Rock Fish EO for PWS/Cook Inlet catch reduction and closure period for Yellow Eye.

[Daveinthebush]

Advisory Announcement (Released: April 13, 2023 - Expires: December 31, 2023)

CONTACT: Brittany Blain-Roth Area Management Biologist (907) 267-2186

Rockfish Limits Reduced and Seasonal Yelloweye Rockfish Closure in Prince William Sound Salt Waters​

(Anchorage) - In favor of protecting rockfish and ensuring sport fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reducing the rockfish bag and possession limits in Prince William Sound salt waters from 4 per day, 8 in possession to 3 per day, 6 in possession of which only 1 per day, 1 in possession can be a nonpelagic rockfish. In addition, yelloweye rockfish may not be retained from May 1 – June 30, 2023. Prince William Sound salt waters are all waters east of Cape Fairfield and west of Cape Suckling.

The harvest of rockfish in Prince William Sound salt waters has been increasing in recent years. Pelagic rockfish harvest levels are at an all-time high in Prince William Sound, with black rockfish being the dominant species harvested. Declines have been detected in the biological compositions of black rockfish, such as age, length, and weight. The changes in the biological composition could be an indication of a change in the population structure, likely due to high levels of harvest overall and increasing harvests on younger fish. In addition, preliminary stock assessment data for yelloweye rockfish indicate that this level of harvest may not be sustainable into the future. A reminder to anglers that the use of a deepwater release is not only mandatory when releasing rockfish, but it is a valuable tool to increase survival when releasing rockfish at depth of capture, versus at the surface.

“By implementing a seasonal nonretention regulation for yelloweye rockfish from May 1 – June 30, these fish will be able to have the opportunity to have a successful reproductive event and harvest could be reduced by as much as 25%,” stated Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth.

These changes in harvest and biological trends are assumed to be associated with a shifting of effort from Pacific halibut to other species by charter (guided) anglers due to reduced sport fishing opportunities associated with the Halibut Catch Share Plan. On February 6, NOAA fisheries announced its 2023 charter regulations, which closes halibut fishing on all Tuesdays from June 20 through August 15 and Wednesdays for the entire season in regulatory area 3A, which includes North Gulf Coast salt waters. These are the most restrictive regulations for guided anglers since the Halibut Catch Share Plan was implemented in 2014. It is likely that effort will shift to state managed sport fisheries including rockfish, salmon, and lingcod, and requires a precautionary approach given the recent harvest trends.

For rockfish species identification information visit our website. For information on rockfish deepwater release information check out this page.

For more information, please contact Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth 907-267-2186 or Assistant Area Management Biologist Donald Arthur at 907-267-2225.

#23-3487

 

[kwackkillncrew]

There was also a EO for rockfish out of homer and seward. down to 3 a day. I kinda figured this was bound to happen with charters putting more pressure on them on the no halibut days. (this isnt a dig on charter operators)

 

[Daveinthebush]

Advisory Announcement (Released: April 13, 2023 - Expires: December 31, 2023)

CONTACT: Mike Booz Area Management Biologist (907) 235-8191

Rockfish Bag and Possession Limits Reduced in Cook Inlet and North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay Salt Waters​

(Anchorage/Homer) – To protect rockfish and help ensure sport fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reducing the rockfish bag and possession limits in Cook Inlet and North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay salt waters to 3 per day 6 in possession, of which only 1 per day, 2 in possession can be nonpelagic. The Cook Inlet-Resurrection Bay Saltwater Area includes the salt waters enclosed by a line extending south from Cape Fairfield and a line extending east from Cape Douglas, including the Barren Islands, Cook Inlet, Kachemak Bay, North Gulf Coast, and Resurrection Bay. This change is effective starting Monday, May 15, and will continue through December 31, 2023.

In recent years, the harvest of rockfish in Cook Inlet and North Gulf Coast areas has increased substantially, and sustainable levels of rockfish harvest are currently unknown. On average, from 2019 through 2022, the total rockfish harvest in Cook Inlet salt waters was over 50,000 fish annually, which is over a 300% increase from the historical (2006–2013) average. In the North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay salt waters, rockfish harvest has nearly doubled since 2014, and the 2021 and 2022 harvests were higher than any previously documented. Most of this increase in harvest in both areas has been black rockfish.

“Rockfish are slow-growing and long-lived fish that are consistently found in the same locations,” stated Cook Inlet Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “Because of these traits, rockfish are susceptible to overharvest with long periods for recovery, which requires a conservative management approach.”

With these increased harvest trends, there have also been declines detected in the biological compositions of black rockfish. The harvest of black rockfish in both areas has been comprised of a large percentage (60-90%) of juveniles, which has resulted in an 18-25% smaller average length in the total harvest compared to previous years. Although black rockfish stocks currently appear healthy, these increased harvest trends and changes in biological data indicate a possible change in the population structure and that current harvest levels may be unsustainable.

