Black Rockfish

Overview

Species Common Name Black Rockfish
Species Scientific Name Sebastes melanops

Ecoregions

Nearshore

The Nearshore ecoregion includes a variety of habitats ranging from submerged high-relief rocky reefs to broad expanses of intertidal mudflats in estuaries and hosts a vast array of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, plants, and micro-organisms. This ecoregion encompasses the area from the outer boundary of Oregon’s Territorial Sea to the supra-tidal zone, and up into the estuaries.

Special needs

Rocky reefs. Semi-pelagic. Estuaries may be important nursery habitat.

Limiting factors

Periodic recruitment dependent on favorable conditions in a highly variable environment. High vulnerability potential for overfishing based on productivity and susceptibility analysis.

Data gaps

Fishery-independent population monitoring. Larval dispersal patterns, habitat associations, and usage. Migration patterns. Genetic variation among stocks.

Conservation actions

Protect critical habitat. Manage for sustainable harvest. Gather information to fill data gaps.

Key reference or plan

Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan

Life History Traits