Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Pacific Southwest): Brown Rockfish, Copper Rockfish, and Black Rockfish

摘要

Species profiles are literature summaries of the taxonomy, morphology, range, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic species. They are designed to assist in environmental impact assessment. Rockfishes are the basis of very important sport and commercial fisheries in the northeastern Pacific. Exploitation is increasing. Brown rockfish (Sebastes auriculatus), copper rockfish (S. caurinus), and black rockfish (S. melanops) are three important members of this family. Two of the species occur throughout the Pacific Southwest region; the black rockfish occurs only from about Santa Barbara northward. The environmental factors determining distribution, growth, and survival are generally unknown. All rockfish have internal fertilization and bear live young.