Biological characteristics of the catch from 1984-85 Pacific herring, Clupea harengus pallasi, roe fishery in California

Abstract

In Tomales Bay, 5-, 6-, and 7-yr-old herring, Clupea harengus pallasi, composed 75% by number of the 1984-85 season's catch. In San Francisco Bay, 2-, 3-, and 4-yr-old herring composed 82% by number of the roundhaul catch, and 5-, 6-, and 7-yr-old herring composed 68% by number of the gill net catch. The percent of 4-yr-old herring increased to a record high level in the San Francisco Bay gill net catch. Recruitment of 2-yr-old herring into the San Francisco Bay roundhaul fishery was excellent, with 2-yr-old herring composing 41% of the catch. The growth rate of herring improved in both Tomales and San Francisco Bays, after the period of poor growth during the recent El Nino, when the weight of herring averaged 20% below normal. (23pp.)