Species Composition and Behavioral Characteristics of Released Black Rockfish, Sebastes inermis in the Coastal Waters off Namhae Island, Korea

Abstract

Seventeen fish species were counted in an underwater visual census, and the most common species, Sebastes inermis and Halichoeres poecilopterus, were released. More than 60% of the released S.inermis occurred near a fish farm 5 days after release, but they moved to a distant rocky area, and decreasing numbers were seen near the farm 90 days after release. In pots, a total of 722 individuals belonging to 43 species occurred, and released S.inermis dominated with 174 individuals recaptured during the study period. The other common fish species were Stephanolepis cirrhifer and Acanthopagrus schlegeli. The percentage of recapture was 0.23%, but declined to 0.12% at 90 days after release. The potential predators of released S.inermis included Lateolabrax japonicus and Sebastes schlegeli.