SablefishBlack cod, butterfish, skilfish

Details

  • Latin name: 
    Anoplopoma fimbria
  • Seafood type: Sablefish
  • Harvest method: Bottom trawl
  • Region: Alaska
  • Wild/Farmed: 
    Wild
Status: 
Not Recommended

Sablefish

Credit: DFO
Sustainable alternatives: 
Sablefish caught in BC and Alaska using bottom longlines and traps are sustainable options.
Sustainability concerns: 
Bottom Trawling results in significant levels of bycatch and causes the disturbance of seafloor habitats.
Sablefish, also known as Black cod, have been previously overexploited. Progressive management regimes in BC and Alaska have resulted in rebuilding of Sablefish populations to levels that can support a sustainable fishery. The majority of Sablefish in BC and Alaska are caught using longlines but a small porportion are caught in bottom trawls, which causes serious damage to seafloor habitats.
Life History and Population Status: 
Sablefish are a long-living, deep water fish that matures fairly early, around 5 years. Two populations have been identified along the Northeast Pacific: the northern population, which inhabits waters from Northern BC to Alaska and a southern population, which extends from California to southern BC. Previous overfishing reduced population numbers dramatically. Recent assessments indicate that populations are increasing and considered healthy and abundant.
Management: 
In Canada, the sablefish fishery is managed jointly by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Sablefish Association. Together they conduct research, perform stock assessments and provide enforcement. In Alaska, the fishery for Sablefish is regulated by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Regular assessments are performed and catch limits are restricted accordingly. While the majority of Sablefish in BC and Alaska are caught using longlines, some of the landings are from groundfish fishery bottom trawls.
Impact on Other Species: 
Bottom trawling is a nonspecific harvest method that results in the capture of significant numbers of non-target species.
Habitat and Ecosystem Impacts: 
Bottom trawls disturb seafloor habitats. The extent of this damage depends on the type of seafloor and sensitivity of the organisms found in trawled areas. Sablefish are trawled from muddy and sandy seabed habitats, which are thought to incur less long-term damage than other seabed types such as rocky reefs.

Notes:

  • No or little concern in this area.
  • Significant concern in this area.
  • Area under study.