The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) announced that the 2018 NSEI Subdistrict commercial sablefish fishery individual equal quota share (EQS) will be 18.8% higher than that of 2017. Sablefish abundance is measured each year as part of a mark-recapture project. Data from this project are used to estimate abundance, biomass, and acceptable harvest rate.
The sablefish fishery experienced a large year class in 2014, which has been recruiting to the fishery resulting in improved abundance since 2016. "The 2014-year class is estimated to be higher than any other on record, however, there remains uncertainty due to the lack of older mature fish. The department will continue to closely monitor survey results, biological data, and recruitment and spawning biomass trends."
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