport. S. A. Berkeley isfaculty Miller, R. M. Buckley, and B. Goetz. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1429. research assistant at the Hatfield Marine 1998. Reproductive biology, growth, Dayton, P. K. 1998. Reversal of the bur- Science Center in Newport, Oregon. He is and natural mortality of Puget Sound den of proof in fisheries management. also president of the AFS Marine Fisheries rockfish, Sebastes emphaeus (Starks Science 279:821-822. Section. J. T. Golden is a resource assess- 1911). Fish. Bull. 96(2):352-356. Eldridge, M. B., and B. M. Jarvis. 1994. ment and analysis program managerforthe Berkeley, S. A., and D. Markle. 1999. Temporal and spatial variation in ODFW Marine Resources Program in Effects of fishing-induced age trunca- fecundity of . Trans. Newport. D. R. Gunderson is a professor tion on recruitment and reproductive Am. Fish. Soc. 124(1):16-25. in the School of Fisheries at the University potential in black rockfish (Sebastes Eldridge, M. B., J. A. Whipple, M. J. of Washington in Seattle. J. Heifetz is a melanops). Final report to Oregon Sea Bowers, B. M. Jarvis, and J. Gold. fishery research biologist at the National Grant, R/OPF-46, Corvallis. 1991. Reproductive performance of yel- Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Auke Beverton, R. J. H. 1992. Patterns of repro- lowtail rockfish, Sebastesflavidus. Envi- Bay, Alaska, laboratory.M. A. Hixon is a ductive strategy parameters in some ron. Biol. Fish. 30:91-102. professor of marine ecology in the Depart- marine teleost fishes. J. Fish. Biol. Erickson, D. L., and E. K. Pikitch. 1993. A ment of Zoology at Oregon State Universi- 41:137-160. histological description of the short- Bloeser, J. 1999. Diminishing returns: the spine thornyhead, alas- ty in Corvallis. R. Larson is a professor in status of West Coast groundfish. Pacific canus, ovaries: structures associated the Department of Biology at San Francisco Marine Conservation Council, Astoria, with the production of gelatinous egg State University in California. B. M. Lea- OR. masses. Environ. Biol. Fish. 36:273-282. of the Interna- man is executive director Boehlert, G. W., and M. M. Yoklavich. Giesel, J.T. 1976. Reproductive strategies tional Pacific Halibut Commission in Seat- 1984. Reproduction, embryonic ener- as adaptations to life in temporally het- tle, Washington. M. S. Love is an associate getics, and the maternal-fetal relation- erogeneous environments. Annu. Rev. research biologist in the Marine Science ship in the viviparous genus Sebastes Ecol. Syst. 7:57-79. Institute at the University of California in (Pisces: Scorpaenidae). Biol. Bull. Gingras, M. L., D. A. Ventresca, M. D. Santa Barbara. J. A. Musick is head of Ver- (Woods Hole) 167:354-370. Donnellan, and J. L. Fisher. 1998. First tebrate Ecology and Systematics programs Boehlert, G. W., M. S. Love, J. P. Wourms, observations of vermillion rockfish at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and J. Yamada. 1991. A summary of the courtship are from a harvest refuge. in Gloucester Point; V. M. O'Connell is symposium on rockfishes and recom- Calif. Fish. Game 84(4):176-179. Groundfish Project leader at the Alaska mendations for future research. Envi- Gunderson, D. R. 1977. Population biolo- Department of Fish and Game in Sitka. S. ron. Biol. Fish. 30:273-280. gy of Pacific Ocean perch, Sebastes alu- Downloaded by [Oregon State University] at 13:44 22 November 2011 Ralston is at the NMFS Tiburon, Califor- Botsford, L. W., C. L. Moloney, A. Hast- tus, stocks in the Washington-Queen nia, laboratory. H. I. Weeks is extension ings, J. L. Largier, T. M. Powell, K. Charlotte Sound region, and their facultyfor marinefisheries at Oregon State Higgins, and J. E Quinn. 