Bering wolffish COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 11

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Special Significance of the Species

So little is known of the Bering wolffish in Canadian waters that it is difficult to attribute significance beyond a need for further investigation into its distribution and population size. While wolffish have been documented to be a part of the diet of marine mammals such as the ringed seal (Smith, 1977), the extent of this, and related age/size factors are unclear. Although wolffish generally are excellent eating and have hides that can be tanned, the patchy distribution of the Bering wolffish, coupled with the logistical challenges of exploitation, make it an unlikely candidate for a commercial fishery. In Canada, only one isolated population of this species has been identified, with a distance of over 1200 km to the next known population in Alaska. This renders recruitment unlikely to be significant, and suggests this unique population is one of national significance.