Species covered in proposed rule • Marine Bottomfish • Other
Other Description longfin smelt
Rule to Change: Two changes are needed to WAC 220-12-010 -- Food fish classification.
New Rule Proposal: On the list of food fish species the scientific names are incorrect for spiny dogfish and longfish smelt. North Pacific spiny dogfish should be listed as Squalus suckleyi and longfin smelt should be listed as Spirinchus thaleichthys.
Why the change is needed: In 2010 a publication by Ebert et al. found morphological and genetic evidence to separate the endemic North Pacific spiny dogfish from the currently recognized spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias). The North Pacific spiny dogfish was originally described as an independent species by Girard in 1854, thus the scientific name Squalus suckleyi was "resurrected" for this endemic species. Recognition of this species is more than purely academic because it means the population being managed is effectively a unique entity rather than a component of a more broadly distributed species.
Longfin smelt are currently listed in the WAC as Spirinchus dilatus. This species name is a junior synonym to the correct name, which is Spirinchus thaleichthys, by 74 years. The correct name needs to be used so that harvest and management of this species employ a vocabulary shared by the scientific community at large.
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Dave Ebert, Moss Landing Marine Lab.
http://fishbase.org (which reflects the naming conventions of the American Fisheries Society)
Describe their support and/or concerns:
Both name updates will bring the WAC in-line with currently accepted naming conventions. For S. suckleyi this move is supported by Dr. Ebert. For both species there is an AFS committee whose sole purpose is to ensure that scientific names are accurately and broadly used whenever possible.
Submitted by: LOWRY, DAYV — ,
Date submitted: 06/01/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Not Recommended for further consideration Reference ID: DFW413123
This change will be made as part of a different process for Washington Administrative Code (WAC) simplification and clarification, and is scheduled to occur during 2014.
Online Public Comments(0 comments)
No online public comments submitted for this proposal.
