China rockfish, yellostripe rockfish, yellow spotted rockfish• Sebastes nebulosus
{Sebastos = magnificent, venerable; nebulosus = clouded}
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Photos by Jenn Burt
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Identification
The China rockfish is dark blue or black with a distinctive wide yellow stripe along each side, swooping from the front of the dorsal fin to the tail. The stripe has a mottled appearance, and yellow spots mottle other areas of the body as well. It reaches 4.5 cm long and 1.7 kg.
Habitat & Range
This territorial species inhabits shallow and exposed rocky reefs along outer coastlines. It remains in the same area for many years if not for life. Its range extends from the western Gulf of Alaska to southern California.
Human uses
The China rockfish has been over-exploited by commercial fishing in many locations, and the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch program recommends avoiding this species when choosing seafood, as does Ocean Wise. It is also fished by recreational anglers.
Concerns about rockfish population levels have led to the creation of Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) in inshore locations along the BC coast. See the Living Oceans Society map of RCAs and Fisheries and Oceans Canada for more information on these areas.
The China rockfish is dark blue or black with a distinctive wide yellow stripe along each side, swooping from the front of the dorsal fin to the tail. The stripe has a mottled appearance, and yellow spots mottle other areas of the body as well. It reaches 4.5 cm long and 1.7 kg.
Habitat & Range
This territorial species inhabits shallow and exposed rocky reefs along outer coastlines. It remains in the same area for many years if not for life. Its range extends from the western Gulf of Alaska to southern California.
Human uses
The China rockfish has been over-exploited by commercial fishing in many locations, and the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch program recommends avoiding this species when choosing seafood, as does Ocean Wise. It is also fished by recreational anglers.
Concerns about rockfish population levels have led to the creation of Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) in inshore locations along the BC coast. See the Living Oceans Society map of RCAs and Fisheries and Oceans Canada for more information on these areas.
References
Froese, R. and Luna, S. M. Sebastes nebulosus Ayres, 1854 China rockfish. FishBase. Accessed 09/03/2015.
Harbo, R. M. (2011). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northwest [revised]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 217.
Lamb, A. and Edgell, P. Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest. Revised. (2010). Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. Pp. 155-156.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2015).
Froese, R. and Luna, S. M. Sebastes nebulosus Ayres, 1854 China rockfish. FishBase. Accessed 09/03/2015.
Harbo, R. M. (2011). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northwest [revised]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 217.
Lamb, A. and Edgell, P. Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest. Revised. (2010). Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. Pp. 155-156.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2015).
