Reproductive performance of yellowtail rockfish, Sebastes flavidus

Abstract

Field and laboratory studies were conducted for 3 years on the yellowtail rockfish, Sebastes flavidus, from Cordell Bank, California, in order to characterize the reproduction of this species whose northern stocks have declined. Research findings included reversal of the sex ratios and male-female ages and sizes at age throughout the annual cycle, heavier and longer females at age than males after sexual maturation, maturation of females at 6 and males at 8 years, long reproductive lifespans, distinct male and female gonadosomatic index patterns over the annual cycle, age- and size-specific fecundity, no difference between potential and realized fecundity and the seasonal changes associated with gonadogenesis. The reproductive profile of the Cordell Bank yellowtail rockfish provided a base for comparison with northern populations that appeared to differ, especially in age and size.