Deepwater Redfish (Northern population)

Sebastes mentella

SARA Status
No Status NS	Special Concern SC	Threatened TH	Endangered EN	Extirpated EX

SARA Status

No Status NS
Special Concern SC
Threatened TH
Endangered EN
Extirpated EX

COSEWIC Status
Not at Risk NR	Special Concern SC	Threatened TH	Endangered EN	Extirpated EX

COSEWIC Status

Not at Risk NR
Special Concern SC
Threatened TH
Endangered EN
Extirpated EX

Description

Deepwater Redfish (Sebastes mentella) are bright red groundfish with spiny-rays, are characterized by a bony protrusion on their lower jaw (known as a “beak”), have large eyes, and bony spines that cover their gills. They reach sexual maturity very late (10-15 years of age), and abundant generations are observed only every 5 to 12 years. Redfish are distinguished from other fish by their slow growth and long lifespan; they can grow up to 60 cm in length and live up to 75 years.

Habitat

The Deepwater Redfish is found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In Canadian waters, its range extends from the Grand Banks to Baffin Bay, and includes the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Laurentian Channel, and the Labrador Sea. There are two Deepwater Redfish populations in Canadian waters: the Northern population and the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Laurentian Channel population. The Northern population includes the Grand Banks, the Labrador Shelf, Davis Strait and Baffin Bay (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Areas 0 and 2+3KLNO).

Larvae occur in surface waters down to about 30m, where they feed on copepods and fish eggs, while adults live in cold, deep waters (from 350 to 500 metres) where they feed on shrimp and fish.

Deepwater Redfish, Northern population — This map shows the location of the Northern population of Deepwater Redfish. It is observed in the areas east of Newfoundland and Labrador and Baffin Island.

Threats

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has identified directed fisheries and by-catch in fisheries directing for other species as the main threats to the Northern population of Deepwater Redfish.

Further Information

For more information, visit the Species at Risk Registry.