Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus)
Management

For management purposes yelloweye are classified as a non-pelagic rockfish species. Non-pelagic rockfish species are managed with special consideration as a result of their life history, preferred habitat, and fishing vulnerability. Under sport fishing regulations rockfish species are divided into two categories: pelagic and non-pelagic. Each group has specific bag limits and restrictions to account for the different characteristics of each species groups.

There are a variety of tools that are used by managers to monitor yelloweye populations and estimate human induced exploitation (you can read more about these under the research tab). As research continues to contribute to our understanding of yelloweye, managers will use the best scientific information available to manage this species. Because yelloweye are included among federally managed groundfish species, the management of yelloweye consists of a composite of federal and state authority.

Recreational fisheries, including those involving yelloweye, are managed by the State of Alaska both in state waters (0-3 miles from shore) and within the Exclusive Economic Zone (3-200 miles from shore). Commercial fisheries are managed by the State of Alaska within state waters and by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (a federal entity) within the Exclusive Economic Zone. In southeast Alaska, the State of Alaska manages the commercial yelloweye fishery as part of the federal demersal shelf rockfish assemblage with oversight from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

While the Alaska Department of Fish and Game provides management and conducts research, the Alaska Board of Fisheries is given the responsibility to establish regulations including the distribution of benefits among subsistence, commercial, recreational and personal use user groups. In this way, responsibilities are divided between these two state entities in order to manage Alaska’s fisheries for the maximum benefit of the people of the state, under the sustained yield principle.