The Yellowfin Sole (Limanda aspera) Resource of the Eastern Bering Sea : Its Current and Future Potential for Commercial Fisheries

Yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera) is a major fishery resource of the eastern Bering Sea, ranking second in abundance only to walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma). Yellowfin sole are relatively small, slow-growing flatfish. They averaged 26.5 cm (10.4 in) and 27.7 cm (10.9 in) in foreign trawl catches in 1979 and 1980, respectively. These sizes are representative of fish 11-12 yr of age. Even at the oldest ages (15-20 yr), most of the fish average less than 1 lb. Recent commercial catches have ranged between 87,000 and 99,000 metric tons (t) annually. However, the population is presently capable of supporting larger catches. 1982 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) NWFSC (Northwest Fisheries Science Center) AFSC (Alaska Fisheries Science Center) Library Public Domain 1864