ABSTRACT Rockfishes, Sebastes spp.. were the most numerous and speciose fishes seen during 16 submersible dives from 64 to 305 m depth in the vicinity of Heceta Bank off the coast of Oregon. Dense schools of juvenile rockfishes and large yellowtail rockfish, S. flavidus, were observed only over rocky, high relief areas near the top of the bank, and highest densities of small benthic rockfishes (up to 5-10/m2) on the flanks of the bank. These observations suggest that shallow, rocky portions of Heceta Bank are a nursery area for juvenile rockfishes. Two species groups of nonschooling fishes were identified based on transects over the seafloor habitats around the bank: one comprised primarily of rockfishes in shallow water on rock and cobble, and the other comprised of flatfishes, agonids, sablefish, and some rockfishes in deep water over mud and cobble. Species composition of fishes observed from submersible dives dif- fered from species composition of fishes taken from trawl catches in the same general areas.

Depth range
64- 305 m

Mesophotic “mentions”
0 x (total of 1307 words)

Classification
* Presents original data
* Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range
* Focused on 'temperate mesophotic ecosystem'

Fields
Ecology
Fisheries

Focusgroups
Fishes

Locations
USA - Continental Pacific Ocean

Platforms
Manned Submersible