Juvenile Life of Pacific Ocean Perch, Sebastes alutus, in Coastal Fiords of Southeastern Alaska: Their Environment, Growth, Food Habits, and Schooling Behavior

Abstract

Abstract Schools of juvenile Pacific ocean perch, Sebastes alutus, at four coastal fiord sites in southeastern Alaska were sampled by trawling. Younger juveniles (ages I and II) were over rougher substrate than older juveniles (ages III-V); both age groups were at shallower depths than adults. Lengths of juvenile perch varied between and within geographic areas, but the pattern of variation was not consistent. The most important food items were copepods and euphausiids; younger juveniles fed more on copepods and older juveniles more on euphausiids. Feeding activity was minimal in late winter and early spring. The relative strength of year classes fluctuated widely. Some juvenile perch are shown to become demersal by age I, and the hypothesis of a 2-3-year early pelagic existence is rejected.