Biological Characteristics Of Nearshore Fishes Of California

Download or read book Biological Characteristics of Nearshore Fishes of California written by and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As part of the recent Marine Life Management Act, the California Department of Fish and Game is required to produce a Fishery Management Plan for the nearshore region as described in the Nearshore Fisheries Management Act. This requires the compilation of a species list that includes the species of fishes for which size limits are prescribed in the Act and other vulnerable species, and a detailed analysis of existing knowledge of the life history (age, growth, age at maturity, age composition, habitat utilization, reproduction, recruitment, trophic relationships, population health, and stock structure, including genetics) of nearshore fish species, especially those subject to the newly developing live fish (premium) fishery. During this project, we compiled a list of species currently taken in the nearshore fishery and others that could be particularly vulnerable (n=124). In addition, we created a life history parameter questionnaire to guide our literature search and compilation of life history parameters, surveyed the existing literature, constructed a life history database of the nearshore fish species list, and compiled a literature cited document. General gaps in the existing knowledge are identified, and specific research projects are proposed on such subjects as age at maturity, age validation, reproduction, trophic interactions, genetic variance, and mobility of fish stocks subject to the nearshore fisheries of California. It is hoped that this project will result in additional support to answer questions that will provide management agencies with sufficient information to effectively manage this fishery.