Sablefish is a moderately growing, long-lived species that is
found in deep waters of the Pacific Ocean, from northern Alaska
to Baja California. Sablefish abundance is currently at a
moderate level. Abundance depends heavily on annual recruitment,
which may be affected by environmental conditions like water
temperature, currents and food availability. In Alaska,
Sablefish are caught primarily by longlines, while bottom trawls
are used more on the West Coast. Trawls are significantly more
damaging to seafloor ecosystems and result in greater bycatch of
immature and non-target fish. Management of Sablefish is good
overall, with implementation of a quota share system in which
fishers own a share of the total allowed catch and are allowed
to fish at anytime within the season. This allows fishermen the
time to target areas with lower bycatch. Sablefish are one of
the most valuable fisheries in Alaska and the West Coast.