First report of sablefish in spawning condition off the coast of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands

The population status of sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria (Anoplopomatidae) inhabiting the Asian coast of the western North Pacific is still uncertain, with no direct observations of sablefish spawning. This paper describes the first capture of pre-spawning and spawning individuals in Pacific waters off the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka, suggesting that sablefish spawning may occur on the southwestern edge of their range. Traditionally these areas have not been considered as suitable sablefish habitat. The spatial distribution of sablefish during pre-spawning periods suggests the use of quasi stationary eddies. Further study of juvenile sablefish presence and survival will require ichthyoplankton surveys, and elucidation of population status of sablefish inhabiting the study area will require genetic investigation. (c) 2005 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.