Record Details
Neritic reef fishes off central Oregon : aspects of life histories and the recreational fishery
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Neritic reef fishes off central Oregon : aspects of life histories and the recreational fishery |
| Names |
McClure, Robert Edward
(creator) Horton, Howard F. (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1982-03-16 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1982 |
| Abstract | Recreational angling pressure has recently increased in the neritic reef areas off the central Oregon coast. This study describes weight-length and age-length relationships as well as ages at sexual maturity of the black, blue, canary, yelloweye, and yellowtail rockfish (Sebastes melanops, S. mystinus, S. pinniger, S. ruberrimus, and S. flavidus, respectively) and the lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus). These biological characteristics were examined in relation to the recreational fishery and compared to characteristics reported for the same species from other geographic locations. Most of the rockfish exhibited characteristics similar to those from other geographic locations. Lingcod characteristics were also similar to those observed from other locations. Yellowtail rockfish were found to be unique in that males and females appeared to exhibit very similar weight-length relationships and were adequately described by the same weight-length equation. Other rockfish species were best described using separate weight-length equations for each sex. Lingcod exhibited marked differences between male and female weight-length and length-at-age relationships. The mean length of black rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, and lingcod sampled has decreased slightly since 1976. This decrease is attributed, in part, to changes in the attitude of anglers towards these species rather than overharvesting. Localized overfishing of yelloweye rockfish may be occurring on some of the smaller, deeper water reefs. However, due to the weather conditions necessary to allow fishing on these reefs, this is not expected to adversely affect the general population of the area under present conditions. Neritic populations of each species seem to be healthy and not endangered at the present level of exploitation. This conclusion is based on length frequency observations and behavioral characteristics as well as on observations of the recreational fishery. Present management of this fishery appears to be adequate to protect the neritic reef fishes yet allow an unlimited angling season and generous bag limits. |
| Genre | Thesis/Dissertation |
| Topic | Scorpaenidae |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/11955 |
