Explore distribution and biology using the survey data

[chantelwetzel-noaa]

Data questions that can improve our understanding of sablefish distribution (depth, latitude, sex, etc.) and biological patterns across the West Coast using WCGBT survey data. Here is an initial list of items to consider:

• Size and age by sex across depth and latitude. We will want to explore sex-specific selectivity differences for both the commercial and survey data and visualizing the WCGBT survey can help inform this decision.
• CPUE patterns in the survey data by depth and latitude.
• Distribution by depth in terms of presence/absence in survey tows and the distribution of sex by depth and latitude. An example figure across depth can be found in the Dover sole assessment.
• Patterns is length-at-age across the coast. Kapur et al. 2020 identified differences in growth across the species range.