1994. The response to fishing. Fish. Bull. University Sea Grant Extension in New- influence of spatially and temporally 75(2):369-403. port. M. M. Yoklavich is a researchfishery varying oceanographic conditions on Gunderson, D. R. 1996. Spatial patterns in biologist at the NMFS Long Marine Labo- meroplanktonic metapopulations. the dynamics of slope rockfish stocks ratory in Santa Cruz, California. This arti- Deep-Sea Res. Part II: Top. Stud. and their implications for manage- ment. Fish. Bull. 95:219-230. cle represents the views of the American Oceanogr. 41:107-145. Botsford, L. W., J. C. Castilla, and C. H. -____. 1997. Trade-off between reproduc- Fisheries Society and not necessarily the Peterson. 1997. The management of tive effort and adult survival in ovi- authors' organizations or agencies. fisheries and marine ecosystems. Sci- parous and viviparous fishes. Can. J. ence 277:509-515. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 54:990-998. References Carlson, H. R., R. E. Haight, and J. H. Gunderson, D.R., P. Callahan, and B. Adams, P. B. 1980. Life history patterns Helle. 1995. Initial behavior of dis- Goiney. 1980. Maturation and fecundi- in marine fishes and their conse- placed yellowtail rockfish Sebastes ty of four species of Sebastes. Mar. Fish. quences for fisheries management. flavidus in Lynn Canal, Southeast Alas- Rev. 42:74-79. Fish. Bull. 78:1-12. ka. Alaska Fish. Res. Bull. 2(1):76-80. Haldorson, L, and M. Love. 1991. Maturi- Allison, G. W., J. Lubchenco, and M. H. Carr, M. H., and D. C. Reed. 1993. Con- ty and fecundity in the rockfishes, Carr. 1998. Marine reserves are ceptual issues relevant to marine Sebastes spp., a review. Mar. Fish. Rev.

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53(2):25-31. Washington and Oregon as assessed in 87-2, Anchorage. Hall, S. 1998. Closed areas for fisheries 1998 in Appendix: status of the Pacific Lenarz, W. H., and T. Wyllie Echeverria. management-the case consolidates. Coast groundfish fishery through 1998 1991. Sexual dimorphism in Sebastes. Trends Ecol. Evol. 13(8):297-298. and recommended acceptable biologi- Environ. Biol. Fish. 30:71-80. Hallacher, L.E., and D. A. Roberts. 1985. cal catches for 1999: stock assessment Love, M. S., and K. Johnson. 1998. As- Differential utilization of space and and fishery evaluation. Pacific Fishery pects of the life histories of grass rock- food by the inshore rockfishes (Scor- Management Council, Portland, OR. fish, ,and brown paenidae: Sebastes) of Carmel Bay, Cali- Ito, D. H., P. D. Spencer, and J. N. Ianelli. rockfish, S. auriculatus,from southern fornia. Environ. Biol. Fish. 12(2):91-110. 1999. Pacific Ocean perch in Stock California. Fish. Bull. 87:100-109. Heifetz, J., J. Ianelli, D. M. Clausen, and assessment and fishery evaluation Love, M.S., P. Morris, M. McCrae, and R. J. T. Fujioka. 1999. Slope rockfish in report for the 2000 Bering Sea and Collins. 1990. Life history aspects of 19 Stock assessment and fishery evalua- Aleutian Islands groundfish fishery. rockfish species (Scorpaenidae: Sebastes) tion report for the 2000 Gulf of Alaska North Pacific Fishery Management from the southern California Bight. groundfish fishery. North Pacific Fishery Council, Anchorage, AK. NOAA-TR-NMFS-87, La Jolla, CA. Management Council, Anchorage, AK. Kendall, Jr., A. W. 1991. Systematics and Love, M. S., J. E. Caselle, and K. Herbin- Helvey, M. 1982. First observations of identification of larvae and juveniles of son. 1998a. Declines in nearshore rock- courtship behavior in rockfish, genus the genus Sebastes. Environ. Biol. Fish. fish recruitment and populations in the Sebastes. Copeia 4:763-770. 