Sablefish

A sablefish resting on the soft sediments blanketing the deep canyon floor at about 800 m. The red spots (top) are lasers, spaced 10 cm apart, that are used to estimate the size of organisms that inhabit the area.

Also sablefish are found in the northeastern Pacific Ocean from northern Mexico to the Gulf of Alaska, and west of the Aleutian Islands and into the Bering Sea.

Therefore there are two populations in the Pacific Ocean:  Northern population inhabits Alaska and northern British Columbia waters.

Southern population inhabits southern British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California waters.

Both populations mix off southwest Vancouver Island and northwest Washington.

They are most commonly found in Alaska waters.

Islands in the Stream: May 10 – October 3, 2001