Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Alaska
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Alaska Project


Spawning Potential Ratio Assessment and Sensitivity Analysis Utilizing Estimates of Age at Maturity and Fecundity for Yelloweye Rockfish in Prince William Sound, Alaska

January 2018 - December 2020


Personnel

Participating Agencies

  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Sport Fish

Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) are a highly-valued catch in recreational and commercial fisheries throughout Alaska and make up an important portion of the subsistence harvest in communities along the Gulf of Alaska. However, no management or assessment strategies exist for Yelloweye Rockfish in Prince William Sound, and to date no abundance estimates have been made. In this study, we intend to create a framework or threshold for harvest that can be applied to the management of Yelloweye Rockfish in Prince William Sound. This project is a collaboration between the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The recreational harvest of Yelloweye Rockfish in Prince William Sound has been increasing for over 15 years. This harvest coupled with commercial removals could result in harvest level that is already exceeding a sustainable level. The project is directed towards the conservation of this specific species in a particular region where it has economic and cultural importance.