Species Trends in Sport Fisheries,
Monterey Bay, California 1959-86.
Marine Fisheries Review. 1995. 57: 1-16.
Mason, J..
ABSTRACT
Three surveys spanning 28 years were examined for changes
in species caught by recreational fishers from small boats (skiffs)
and commercial passenger fishing vessels (CPFV's) in California's
Monterey Bay region. As fishing effort increased, the catch of
certain near shore species of rockfish, Sebastes spp., declined.
CPFV fishing was conducted farther from port and in deeper water to
compensate for declining abundance while most skiffs remained in
traditional areas close to port. The trend toward deeper water
CPFV fishing has been interrupted only temporarily by increased
availability of near shore species. Life history characteristics
of rockfish including residential behavior, variable recruitment
and natural longevity contribute to a vulnerability to localized
overfishing for several species.