A basis for the development of a management plan for red drum in Texas

Abstract

The life cycle of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is generally well known and consists of spawning in the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean in the late summer and fall, utilization of estuarine nurseries, and return to the gulf or ocean at age III to V. However, many details of the life history are unclear or unknown. Estimates of life history parameters except length-weight relationships are generally imprecise, undocumented, or unknown. Long-term trends in size composition and stock abundance are generally unknown, but recent evidence suggests that recent recruitment to the spawning population may have been small, in part possibly associated with the lack of hurricanes during the spawning season. Spawner-recruit relationships have not been examined. Habitat requirements are generally unknown. Red drum harvest has occurred mainly in estuaries throughout the year by commercial and recreational fishermen. The exact harvest is unknown but exceeds 500,000 fish and 500,000 kg. Less than 636 commercial fishermen using nets and trotlines harvest most of these fish. There are at least 500,000 red drum anglers. Total economic impacts (retail level) of commercial fishermen were generally less than $7 million while those of anglers were over $118 million. The commercial fishery supplied at least 66,000 consumers with red drum while the recreational fishery supplied at least 61,000 consumers.Red drum populations do not have a great biological capacity to withstand growth overfishing. Therefore, a conservative approach to management of this species is suggested, especially since the best available data indicate growth overfishing has occurred. This has been the approach of past management, but increasing fishing demands might warrant additional action for conservative management. Possible alternatives are presented, including: harvest restrictions, habitat improvements, stocking, and participant limitations.