30:173-190. southern California Bight as measured Hopkins, T. E., M. B. Eldridge, and J. J. Krieger, K. 1998. Distribution and abun- by impingement rates in coastal gener- Cech, Jr. 1995. Metabolic costs of dance of , Sebastes ating stations. Fish. Bull. 96:492-501. viviparity in yellowtail rockfish, borealis, and , S. aleu- Love, M. S., J. E. Caselle, and W. Van Sebastesflavidus. Environ. Biol. Fish. tianus, determined from a manned sub- Buskirk. 1998b. A severe decline in the 43:77-84. mersible. Fish. Bull. 97:264-272. commercial passenger fishing vessel Ianelli, J. N., and J. Heifetz. 1995. Deci- Larson, R. J. 1980. Competition, habitat rockfish (Sebastes spp.) catch in the sion analysis of alternative harvest selection, and the bathymetric segrega- southern California Bight 1980-1996. policies for the Gulf of Alaska Pacific tion of two rockfish (Sebastes) species. Calif. Coop. Ocean. Fish. Investig. Rep. ocean perch fishery. Fish. Res. 24:35-63. Ecol. Monogr. 50:221-239. 39:180-195. Ianelli, J., and M. Zimmerman. 1998. Sta- Larson, R. J., W. H. Lenarz, and S. Ral- Mason, J. E. 1998. Declining rockfish tus and future prospects for the Pacific ston. 1994. The distribution of pelagic lengths in the Monterey Bay, Califor- ocean perch resource in waters off juvenile rockfish of the genus Sebastes nia, recreational fishery 1959-94. Mar. in the upwelling region off central Cal- Fish. Rev. 60(3):15-28. ifornia. Calif. Coop. Ocean. Fish. Inves- MacFarlane, R. B., and M. J. Bowers. tig. Rep. 35:175-221, La Jolla. 1995. Matrotrophic viviparity in the Larson, R. J., C. Orrego, and R. W. Julian. yellowtail rockfish Sebastesflavidus. J. 1998. Genetic analysis of year-class for- Exp. Biol. 198(5):1197-1206. mation in shortbelly rockfish, Sebastes Mathews, S. B., and M. W. Barker. 1983. jordani. Report to California Sea Grant, Movements of rockfish (Sebastes) R/F-23-3PD. tagged in Northern Puget Sound, Lauck, T., C. W. Clark, M. Mangel, and Washington. Fish. Bull. 82(1):916-922. G. R. Munro. 1998. Implementing the Matthews, K. R. 1991. An experimental precautionary principle in fisheries study of the habitat preferences and management through marine reserves. movement patterns of copper, quill- Ecol. Appl. 8(1):S72-S78. back, and brown rockfishes (Sebastes Lea, R. N., R. D. McAllister, and D. A. spp). Environ. Biol. Fish. 29:161-178. Downloaded by [Oregon State University] at 13:44 22 November 2011 Ventresca. 1999. Biological aspects of McArdle, D. A. 1998. Restrictions on rock- nearshore rockfishes of the genus fish fishing in existing California Sebastes from Central California. Cali- marine protected areas. Pages 133-136 fornia Department of Fish and Game, in M. M. Yoklavich, ed. Marine harvest Fish Bull. 177. refugia for West Coast rockfish: a Leaman, B. M. 1991. Reproductive styles workshop. NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC- and life history variables relative to 255, La Jolla, CA. exploitation and management of Moser, G. H. 1967. Reproduction and Sebastes stocks. Environ. Biol. 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No-take reserve networks: sustaining for 1998 for all areas. Report #009. fishery populations and marine ecosys- Pacific States Marine Fisheries Com- tems. Fisheries 24(11):11-25. mission, Gladstone, OR. Musick, J. A. 1999a. Criteria to define ~-. 1999b. NPMFC gear group report: extinction risk in marine fishes. The Groundfish landed-catch (metric tons) American Fisheries Society initiative. for 1998 for all areas. Report #009. Fisheries 24(12):6-14. Pacific States Marine Fisheries Com- .. 1999b. Ecology and conservation mission, Gladstone, OR. of long-lived marine . Pages 1-10 PFMC (Pacific Fishery Management in J. A. Musick, ed. Life in the slow lane: Council). 