Since pot gear became legal in the Gulf of Alaska in 2017, the pot fishery has grown rapidly, rising from 12 percent of catch in 2018 to almost 40 percent in 2020 in the Gulf of Alaska. Sablefish have historically been caught using hook and line. It would be good economically because small fish have a lower value per pound.There are also biological benefits such as allowing these young fish to grow, mature, and spawn if they are carefully released and survive." A Rapidly Growing Gulf of Alaska Sablefish Pot Fishery “There is interest in being able to release small fish before the individual fishing quota is filled. They are catching too many small fish,” said Cara Rodgveller, NOAA Fisheries biologist at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Small fish are difficult to avoid, have lower value than large sablefish, and count towards catch quotas. While this abundance of young fish bodes well for the future, it’s a problem for fishermen now. Abundances of sablefish born in 2014, 2016, and 2017 were the highest since 1977. With recent warming in the Gulf of Alaska came a sablefish baby boom. Sablefish market value increases progressively with size. NOAA Fisheries biologist Katy Echave holds a large sablefish. We also found that being held out of water, as sablefish may be on pot boats, caused reflex issues, but no mortality.” A Fishery Evolving Under Changing Conditions “If fish are not able to orient themselves, hear, or respond to touch, they may not be as skilled at sensing and responding to predators. But their reflexes were impaired in ways that could affect their ability to evade predators,” said study leader Cara Rodgveller, NOAA Fisheries Scientist, Alaska Fisheries Science Center. During this experiment, all fish survived capture on hook and line gear with careful handling. “These results show us that sablefish are able to withstand the stresses of capture. They provide information essential for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to evaluate the implications of proposed “ careful release” of small sablefish before fishing quotas are filled. Their findings provide a better understanding of mortality after release from pot fishing. They looked at how the stress of capture and time out of water affects the health and reflexes of sablefish, and whether that contributes to delayed mortality. NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center scientists teamed up with a veterinary professor at Oregon State University. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.Ī new collaborative study provides information essential for sustainable management of the sablefish fishery as it evolves and adapts to changing conditions.
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