Gulf pier and jetty finfish catch statistics for the Gulf waters of Texas, September 1978-August 1979

Date

1980

Authors

McEachron, L.W.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Fisheries Branch

Abstract

From September 1978 through August 1979 Gulf piers and jetties were surveyed in the High Island-Galveston-Freeport, Port Aransas-Corpus Christi and Port Isabel areas. Bottom fishes, mainly sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius), Atlantic croaker (Micropogon undulatus) and 'other' fishes were the main fishes retained. Weekday annual mean catch rates (kg/man-h) for all species combined ranged from 0.09 to 0.12 kg/man-h. Weekend catch rates ranged from 0.03 to 0.04 kg/man-h. Weekday catch rates were two to three times higher than those recorded on weekends. It is recommended that a survey of the fall surf run of red drum (Sciaenops ocellata) be included in future surveys. This survey indicates that the fishermen using Gulf piers and jetties are probably not severely affecting fish stocks in the surf zone. It appear that for the number of persons fishing few fish are being caught.

Description

27 pgs.

Keywords

sport fishing, finfish fisheries, Cynoscion arenarius, Micropogon undulatus, Atlantic croaker, sand seatrout

Citation