First Results of the Tagging of Shortspine Thornyhead in Alaska
Shortspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus) is a commercially valuable deep dwelling rockfish…
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Shortspine thornyhead are found from the Bering Sea to Baja California, Mexico. They are distinguished from other rockfishes by the spiny ridge across their cheek. Shortspine thornyhead can live in depths up to 1,500 meters, though they are more commonly found between 55 and 465 meters.
U.S. wild-caught shortspine thornyhead is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Above target population level on the Pacific Coast.
At recommended levels.
The trawl, longline, and pot gear used to harvest shortspine thornyhead have minimal or temporary effects on habitat. Area closures and gear restrictions protect sensitive rocky, cold-water coral, and sponge habitats from bottom trawl gear.
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch of overfished and protected species.
There are three stocks of shortspine thornyhead: Pacific coast, one stock contained in a stock complex in the Gulf of Alaska, and one stock contained in a stock complex in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands. According to the most recent stock assessments:
The Pacific Coast stock is not overfished (2013 stock assessment) and not subject to overfishing based on the 2018 catch data. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.
The population status of the Gulf of Alaska Thornyhead Rockfish Complex, which includes shortspine thornyhead, is unknown. The complex has not been assessed, but according to 2020 catch data, the complex is not subject to overfishing.
The population status of Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Other Rockfish Complex, which includes shortspine thornyhead, has been assessed (2020 stock assessment), but there is not enough information to determine the population size so the population status is unknown. This complex is not subject to overfishing based on 2020 catch data. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 11/03/2020
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 11/03/2020
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 11/03/2020
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 11/03/2020
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 11/03/2020
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 11/03/2020
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 11/03/2020
Shortspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus) is a commercially valuable deep dwelling rockfish…
In accordance with the approved schedule, no assessment was conducted for this stock this year,…
Rockfish have historically been assessed on a biennial stock assessment schedule to coincide with…
NOTE: In accordance with the approved schedule, no assessment was conducted for this stock this…
Rockfish have historically been assessed on a biennial stock assessment schedule to coincide with…
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 11/03/2020