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CDFW Bans Retention of Quillback Rockfish

2Aug

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CDFW Bans Retention of Quillback Rockfish

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is banning retention of quillback rockfish in both recreational and commercial fisheries effective Aug. 7. CDFW officials said July 28 that the combined recreational and commercial take of quillback rockfish would exceed the harvest limits specified in federal regulation for 2023, and that in-season action must be taken to reduce the risk of overfishing. Under California state law when federal harvest limits are projected to be exceeded, CDFW has authority to make in-season changes including adjustments to bag and sub-bag limits. Quillback rockfish, which are found from Kodiak Island in Alaska to Southern California, can grow to up to 25 inches in length and 7.2 pounds, and can live for up to at least 95 years. It has a mild, sli...

Study: Marine Heatwave Impacted Rockfish, Not Always for the Worse

An Oregon State University (OSU) study that tracked juvenile black rockfish in nearshore waters from 2013 to 2019 has concluded that the young fish fared better than feared in a marine heatwave between 2014 and 2016. “The study is important for gauging the conditions and making management plans that will affect the species’ survival as the ocean experiences increasing variability because of climate change,” Will Fennie, the study’s lead author and former OSU doctoral student now with NOAA Fisheries, said. Fennie worked with OSU College of Science researchers Su Sponaugle and Kirsten Grorud-Colvert on the study, which was published March 30 in the journal Scientific Reports. “Oceanographic conditions dictate water temperature, which influences larval dispersal and food availability -- ...

Hybrid NPFMC Meeting Scheduled for June 9-14 in Sitka, Alaska

Final action on Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish adjustments is on the agenda for the hybrid June meeting of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, set for June 6-14 in Sitka, Alaska. Other major issues on the agenda include a Crab Plan team report on Aleutian Islands golden king crab and adopting alternatives for the snow crab rebuilding plan analysis, initial review of the Bering Sea/Aleutian Island Pacific cod small boat access and trawl electronic monitoring committee report, plus a review of the observer program annual report for 2021. Discussions on salmon research reports on Chinook and chum stock status from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center and Alaska Department of Fish and Game are also on the agenda, which is online at https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/Details...