Giant sea bass

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]

Giant sea bass
A giant sea bass at the California Academy of Sciences
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Polyprionidae
Genus: Stereolepis
Species:
S. gigas
Binomial name
Stereolepis gigas
Ayres, 1859
Synonyms[2]
  • Stereolepis californicus Gill, 1863
  • Megaperca ischinagi Hilgendorf, 1878

Characteristics

Giant sea bass reaching a size of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) and a weight of up to 255 kg (562 lbs) have been reported. However, in Charles F. Holder's book The Channel Islands of California, published in 1910, the author claims specimens taken from the Gulf of California attained 800 lb (360 kg). 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 lb. However, some of the largest specimens have been known to exceed 7 ft, and are estimated to be 75 years or older.[4]

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.[5] It usually stays in relatively shallow water, near kelp forests, drop-offs, or rocky bottoms and sand or mudflats.

Photo of a particularly large giant sea bass being displayed

Diet

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

Giant sea bass were once a relatively common inhabitant of Southern California waters, yet in the 1980s, it was facing the threat of local extinction off the California coast.[6] Beginning in the late 19th century, the species supported both a commercial fishery taking hundreds of thousands of pounds annually, and a sport fishery that also landed hundreds of fish each year.

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 unfortunate incident precipitated this abrupt change in the law. Several freedivers had taken 7 fish at Santa Cruz Island. Unable to eat nearly a ton of fish, they sold the fish 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.[7]

By the late 1970s, biologists with the California Department of Fish and Game, recognized that the local population of giant sea bass was in trouble. Actions were taken, resulting in protection from commercial and sport fishing that went into effect in 1982. 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10]

References
  1. 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. Schultz, Ken (2004). Ken Schultz's Field Guide to Saltwater Fish. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley. p. 182. ISBN 9780471449959.
  5. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2019). "Sterolepis gigas" in FishBase. April 2019 version.
  6. Sahagun, Louis (2020-03-05). "Scientists seed local seas with imperiled fish. Can giant sea bass make a comeback?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
  7. Terry, Maas. "Black Seabass Return". Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  8. "Stereolepis gigas", IUCN Redlist
  9. Sahagun Louis (July 21, 2018). Giant sea bass are mysterious to scientists. Understanding them could help the species survive. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved july 21, 2018.
  10. "Proyecto Mero Gigante".
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