“If we manage rockfish more conservatively now, we may avoid further reductions or closures in the future,” stated North Gulf Coast Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth. “Anglers should also remember that the use of a deepwater release is not only mandatory when releasing rockfish but it is a valuable tool to increase survival when releasing rockfish at depth, versus at the surface.”

These changes in harvest and biological trends are assumed to be associated with a shifting of effort from Pacific halibut to other species by charter (guided) anglers due to reduced sport fishing opportunities associated with the Halibut Catch Share Plan. On February 6, NOAA fisheries announced its 2023 charter regulations, which close halibut fishing on all Tuesdays from June 20 through August 15 and Wednesdays for the entire season in regulatory area 3A, which includes Cook Inlet and North Gulf Coast salt waters. Additionally, preseason emergency orders have closed king salmon fishing in upper Cook Inlet and reduced the king salmon bag limit from 2 to 1 fish in lower Cook Inlet. Please review these emergency orders and advisory announcements in their entirety for specific regulatory changes. With these restrictions to halibut and king salmon, the effort will likely shift to other fisheries such as rockfish and lingcod.

For rockfish species identification information, visit our website. For information on rockfish deepwater release information check out this page.

For more information in the Cook Inlet area (Homer), please contact Area Management Biologist Mike Booz or Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson at 907-235-8191.

For more information in the North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay (Seward) area, please contact Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth at 907-267-2186 or Assistant Area Management Biologist Donald Arthur at 907-267-2225.

#23-3486

 

[rocket man]

Sssooooooooo... When will we see legitimate restrictions on trawlers? I bet their Bycatch outweighs the sport caught total at least 3 to 1.

 

[bottom_dweller]

Sssooooooooo... When will we see legitimate restrictions on trawlers? I bet their Bycatch outweighs the sport caught total at least 3 to 1.

I don’t know about the ratio but you probably won’t see the trawlers restricted much until someone with really deep pockets can lobby it. They got government officials on their side.

 

[penguin]

Yeah, but we got Mary!

 

[Patsfan54]

Sssooooooooo... When will we see legitimate restrictions on trawlers? I bet their Bycatch outweighs the sport caught total at least 3 to 1.

I have no problem regulating trawlers and their bycatch to protect our fish, we know salmon and halibut bycatch rates by trawlers. I don't think trawlers fish in the areas where these restrictions on sport caught rockfish are. I think a limit on charter catch would be more appropriate than a wholesale sport fishery limit, similar to the halibut charter limit. As F&G points out charters have just shifted their take from one species to another and they've documented the massive increase in take.

 

[bottom_dweller]

The event of gps has changed everything. I used to have lots of “unmarked” pinnacles that I could load up on yellow eye and ling. Now they are all on a chart and void of fish.
They show up on a screen like a flashing red light and as soon as you can get your bait down, fish on. Not real sporty. They will probably keep restricting these fish as they are can so easily be caught.

 

[bottom_dweller]

I agree with Patsfan on the bycatch. Their bycatch are not these fish. The fish they are restricting stay in the same spot for a long time.

 

[Patsfan54]

The event of gps has changed everything. I used to have lots of “unmarked” pinnacles that I could load up on yellow eye and ling. Now they are all on a chart and void of fish.
They show up on a screen like a flashing red light and as soon as you can get your bait down, fish on. Not real sporty. They will probably keep restricting these fish as they are can so easily be caught.

Yep, charter guys are in the business to catch fish day in and day out, so they find spots that fish can be caught because their business model relies upon it.

As a private party sports fisherman, I do not go out everyday and when I go out I want to fish and try different spots. Sure I have some spots that are better than others and I will go to the more reliable ones if I strike out while fishing new spots. Some of the further out areas see almost no pressure because, once again for the business model, burning gas to go further doesn't pay the bills for a charter guy. But for a guy who wants to get away from the crowds and see new country, there's plenty of fish. Most will certainly be more selective on what fish they keep, which will also lead to more catch and release mortality.

 

[bottom_dweller]

Yep, charter guys are in the business to catch fish day in and day out, so they find spots that fish can be caught because their business model relies upon it.

As a private party sports fisherman, I do not go out everyday and when I go out I want to fish and try different spots. Sure I have some spots that are better than others and I will go to the more reliable ones if I strike out while fishing new spots. Some of the further out areas see almost no pressure because, once again for the business model, burning gas to go further doesn't pay the bills for a charter guy. But for a guy who wants to get away from the crowds and see new country, there's plenty of fish. Most will certainly be more selective on what fish they keep, which will also lead to more catch and release mortality.

They are tasty 😋