Rockfish Abundance Survey
The Vancouver Aquarium has developed a new Rockfish Abundance Survey and we need volunteer divers to help conduct these surveys in the field.
By taking part in the Rockfish Abundance Survey, divers will help gather crucial information about a valuable resource with locally depleted stocks. Divers participating in the annual survey will collect information about the size, age and species of rockfish. These data will enable us to determine rockfish abundance around the coast of British Columbia.
This survey runs from August 7 to September 13, 2009. It is volunteer-based, so we need your help!For data sheets and further information contact:Kevin Kaufman at (604) 659 3440 / kevin.kaufman@vanaqua.org
As you may be aware, conservation of BC’s inshore rockfish species is a serious matter owing to the slow maturation, longevity and small home territories of these fishes. They are all too easy to catch, and are still a target of poachers. In 2007, Fisheries and Oceans Canada finalized a total of 164 Rockfish Conservation Areas in BC, to aid the recovery of BC’s inshore rockfish species.
Over the past few years, the Aquarium’s Rockfish Abundance Survey has met with much less interest than the seasonal LINGCOD EGG MASS SURVEY. To assist people with developing rockfish species identification skills, the online ROCKFISH GAME has been developed specifically for local BC inshore species, which sometimes have slightly different color patterns than the same species in, say, California.
Recent research findings by the Vancouver Aquarium’s Howe Sound dive research team indicate that, in BC, some rockfish hide deep in rock piles during winter. Therefore, it has been decided that it was incorrect to suggest that the Rockfish Abundance Survey could be conducted year-round. Late summer typically has good visibility and the rockfish tend to be hovering well above their rocky homesites, so in 2009, the Vancouver Aquarium is promoting the Rockfish Abundance Survey for August 15 to September 15.
From this website you can download the SURVEY INSTRUCTIONS and a DATA COLLECTION FORM . The survey is still a work in progress and all comments are welcome. As with the Lingcod Egg Mass Survey, results may be mailed to us or ENTER DATA ONLINE .
See what some of the more common rockfish species look like by clicking on the following links to DOWNLOAD short videos featuring:
- Copper Rockfish
- Quillback Rockfish
- Tiger Rockfish
- Black Rockfish
- Yelloweye Rockfish
- Vermilion Rockfish
- Yellowtail Rockfish
- Puget Sound Rockfish
To test your rockfish species ID skills, play the online Rockfish Game. If you would like a comprehensive ROCKFISH SPECIES ID CHART, email a request to Research@vanaqua.org.
Good Luck!