"Rougheye and Blackspotted Rockfish"

The scheduled frequency for some stock assessments was recently changed in response to the National Stock Assessment Prioritization effort (Methot 2015; Hollowed et al. 2016). In previous years, all Gulf of Alaska (GOA) rockfish stocks were assessed on a biennial stock assessment schedule to coincide with the availability of new survey data. There was no change in this schedule for the rougheye and blackspotted (RE/BS) rockfish complex. For this off-cycle (even) year, we present a partial assessment consisting of an executive summary with recent fishery catch and survey trends as well as recommend harvest levels for the next two years. In on-cycle (odd) years, we will present a full stock assessment document with updated assessment and projection model results to recommend harvest levels for the next two years.

The National Standard Guidelines for Fishery Management Plans published by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) require that a stock assessment and fishery evaluation (SAFE) report be prepared and reviewed annually for each fishery management plan (FMP). The SAFE reports are intended to summarize the best available scientific information concerning the past, present, and possible future condition of the stocks and fisheries under federal management. The FMPs for the groundfish fisheries managed by the Council require that drafts of the SAFE reports be produced each year in time for the December North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) meetings.

Rockfish are assessed on a biennial stock assessment schedule to coincide with the availability of new trawl survey data. For Gulf of Alaska rockfish in off-cycle (even) years, we present an executive summary to recommend harvest levels for the next two years.

The rockfishes (family Scorpaenidae) of the northeast Pacific Ocean north of Mexico comprise five genera, three of which are included in this guide: Sebastes, Sebastolobus, and Adelosebastes. Sebastes includes some 100 species worldwide; 33, including one to be described, are presently recognized from Alaskan waters. Sebastolobus (commonly known as the thornyheads) includes only three species worldwide; all three are found in Alaskan waters. The single species of Adelosebastes (the Aleutian scorpionfish, A. latens) is known only from the Aleutian Islands and Emperor Seamounts. Of the three genera treated here, Sebastes poses the most difficulties in identification, both because of the numbers of species and because of their morphological similarity and variability. This guide includes color images of 37 species photographed under natural and electronic flash conditions in the field. Most specimens were photographed immediately after collection.

Rockfish are assessed on a biennial stock assessment schedule to coincide with the availability of new survey data.