1993. Pacific coast ground- ecology and conservation of long-lived fish plan: Fishery management plan for marine animals. Am. Fish. Soc. Symp. 23. the California, Oregon and Washington Nichol, D. G., and E. K. Pikitch. 1994. groundfish fishery as amended Reproduction of darkblotched rockfish through amendment 7. Pacific Fishery off the Oregon coast. Trans. Am. Fish. Management Council, Portland, OR. Soc. 123:469-481. .1997. Status of the Pacific coast NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Ser- groundfish fishery through 1998 and vice). 1999a. Research plan for West recommended acceptable biological Coast groundfish, Table 1. National catches for 1999: stock assessment and Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, WA. fishery evaluation. Pacific Fishery 1999b. Listing endangered and Management Council, Portland, OR. threatened species and designing criti- .1999. Status of the Pacific coast cal habitat: Petition to list eighteen groundfish fishery through 1999 and species of marine fishes in Puget recommended acceptable biological Sound, Washington. Federal Register catches for 2000: stock assessment and 64(118):33037-33040. fishery evaluation. Pacific Fishery NPFMC (North Pacific Fishery Manage- Management Council, Portland, OR. ment Council). 1999. Stock assessment Palsson, W. A. 1998. Monitoring the and fishery evaluation report for the response of rockfishes to protected groundfish resources of the Bering Sea. areas. Pages 64-73 in M. M. Yoklavich, Aleutian Islands regions. North Pacific ed. Marine harvest refugia for West Fishery Management Council, Anchor- Coast rockfish: A workshop. NOAA- age, AK. TM-NMFS-SWFSC-255, La Jolla, CA. O'Connell, V.M. 1987. Reproductive sea- Pearcy, W. G. 1962. Egg masses and early sons for some Sebastes species in south- developmental stages of the Scor- eastern Alaska. Alaska Dept. Fish & paenid fish Sebastolobus. J. Fish. Res. Game Info. Leafl. 263, Div. Comm. Board Can. 19:1169-1173. Fish., Juneau. Pearcy, W. G. 1992. Movements of acousti- -- . 1991. A preliminary examination cally-tagged yellowtail rockfish of breakaway tagging for demersal (Sebastes flavidus) on Heceta Bank, Ore- rockfishes. Fish. Res. Bull. 91-06, Alas- gon Fish. Bull. 90(4):726-735. ka Dept. Fish & Game, Div. Comm. Pearson, D. E., and J. E. Hightower. 1991. Fish., Juneau. Spatial and temporal variability in O'Connell, V. M., and J. T. Fujioka. 1991. growth of (Sebastes Downloaded by [Oregon State University] at 13:44 22 November 2011 Demersal shelf rockfish. Pages 46-47 in entomelas). NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC- Loh-Lee Low, ed. Status of living 167, La Jolla, CA. marine resources off Alaska as Pikitch, E. K., D. L. Erickson, and J. R. assessed in 1991. NOAA Tech. Mem. Wallace. 1988. An evaluation of the NMFS F/NWC-211, Northwest Fish. effectiveness of trip limits as a manage- Sci. Cent., Auke Bay, AK. ment tool. NOAA, NWFSC and AFSC O'Connell, V. M., and D. W. Carlile. Processed Report 88-27. 1993. Habitat specific density of adult Quinn, T. J., D. Hanselman, D. Clausen, in the eastern Gulf C. Lunsford, and J. Heifetz. In press. of Alaska. Fish. Bull. 91:304-309. Adaptive cluster sampling of rockfish O'Connell, V. M., D. Carlile, and C. populations. Proceedings of the Ameri- Brylinsky. 1999. Demersal shelf rock- can Statistical Society, 1999 Joint Statis- fish in Stock assessment and fishery tical Meetings, Biometerics Section. evaluation report for the 2000 Gulf of Ralston, S. 1998. The status of federally Alaska groundfish fishery. North Pacif- managed rockfish on the US West ic Fishery Management Council, Coast. Pages 6-16 in M. M. Yoklavich, Anchorage, AK. ed. Marine harvest refugia for West PacFIN. 1999a. PMFC gear group report: Coast rockfish: a workshop. NOAA- Groundfish landed-catch (metric tons) TM-NMFS-SWFSC-255, La Jolla, CA.

