Copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) and quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) habitat in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia

Densities of copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) and quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) differ significantly among sites in the northern Strait of Georgia. To determine whether among-site density differences are associated with habitat characteristics of the sites, rockfish densities and habitat characteristics were measured at 12 sites during SCUBA surveys in 1984 and 1985. Quillback rockfish densities were greater in areas of high relief, broken rock, and high percentage cover of flat-bladed kelp, especially on deep transects. Copper rockfish densities were also greater in high relief areas, but effects of other habitat characteristics were not significant. Copper rockfish appeared to be more widely distributed than quillback rockfish over the range of habitats and depths surveyed.