Survey of Rockfishes, Especially Pacific Ocean Perch, in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, 1963–66

Abstract

During 1963–66, a trawl and echo-sounder survey was conducted in the northeast Pacific Ocean to investigate the distribution and abundance of rockfish (Scorpaenidae) species, particularly Pacific ocean perch (Sebastodes alutus), inhabiting the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope from Cape Blanco, Oregon, to Unalaska Island, Alaska. Rockfish predominated in most trawl catches. Among areas, numbers of rockfish species declined northward, from 19–21 in the Oregon–Vancouver Island region to 5 off Unalaska Island. Within areas, maximum numbers of species were caught at intermediate depths — usually 80–139 fath (146–254 m). With rare exceptions, Pacific ocean perch was the predominant rockfish species in the trawl catches throughout the study area, although its relative abundance declined from north to south.Within areas, ocean perch catch rates were usually maximal at intermediate depths — 120–139 fath (220–254 m) in summer and substantially deeper in winter. Juvenile fish usually occupied shallower depths than adults, but were often in the company of large adults. Among areas, summer catch rates were relatively high off southwest Vancouver Island and southeastern Alaska and in the western Gulf of Alaska. Off Vancouver Island, summer catch rates were higher than winter catch rates, particularly for large adults of both sexes. Echo-sounder records indicated schools were frequently unavailable to the on-bottom trawl used in this survey.Ocean perch in the northeast Pacific Ocean were categorized, tentatively, into B.C.- and Gulf-types, whose mutual boundary is Dixon Entrance. Separation was based on differential size distributions and year-class strengths.Survival rates among year-classes were evidently quite variable, particularly for the Gulf stock west of Cape Spencer.Qualitatively, ocean perch abundance generally increased from south to north in the study area.Bottom-water temperatures varied inversely with depth and latitude. Among areas, temperature range at depths of maximal ocean perch catch rate was 4.5–7.7 C, but in high-abundance areas the temperatures did not exceed 6.0 C. Seasonally, temperature at depths of maximal catch rate varied approximately 1.5 C.