Temporal variations in the abundance, activity, and trophic patterns of the rockfish, Se bastes capensis, off the central Chilean coast

We studied seasonal abundance, activity, and feeding patterns of the rockfish, Sebastes capensis (Gmelin 1788), in two localities off the central Chilean coast. Rockfishes were seasonally sampled from May 1989 to February 1990 using experimental gillnets at depths between 5 and 20 m. The results showed that most of the nearshore population of S. capensis consisted of large-sized adult individuals (> 16 cm total length), which were mainly active during the night. The abundance of this species (expressed as nightime CPUE ) showed a clear seasonal pattern with maximum values during winter and spring, minimum values during fall, and intermediate values during summer. A variety of decapod crustaceans, including rock shrimps and crabs, were the most common prey. The patterns described for S. capensis are discussed in relation to other fish species present in the area, and in terms of the recent fishing pressure exerted on this species.