California Yellowtail Research

During the summer fishing season in southern California, the yellowtail are a prized fish onboard the Sea Star.  These fish put up a great fight, excite everyone onboard, and make for great dinner meals!  This last year, we caught an 18lb yellow in the middle of August and everyone onboard was stoked!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200667676591328&set=o.162031247182536&type=1&theater

There isn’t much research on this species according to Stuart Sandin, a UCSD professor, and graduate student Noah Ben-Aderet.  They have been awarded a $25,000 grant to focus on two main questions to ensure the sport fishery’s long-term sustainability:

1) whether there is a resident year-round yellowtail population in San Diego,

2) whether these fish are successfully spawning locally.

Owyn Snodgrass, a research biologist at NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, who is a collaborator on the project, said that it’s possible yellowtail are spawning offshore locally or even inshore in kelp beds.

This new study will be helpful in keeping our industry educated, engaged, and successful.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d_lpLRq0MA