Michael Jon Jaenicke
Published: 2022
Total Pages: 11
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This project monitors age, size, and sex characteristics of Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis and rockfish species Sebastes spp, and biological data from other groundfish species landed by sport anglers at four strategically selected ports in Southeast Alaska. Data will be combined with catch, harvest and effort estimates and biological data from Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Southeast Alaska Marine Harvest Studies program and the Alaska Sport Fishing Survey to assess trends, evaluate changes in stock status, and design regulations that protect stocks and provide for long-term sustained yield. This project will support dockside sampling by the Marine Harvest Studies program in Southeast Alaska to collect otoliths and other biological data from harvested Pacific halibut and black rockfish Sebastes melanops, and species composition of harvested rockfish, from charter and unguided saltwater boat anglers. Estimates of species composition (rockfish), age composition and average weight captured from this project will be combined with charter logbook and Alaska Sport Fishing Survey harvest and release information for SEAK to estimate biomass of recreational fishing mortality of Pacific halibut and demersal shelf rockfish for all relevant management units in Southeast Alaska. Data will be shared with the International Pacific Halibut Commission, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, the Alaska Board of Fisheries, and the public. Survey areas sampled will include Elfin Cove, Sitka, Craig, and Ketchikan.