Dependence of Distribution and Catch of Golden Redfish Sebastes norwegicus (Scorpaenidae) in the Barents Sea on Its Size Composition

• Published in: Journal of ichthyology 2022-08, Vol.62 (4), p.623-631
• Main Author: Filin, A. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bycatch; Fish; Fishing; Fishing areas; Juveniles; Life Sciences; Migrations; Overwintering; Replenishment; Salvage; Sebastes; Sebastes norvegicus; Size distribution; Spawning; Water area; Zoology
• ISSN: 0032-9452; 1555-6425
• DOI: 10.1134/S0032945222040075

The features of distribution and catch in the Barents Sea of the golden redfish Sebastes norwegicus associated with changes in its size composition have been considered. It has been shown that juveniles and immature individuals are found in this region in a larger water area than medium-sized and large fish. The factor limiting the distance of migrations of adult golden redfish from the areas of spawning and wintering to the Barents Sea is the depth of the sea, while as the fish grow, the influence of this factor increases. Increase of young fish in the golden redfish stock due to replenishment with high-yielding generations in 2003, 2008 and 2009 contributed to an increase in the spatial and temporal overlap of its range with fishing areas of groundfish, which was reflected in the size of its by-catch. Growth in catches of golden redfish in 2016–2020 in the Barents Sea was primarily due to the expansion of the water area of its distribution. The number and total duration of commercial trawls in the Barents Sea, in the catches of which golden redfish were found, in 2016–2020 increased sharply, however, the productivity of fishing in these years did not change significantly and did not correlate with the increase in catch.