1999 

 OUR LIVING OCEANS 



levels, with a combined RAY 84% below their long-term potential. Snow crab stocks are in 

 good condition, but the RAY has decreased substantially since the early 1990's. 



;..'^- 



Commercial trollers off Pt. 

 Ano Nuevo, California. 



Pacific Coast Region 



Pacific Coast fisheries resources have a prorated U.S. LTPY of 8S2,26.^ t (Table 8). 

 The major species are Pacific salmon, coastal pelagic fishes, groimdfish. Pacific halibut, and 

 nearshore resources. The total U.S. RAY is 61 9,938 t or 73% of LTPY. The lower RAY is 

 due mainly to imderutilization ot some species and to low abundance ot some stocks. Most 

 stocks are either Itilly utilized or overutilized. 



All five salmon species are fully or overutilized. The RAY ot 17,304 t is S2% of its 

 ITPY. Depressed production is partly due to generally unfavorable ocean conditions for 

 salmon off the Pacific Coast since the late 1970's and other factors such as habitat degrada- 

 tion. Some stocks are depleted and have triggered ESA designations and status reviews. 



Coastal pelagic fishes typically fluctuate widely in abundance, and most stocks are 

 low in abundance relative to historical levels and are fully tuilized. The total RAY ol 1 (IK, ()()() 

 t is only 27% of UIPY. The Pacific sardine popuLuion lias been increasing after decades of 

 low abimdance levels and now accounts for 'S2"(i of the U.S. RAY for coastal pelagic fishes. 

 Jack mackerel and northern anchovy are underiitili/ed. 



The groundfish fishery harvests a vast array of bottom-dwelling species from Wash- 

 ington to California. The total RAY of 3'i3,264 t is 76%) of LTPY. The difference between 

 RAY and LTPY is due to a variety of factors, including the diversity of this fishery complex. 

 Some species are overexploited, some have experienced periods of low recruitment, ,ind 

 some are underutilized. Despite being below L'I'PY, Pacific wliiting dominates ihe com- 

 mercial U.S. IMY, accounting for 78'yo of the west coast groundfish catch. Rocktishes and 

 lingcod also support poptilar recreational fisheries. Certain stocks, such as Pacific ocean 

 perch, need to be rebuilt following overutilization and a period of poor recruitment. 

 Shortbellv rockfish is underutilized because of .i lack of market. 



Pacific C>oast shellfish resources are diverse and important both commercial!)- .iiid 

 recreationally. Shrimp, crab, clam, and abalone fisheries are relatively small in terms of 



24 



