Results from the underwater camera survey of the 49 Fathom Pinnacle and Snakehead Bank sites near Kodiak Island, Alaska

The distribution of federally managed fish species in the Gulf of Alaska and identification of essential fish habitat is poorly understood. Several commercially important fish species are associated with rocky substrates which is also ideal habitat for structure-forming invertebrates such as coral and sponge. However, it is not known whether the additional complexity of rocky substrates with structure-forming invertebrates increases fish abundance or if bare, rocky substrate alone (e.g., boulders) attracts similar numbers of fishes. Two sites were selected off of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska and 40 underwater camera transects were deployed to assess benthic habitat and fish density. The data extracted from the images included substrate classifications as well as coral, sponge, and fish counts and identification. [doi:10.7289/V5AFSC-PR-2017-06 (https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/AFSC-PR-2017-06)] by R. Wilborn, C. Conrath, B. Knoth, and C. Rooper. "May 2017." System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Includes bibliographical references (pages 9-12).