UNIT 19 

 ALASKA GROUNDFISH FISHERIES 



Gulf of Alaska Groundfish 



Groundfish abundance in the Gulf ot Alaska 

 increased since 1977, peaking at 3,300,000 t in 

 1982. Abundance since then has remained rela- 

 tively stable, fluctuating between 4,300,000 and 

 5,300,000 t. The estimated long-term potential 

 yield (4S 1,440 t. Table 19-3) for Gulf of Alaska 

 groundfish has not been updated since last re- 

 ported (NMFS, 1 996). The current potential yield 

 tor the groundfish complex totaled 548,770 t 

 which reflects a high abundance of some stocks 

 relative to their long-term potential yields. The 

 recent average yield of the complex is 21 1,922 t. 

 The wide disparity between the current potential 

 vield and the recent average yield is due to 

 underutili/.ation of some groimdhsh species, par- 

 ticularly for flatfish, that could not be fulK' har- 

 vested without exceeding incidental catch limits 

 of Pacific halibut set by the North Pacific Fisher- 

 ies Management Council. 



Gulf ot Alaska groundfish catches have ranged 

 from a low of 129,640 t in 1978 to a high of 

 352,800 t in 1984 (Figure 19-3). The groundfish 

 catches are dominated by pollock, followed bv 

 Pacific cod, flatfish, and rockfish. Groundfish 

 catches since 1989 have fluctuated around 200,000 

 t. The 1997 groundfish catch of 225,000 t was 

 valued at $144,000,000 (ex-vessel value). Sable- 

 fish comprised about 55% ($79,000,000). Other 

 major revenue-producing species in 1 997 were pol- 

 lock ($19,000,000), Pacific cod ($33,000,000), 

 and flatfishes ($7,000,000). 



Pollock: Pollock abundance has been increas- 

 ing in recent years due to strong recruitment from 

 the 1994 year class. The western-central Gulf of 

 Alaska pollock total allowable catch is further ap- 

 portioned among three areas and three seasons. 

 This temporal and spatial apportionment of the 

 pollock quota was implemented to accommodate 

 Steller sea lion concerns; pollock are a major prey 

 item ot Steller sea lions in the Gulf of Alaska. Pol- 

 lock are considered fully utilized. 



Pacific Cod: Pacific cod are abundant and fully 

 utilized. I he Pacific cod stock has been declining 

 for the past several years due to a lack of signifi- 

 cant recruitment. However, recruitment from the 

 1995 year class may reverse this trend in the near 

 future. A risk-averse exploitation rate has been 



Landings 

 (X 1.000 t) 



300 - 

 250 - 

 200 - 

 150 - 

 100 - 

 50 - 

 - 



Total landings 



United States 



Biomass 



(X 1,000,000 t) 



applied to Pacific cod in light of uncertainty about 

 the natural mortality rate and the proportion of 

 the population not sampled by the survey gear. 



Flatfish: Flatfish are in general verv abundant, 

 largely due to great increases in arrowtooth floun- 

 der biomass. Flathead sole, rex sole, and 

 arrowtooth flounder are managed as separate cat- 

 egories, and the rest of the flatfish are managed as 

 deep-water or shallow-water groups. Flatfish are 

 underutilized due to halibut bycatch consider- 

 ations. 



Sablefish: Sablefish are approaching their low- 

 est obser\ed population level and are projected to 

 stabilize just above this lowest level in the near 

 future. Sablefish have been on a slowly declining 

 trend due to a lack of strong recruitment. They 

 are fully utilized. Sablefish have been harvested 

 under an individual fishing quota system since 

 1995. This has significantly changed the dynam- 

 ics of the fishery. 



Rockfisfi: For management purposes, rockfish 

 in the Gulf of Alaska are divided into four assem- 

 blages or species groups: slope rockfish, pelagic 

 shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, and demersal 

 shelf rockfish. Slope rockfish are at low levels of 

 abundance and fully utilized. Within this group, 

 Pacific ocean perch, shortraker and rougheye rock- 

 fish, and northern rockfish are managed as sepa- 

 rate categories. The principal species of the slope 

 group. Pacific ocean perch and shortraker and 

 rougheye rockfish, are highly valued. Slope rock- 



Figure 19-3 



Landings and abundance 

 trends for Gulf of Alaska 

 groundfish. 



205 



