Evidence for a Home Site and Homing of Adult Yellowtail Rockfish, Sebastes flavidus

Abstract

Existence of a home site and homing ability was established for adult yellowtail rockfish, Sebastes flavidus (Ayres). Fish returned to the home site from as far as 22.5 km, some after displacement to other schools of the species and some after 3 months in captivity. Stretches of deep open water appeared to pose a hindrance to homing. Intensive fishing of a localized adult stock could cause a long-term decline in its abundance.