Giant sea bass

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Giant sea bass
Giant Sea Bass, CAS.jpg
A giant sea bass at the California Academy of Sciences
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acropomatiformes
Family: Stereolepididae
Genus: Stereolepis
Species:
S. gigas
Binomial name
Stereolepis gigas
Ayres, 1859
Synonyms [2]
  • Stereolepis californicus Gill, 1863
  • Megaperca ischinagi Hilgendorf, 1878

The giant sea bass (Stereolepis gigas) is a fish native to the North Pacific Ocean. Although commonly referred to as a giant sea bass, black sea bass or giant black sea bass, it is actually a wreckfish in the family Polyprionidae rather than in the sea bass family Serranidae. [3]

Contents

Characteristics

A particularly large giant sea bass Giant sea bass.jpg
A particularly large giant sea bass

There are published reports of giant sea bass exceeding 2.1 metres (7 ft) in length. [4] A 2014 study by Hawk and Allen found specimens up to 2.003 metres (6 ft 6.9 in) long. As growth in the giant sea bass slows with increasing age, the study also reported that the Von Bertalanffy function predicts a maximum length of 2.0622 metres (6 ft 9.19 in) at an indefinite age. Reports of giant sea bass weighing as much as 600 pounds (270 kg) cannot be verified. A specimen weighing 435 pounds (197 kg) was reported in 1971. [5] Aside from its tremendous size, the giant sea bass is also known for its lengthy lifespan. They mature around the age of 11 or 12, around the weight of 50 pounds (23 kg). [4] While some unverifiable reports have claimed that giant sea bass live to 90 or 100 years of age, Hawk and Allen report that while they found several specimens that were very close to the expected maximum size of the fish, none were older than 76 years of age. [6]

In the eastern North Pacific, its range is from Humboldt Bay, California, to the Gulf of California, Mexico, most common from Point Conception southward. In the northwestern Pacific it occurs around Japan. [7] It usually stays near kelp forests, drop-offs, or rocky bottoms and sand or mudflats. [8] Juvenile giant sea bass can be found at depths around 69 feet (21 m), with adults of the species found at depths below 66 feet (20 m). [9] Juveniles of the species are brightly colored in red or orange, however they become gray or brown as they mature. [10]

Diet

Within kelp forests giant sea bass are the apex predator. [10] Giant sea bass feed on crustaceans, as well as a wide variety of fish. For populations off the coast of California, anchovies and croaker are prominent food sources. Mackerel, sheephead, whitefish, sand bass, and several types of crab also make up the sea bass's diet. Despite their great size and bulky appearance, giant sea bass have been known to move extremely quickly, outstripping bonito. [4]

History and conservation

Drawing, 1897 StereolepisGigasGreen.jpg
Drawing, 1897

Recreational fishing of the giant sea bass began in the late 19th century. [11] : 150  Caught off the Central and Southern California coasts in the 20th century, the peak catch of the giant sea bass was in 1932. [8] Once relatively common in Southern California waters, the fish was facing the threat of local extinction there by the 1980s. [12]

Giant sea bass were also a popular "big game" quarry for both freediving and scuba spearfishermen. In the 1970s, spearfishing for this species was made illegal by the California Department of Fish and Game. One notable incident precipitated an abrupt change in the law. Several freedivers had taken seven fish at Santa Cruz Island. They then sold the catch illegally to a fish market in San Pedro. Fish and Game wardens discovered that the fish had been speared by observing the holes and slip tips left behind in their bodies. [13]

By the late 1970s, biologists with the California Department of Fish and Game, recognized that the local population of giant sea bass had declined. Actions were taken, resulting in protection from commercial and sport fishing that went into effect in 1982. [1] In 1996, the species was listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. [14] As of 2004, it is suggested that the population size of giant sea bass in California may be increasing as it is under protection; however, there is no hard data to support it. [1] In 2016, the first successful captive breeding of the species occurred at that Aquarium of the Pacific. [12] The total breeding population in California in 2018 is estimated to be around 500 individuals, of which 40 to 50 return to spawn around Catalina Island each year. [15]

