Although commonly called black cod, this fish is not associated examination help cod family, it is one of only two species in its own family. While only recently gaining popularity, U. S. and Canadian fishermen have been harvesting this sablefish because the late 1800s While only lately rising in popularity, U. S. and Canadian fishermen were harvesting this sablefish because the late 1800s Sablefish was an component in the Larry David Sandwich in an episode of the HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 5, Episode 1 Sablefish was an factor in the Larry David Sandwich in an episode of the HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 5, Episode 1 Taxonomic descriptionAlso referred to as black cod, butterfishIn the family AnoplopomatidaeSuperficially resembles participants of the cod family Gadidae but is not relatedLong; dark gray exam help black on upper half of body, lighter gray on the lower halfHas separate dorsal fins; these are used examination help tell it aside from its relative skilfishCan grow up exam help 1 m 3 ft quiz help weigh up examination help 25 kg 55 lbDistributionFound along the northeastern Pacific Ocean from northern Mexico exam help Alaska Most commonly found in Alaska There are two populations in japanese Pacific, Northern quiz help Southern Also found in the western north PacificLife historyLong lived species with 40 yr old fish frequently caughtSome known exam help live 90 years or more Reproduces March April in Alaska; January March in California examination help British Columbia Spawning quiz help early egg development occurs in deeper water Hatched larvae swim examination help floor waters exam help feed on small zooplanktonJuveniles remain inshore until age 2 quiz help begin examination help migrate exam help deeper waterFully mature around ages 5 7 yr HabitatLives on the sea bottom at depths 200 m 650 feet quiz help deeper Some found down exam help 3000 m 9800 ftSmaller juvenile fish live near the skin close examination help the coast Seasonal availabilityYear round with lower catch limits in the course of the winter months spawning season Managing authorityManaged collectively by the California Dept of Fish quiz help Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries quiz help the Pacific Fisheries Management Council Covered under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, which defines coast wide catch limits for fishing groups quiz help gear types, daily trip limits, particular person fishing quotas, quiz help observer coverage amounts Gear typePrimarily fixed gear baited longlines quiz help baited traps , where traps are submerged 0.