Movements and Growth of Petrale Sole (Eopsetta jordani) Tagged off Washington and Southwest Vancouver Island

Abstract

Tagging studies indicate that spawning groups of petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) from Cape Flattery Spit Deep and Willapa Deep were the most significant contributors to the summer inshore fishery for petrale sole off Washington and Vancouver Island. Spawning groups south of Willapa Deep contributed less than 5% to this fishery. The Willapa Deep group was estimated to be at least as large as the Cape Flattery Spit Deep, although the latter supported a much larger winter fishery. Fish tagged during winter on Cape Flattery Spit Deep ranged primarily from Esteban Point south to Quillayute during summer. Ninety-seven percent of the winter recoveries from tag releases in deepwater spawning areas were made in the area of release.Length composition data suggested that after spawning offshore, adult sole returned to inshore grounds during the summer.For mature sole, growth parameters estimated from tagged fish agreed with those calculated by other methods of ageing.