2015 Assessment Of The Rex Sole Stock In The Gulf Of Alaska
February 21, 2015
Rex sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) are assessed on a biennial stock assessment schedule to coincide with the availability of new survey data.
Rex sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) is a right-eyed flatfish occurring from southern California to the Bering Sea and ranging from shallow water (<100m) to about 800 meters depth (Mecklenburg et al., 2002). They are most abundant at depths between 100 and 200m and are found fairly uniformly throughout the Gulf of Alaska (GOA).
Rex sole appear to exhibit latitudinal changes in growth rates and size at sexual maturity. Abookire (2006) found marked differences in growth rates and female size at maturity between stocks in the GOA and off the coast of Oregon. Size at sexual maturity was greater for fish in the GOA than in Oregon, as was size-at-age. However, these trends offset each other such that age-at-maturity was similar between the two regions.
Rex sole are batch spawners with a protracted spawning season in the GOA (Abookire, 2006). The spawning season for rex sole spans at least 8 months, from October to May. Eggs are fertilized near the sea bed, become pelagic, and probably require a few weeks to hatch (Hosie et al. 1977). Hatched eggs produce pelagic larvae that are about 6 mm in length and are thought to spend about a year in a pelagic stage before settling out to the bottom as 5 cm juveniles.
Rex sole are benthic feeders, preying primarily on amphipods, polychaetes, and some shrimp.