The potential role of marine reserves in the management of shortraker rockfi sh (Sebastes borealis) and rougheye rockfi sh (S. aleutianus) in the Gulf of Alaska

Over 70 species of rockfi sh (genus Sebastes) inhabit the geographic region between the Gulf of California and the Bering Sea, and many of these species are important components in the groundfi sh fi sheries in this region. Rockfi sh are viviparous, and several species mature slowly (>5–10 years), have long life spans (50–140 years), and are particularly vulnerable to overfi shing. Several species off the Pacifi c coast currently subsist at dangerously low levels (Murray et al., 1999), and it is anticipated that rebuilding these stocks will require long periods of time (several decades in some cases). Many ecologists and fi shery managers see marine reserve (or no-take refuge) networks as an attractive supplement to current management systems in the conservation and management of rockfi sh stocks (Murray et al., 1999). Our study explores the potential use of harvest refugia in the specifi c case of shortraker (S. borealis) and rougheye (S. aleutianus) rockfi sh in the Gulf of Alaska. We review the current management system for shortraker and rougheye rockfi sh in the Gulf of Alaska, describe problems confronted under this system, and suggest refuge management as a supplement to the current management regime. The comparison of future biomass and fi shing mortality between the current system and the refuge system will be discussed on the bassis of twentyyear projections from a population dynamics model. The potential impacts of harvest refugia on other Gulf of Alaska fi sheries will also be discussed.