Giant sea bass remain understudied in the Mexican portion of its range, although efforts are underway to monitor the population size, genetic connectivity, and fishing pressure along the Pacific coast of the Baja peninsula. [16] More than half of the range of the giant sea bass are within Mexican waters. [17] In Mexico, the giant sea bass is called mero gigante. [10] The peak catch of giant sea bass in Mexican waters occurred in 1932, when the catch was over 800,000 pounds (360,000 kg). [11] : 209  Prior to 1964, commercial catches of giant sea bass in Mexican waters were above 200,000 pounds (91,000 kg). [11] : 209  In 1981, United States commercial fishermen were initially allowed to catch up to 1,000 pounds (450 kg) of giant sea bass per trip into Mexican waters, and no more than 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) per year; in 1988 the regulation changed to only allow a single giant sea bass fish to be taken in per trip if taken incidentally. [18] Within those waters for over half a century the average catch of giant sea bass by Mexican fishermen has been 55 tonnes (55,000 kg). [17]

Related Research Articles

Bass is a generic common name shared by many species of ray-finned fish from the large clade Percomorpha, mainly belonging to the orders Perciformes and Moroniformes, encompassing both freshwater and marine species. The word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch", despite that none of the commonly referred bass species belong to the perch family Percidae.

Sea bass is a common name for a variety of different species of marine fish. Many fish species of various families have been called sea bass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Striped bass</span> Species of fish

The striped bass, also called the Atlantic striped bass, striper, linesider, rock, or rockfish, is an anadromous perciform fish of the family Moronidae found primarily along the Atlantic coast of North America. It has also been widely introduced into inland recreational fisheries across the United States. Striped bass found in the Gulf of Mexico are a separate strain referred to as Gulf Coast striped bass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spearfishing</span> Hunting for fish using a spear

Spearfishing is fishing using handheld elongated, sharp-pointed tools such as a spear, gig, or harpoon, to impale the fish in the body. It was one of the earliest fishing techniques used by mankind, and has been deployed in artisanal fishing throughout the world for millennia. Early civilizations were familiar with the custom of spearing fish from rivers and streams using sharpened sticks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patagonian toothfish</span> Species of fish

The Patagonian toothfish, also known as Chilean sea bass, mero, and icefish, is a species of notothen found in cold waters between depths of 45 and 3,850 m in the southern Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans and Southern Ocean on seamounts and continental shelves around most Subantarctic islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California spiny lobster</span> Species of crustacean

The California spiny lobster is a species of spiny lobster found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Monterey Bay, California, to the Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexico. It typically grows to a length of 30 cm (12 in) and is a reddish-brown color with stripes along the legs, and has a pair of enlarged antennae but no claws. The interrupted grooves across the tail are characteristic for the species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquarium of the Pacific</span> Public aquarium in Long Beach, California, United States

The Aquarium of the Pacific is a public aquarium on a 5-acre (20,000 m2) site on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, California, United States. It is situated across the water from the Long Beach Convention Center, Shoreline Village, and the Queen Mary Hotel and Attraction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mekong giant catfish</span> Species of fish

The Mekong giant catfish, is a large, threatened species of catfish in the shark catfish family (Pangasiidae), native to the Mekong basin in Southeast Asia and adjacent China. It is considered critically endangered due to overfishing and habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humboldt squid</span> Species of cephalopod

The Humboldt squid, also known as jumbo squid or jumbo flying squid (EN), and Pota in Peru or Jibia in Chile (ES), is a large, predatory squid living in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is the only known species of the genus Dosidicus of the subfamily Ommastrephinae, family Ommastrephidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red drum</span> Species of fish

The red drum, also known as redfish, channel bass, puppy drum, spottail bass, or simply red, is a game fish found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to northern Mexico. It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California halibut</span> Species of fish

The California halibut or California flounder is a large-tooth flounder native to the waters of the Pacific Coast of North America from the Quillayute River in Washington to Magdalena Bay in Baja California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific Undersea Gardens</span>

The Pacific Undersea Gardens was located at the Inner Harbour in the heart of downtown Victoria. The Gardens were owned and operated by the Oak Bay Marine Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marlin fishing</span>

Marlin fishing or billfishing is offshore saltwater game fishing targeting several species of fast-swimming pelagic predatory fish with elongated rostrum collectively known as billfish, which include those from the families Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae (swordfish). It is considered by some fishermen to be a pinnacle of big-game fishing, due to the size, speed and power of the billfish and their relative elusiveness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant Pacific octopus</span> Species of cephalopod

The giant Pacific octopus, also known as the North Pacific giant octopus, is a large marine cephalopod belonging to the genus Enteroctopus and Enteroctopodidae family. Its spatial distribution encompasses much of the coastal North Pacific, from the Mexican state of Baja California, north along the United States' West Coast, and British Columbia, Canada; across the northern Pacific to the Russian Far East, south to the East China Sea, the Yellow Sea, the Sea of Japan, Japan's Pacific east coast, and around the Korean Peninsula. It can be found from the intertidal zone down to 2,000 m (6,600 ft), and is best-adapted to colder, oxygen- and nutrient-rich waters. It is the largest octopus species on earth and can often be found in aquariums and research facilities in addition to the ocean. E. dofleini play an important role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of deep sea ecosystems, cognitive research, and the fishing industry.