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Ralston, S. 1999. Summary of background NOAA-TM-NMFS-NWFSC-31. Walters C. J., and R. Bonfil. 1999. Multi- information concerning revision of the Shinomiya, A. and 0. Ezaki. 1991. Mating species spatial assessment models for PFMC groundfish harvest policy. Pacif- habits of the rockfish . the British Columbia groundfish trawl ic Fishery Management Council, Port- Environ. Biol. Fish. 30(1-2):15-22. fishery. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. land, OR. Soh, S., D. R. Gunderson, and D. H. Ito. 56:601-628. Ralston, S., and D. E Howard. 1995. On 1998. Closed areas to manage rockfish- Westrheim, S. J. 1987. The rockfish fish- the development of year-class strength es in the Gulf of Alaska. Pages 118-124 eries off western Canada, 1860-1985. and cohort variability in two northern in M. M. Yoklavich, ed. Marine harvest Pages 43-50 in Proceedings of the inter- California rockfishes. Fish. Bull. refugia for West Coast rockfish: a work- national rockfish symposium. Alaska 93:710-720. shop. NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-255, Sea Grant Report 87-2, Anchorage. Richards, L. J. 1986. Depth and habitat La Jolla, CA. Wourms, J. P. 1991. Reproduction and distributions of three species of rock- Stanely, R. D., B. M. Leaman, L. Haldor- development of Sebastes in the context fish (Sebastes) in British Columbia: son, and V. M. O'Connell. 1994. Move- of the evolution of piscine viviparity. observations from the submersible ments of tagged adult yellowtail rock- Environ. Biol. Fish. 30:111-126. PISCES IV. Environ. Biol. Fish. fish, Sebastesflavidus, off the west coast Wyllie Echeverria, T. 1987. Thirty-four 17:13-21. of . Fish. Bull. species of California rockfishes: matu- Richards, L. J., and N. Olsen. 1996. Slope 92(3):655-663. rity and seasonality of reproduction. rockfish stock assessment for the West Starr, R. M. 1998. Design principles for Fish. Bull. 85(2):229-250. Coast of Canada in 1996 and recom- rockfish reserves on the U.S. West Yoklavich, M. M., V. J. Loeb, M. Nishi- mended yields for 1997. Can. Tech. Coast. Pages 50-63 in M. M. Yokla- moto, and B. Daly. 1996. Nearshore Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2134:91. vich, ed. Marine harvest refugia for assemblages of larval rockfishes and Roberts, C. 1998. Sources, sinks, and the West Coast rockfish: a workshop. their physical environment off cen- design of marine reserve networks. NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-255, La tral California during an extended El Fisheries 23(7):16-19. Jolla, CA. Nifio event 1991-1993. Fish. Bull. Sampson, D. B., P. R. Crone, and M. R. Stein, D. L., B. N. Tissot, and M. A. 94:766-782. Saelens. 1997. Pages 53-104 in D. B. Hixon. 1992. Fish-habitat associations Yoklavich, M. M. 1998. Marine harvest Sampson and P. R. Crone, eds. Com- on a deep reef at the edge of the Ore- refugia for West Coast rockfish: a mercial fisheries data collection proce- gon continental shelf. Fish. Bull. workshop. NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC- dures for U.S. Pacific Coast groundfish. 90:540-551. 255, La Jolla, CA. Downloaded by [Oregon State University] at 13:44 22 November 2011

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