This study was performed to assess the current stock condition of elkhorn sculpin along the Uljin area in the East Sea of Korea. To assess the state of the stock, yield-per-recruit (YPR) and spawning biomass-perrecruit (SBPR) analyses were performed. Estimates of Fmax and F0.1 were 2.10/year and 0.48/year, respectively, and those of F35% and F40% were 0.66/year and 0.54/year, respectively. Current fishing mortality was estimated at 0.63/year and the current age at first capture was 2.41years. F40% was set as the target reference point of the stock. SBPR at F40% and current SBPR were estimated to be 41.85g and 37.77g, respectively. Estimated FOTY which is the fishing mortality for the overfished threshold yield was 0.49/year. The ratio of SBPR/SBPRMSY was calculated as 0.90 and that of F/FOTY was 1.05. The ratio of tc/tc opt was calculated as 1.15 and that of F/FOTY was 1.17. Therefore, the current stock condition of elkhorn sculpin along the Uljin area of Korea has not been overfished, however, it indicates that a light overfishing is going on this stock.

• Jae-Bong Lee
• Dong-Woo Lee
• Young-Min Choi
• Chang-Ik Zhang
• Soo-Jeong Lee