<i>Paralabrax clathratus</i> Species of fish

Paralabrax clathratus, the kelp bass, bull bass or calico bass, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, from the subfamily Serraninae, classified as part of the family Serranidae which includes the groupers and anthias. It is found in the eastern North Pacific Ocean where it is an important species for both recreational and commercial fisheries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fishing industry in the United States</span>

As with other countries, the 200 nautical miles (370 km) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the coast of the United States gives its fishing industry special fishing rights. It covers 11.4 million square kilometres, which is the second largest zone in the world, exceeding the land area of the United States.

<i>Oxyjulis</i> Species of fish

Oxyjulis californica is a species of wrasse native to the eastern Pacific Ocean along the coasts of California and Baja California. Its distribution extends from Salt Point in Sonoma County, California, to southern central Baja California, near Cedros Island. It is a very common species; its common name in Spanish is señorita.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jewfish Point</span> Geographical landmark, California, U.S.

Jewfish Point is a headland at the far southern end of Santa Catalina Island in Los Angeles County, in the U.S. state of California. The point was named for a type of grouper, formerly known as the jewfish, that is prized for its taste. The fish has been renamed due to the old name's offensive nature but the old name persists in several toponyms.

<i>Stereolepis</i> Genus of ray-finned fishes

Stereolepis is a genus of marine ray-finned fish native to the Pacific Ocean. It is the only valid genus in the family Stereolepididae in the order Acropomatiformes.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cornish, A. (Grouper & Wrasse Specialist Group) (2004). "Stereolepis gigas". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2004: e.T20795A9230697. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T20795A9230697.en . Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  2. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Polyprionidae". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  3. ↑ "Stereolepis gigas". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 18 April 2006.
  4. 1 2 3 Schultz, Ken (2004). Ken Schultz's Field Guide to Saltwater Fish. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley. p. 182. ISBN   9780471449959.
  5. ↑ Hawk & Allen 2014, pp. 132–133.
  6. ↑ Hawk & Allen 2014, p. 133.
  7. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2019). "Sterolepis gigas monthDecember". FishBase .
  8. 1 2 "Giant sea bass". Animals. Monterey Bay Aquarium. 1999. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  9. ↑ "Giant Sea Bass". Online Learning Center. Aquarium of the Pacific. 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  10. 1 2 3 "About Giant Sea Bass". Marine Science Institute. UC Santa Barbara. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 Leet, William S.; Dewees, Christopher M.; Klingbeil, Richard; Larson, Eric J., eds. (December 2001). California's Living Marine Resources: A Status Report. California Department of Fish and Game Resource Agency. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. ISBN   978-1-879906-57-0. LCCN   2001098707.
  12. 1 2 Sahagun, Louis (4 March 2020). "Scientists seed local seas with imperiled fish. Can giant sea bass make a comeback?". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  13. ↑ Terry, Maas. "Black Seabass Return". Blue Water Freedivers. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Giant (Black) Sea Bass". Channel Islands National Park. National Park Service. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  15. ↑ Sahagun, Louis (21 July 2018). "Giant sea bass are mysterious to scientists. Understanding them could help the species survive". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  16. ↑ Ramirez-Valdez, Arturo; Villasenor-Derbez, Juan Carlos; Sgarlatta, Maria Paula; Rowell, Timothy J.; Dominguez-Guerrero, Isai; Hernandez, Arturo; Gomez, Antonio Gomez; Cota, Juan Jose; Santana-Morales, Omar; Dominguez-Reza, Ricardo; Castro, Jhonatan. "Proyecto Mero Gigante".
  17. 1 2 Ramirez-Valdez, Arturo (4 August 2021). "Giant sea bass are thriving in Mexican waters scientific research that found them to be critically endangered stopped at the US-Mexico border". The Conversation. Waltham, Massachusetts. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
    Ramirez-Valdez, Arturo (9 August 2021). "Marine Ecologist Surprised To Find "Critically Endangered" Giant Sea Bass Thriving in Mexican Waters". SciTechDaily. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  18. ↑ Department of Fish and Game. Giant Sea Bass (Stereolepis gigas) (PDF) (Report). State of California. Retrieved 11 August 2021.

Sources

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