Recruitment, Distribution, and Feeding Habits of Young-of-the-Year California Halibut {Paralichthys californicus) in the Vicinity of Alamitos Bay-Long Beach Harbor, California, 1983-1985'

Abstract

Distribution, recruitment, and feeding habits of young-of-the-year (YOY,SL) California halibut were investigated during the spring and early summer months of 1983-1985 in shallow water (0-6 m) near Alamitos Bay- Long Beach Harbor. YOY halibut were most abundant in fully-protected waters; semi-protected waters contained one-half to one-quarter the number of YOY halibut. No YOY halibut were collected at the exposed coast site. Newly recruited halibut ranged from 8 to 1 2 mm SL and were approximately 20 to 29 days old. Gammarid amphipods, mysids, teleosts, and harpacticoid copepods were the major food items of YOY halibut. Recruitment was signifi- cantly greater in 1983 and 1984 than in 1985 (catch-per-unit-effbrt in 1983 > 1984 > 1985).