Spatial and Temporal Comparisons of Gopher Rockfish (Sebastes carnatus) Life History and Condition in South Central California

<p>Recent studies have shown environmental factors influence life history traits in fishes. Understanding intraspecific variability of life history characteristics and condition is necessary to determine local fisheries management strategies. Gopher rockfish,<em> Sebastes carnatus</em>, comprise 50% of the estimated shallow nearshore recreational rockfish catch in California, yet insufficient local data exist regarding life history traits and condition of this species. Our study locally defines growth parameters (maximum size and age), size (age) at reproductive maturity, and condition (hepatosomatic indices) for gopher rockfish in south central California. The growth parameter values of gopher rockfish from our study are similar to previously published research. However, our data also indicate that the current local gopher rockfish stock in south central California reaches reproductive maturity at a larger size and an older age when compared to gopher rockfish sampled throughout central California (primarily in Monterey) between 1977-1982. Furthermore, we examined spatial and temporal differences in life history information, within and outside of two south central California Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) established in 2007, between two time periods. Our data show that the size and longevity of fish has increased after the establishment of MPAs.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS in Biological Sciences

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Meyers-Cherry, Natasha Leigh

Contributors dc:contributor

• Royden Nakamura

• Life History
• Sebastes carnatus
• gopher rockfish
• Marine Protected Area
• fisheries management
• population biology

Identifier

10.15368/theses.2014.173

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.calpoly.edu:theses-2423