2016 Assessment of the Demersal Shelf Rockfish Stock Complex in the Southeast Outside District of the Gulf of Alaska
February 14, 2016
The demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) complex (yelloweye, quillback, copper, rosethorn, canary, China, and tiger rockfish) is assessed on a biennial cycle, with a full stock assessment typically conducted in odd calendar years. Prior to 2010 yelloweye rockfish density was estimated using a manned submersible (Delta) and since 2012 density has been estimated using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). No surveys were completed in 2010 or 2011. Yelloweye rockfish biomass is estimated as the product of density, mean fish weight, and area of rocky habitat for each management district. The recommended DSR acceptable biological catch (ABC) and overfishing level (OFL) for this year’s SAFE are based on the most recent yelloweye rockfish biomass estimates plus the Tier 6 calculation of the non-yelloweye rockfish DSR component. In addition, the results of a preliminary statistical age-structured assessment model, which incorporates submersible and ROV yelloweye rockfish density estimates, commercial, recreational, and subsistence fishery data, and International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) survey data, are presented in Appendix A.
Catch information and average weights for yelloweye rockfish catch from the commercial fishery were updated for 2016. Average weight of yelloweye rockfish changed from 3.96 kg to 3.93 kg in East Yakutat (EYKT), from 3.47 kg to 3.52 kg in Central Southeast Outside (CSEO), 3.95 to 3.67 kg in Northern Southeast Outside (NSEO), and in Southern Southeast Outside (SSEO) from 3.53 kg (2013 data) to 3.32 kg.