Research Document - 2006/077

A review of quillback rockfish Sebastes maliger along the Pacific coast of Canada: biology, distribution and abundance trends

By Yamanaka, K.L., L.C. Lacko, K. Miller-Saunders, C. Grandin, J.K. Lochead, J.C. Martin, N. Olsen and S.S. Wallace

Abstract

This paper compiles information on the distribution, biology, abundance and abundance trends of quillback rockfish Sebastes maliger, in Canada, for use in a Committee on Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) status report. Quillback rockfish are found in the northeast Pacific from southern California to the Gulf of Alaska. In British Columbia (BC), there is presently no genetic evidence of multiple populations of quillback rockfish in BC. This species is observed from submersibles between 16 and 182 metres in depth over substrates that are hard, complex and vertically steep. Fisheries catch quillback rockfish over an estimated 27,370 square kilometres in BC. Quillback rockfish are aged to 95 years in BC and 50% of individuals 11 years of age are sexual maturity. Generation time is defined as the mean age of reproductive females and is estimated at 22.8 years. Females tend to be larger and older than males and reach a maximum size of 50 cm in BC. Total mortality rate ranges from 0.05 to 0.12 depending on the model used and natural mortality is estimated at 0.02 using catch curve analysis. Abundance is estimated at 2.23 million quillback rockfish in the 527 square kilometre survey area in the Strait of Georgia and 2.08 million over the 218 square kilometre study area in Juan Perez Sound. Fishery dependant catch per unit of effort (CPUE) is heavily influenced by management actions applied to the fishery and can not be used to interpret population trends. Abundance trends may be determined from research surveys which show either no-trend or a declining trend in abundance. The greatest decline has been 75% over 18 years between 1986 and 2004 within a study area located in the northern inside waters.

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