A NOAA Fisheries study published in Marine and Coastal Fisheries found that juvenile sablefish are increasing in coastal waters from Central Oregon to northern Washington, competing with juvenile salmon for food. The study links this trend to warming ocean temperatures and reports of smaller sablefish appearing closer to shore.
Juvenile sablefish, like young salmon, feed near the ocean surface and consume similar prey. However, sablefish are voracious eaters and can consume larger and more prey than salmon of the same size. While researchers found no direct evidence of sablefish eating young salmon, they noted the potential for it.
The study highlights the challenge of measuring the exact impact of sablefish competition on salmon survival, as salmon numbers fluctuate yearly. However, the overlap in feeding areas suggests salmon may face a disadvantage, especially as climate change reduces food availability.
In 2020, juvenile sablefish outnumbered young Chinook and coho salmon significantly, and they had fuller stomachs. Climate change projections indicate increasing risks to salmon, while sablefish may thrive if their juvenile boom leads to larger adult populations.