Harvest estimates for Texas marine charter boats September 1980-August 1981

Abstract

Gulf snapper headboats (>10 people/boat) were surveyed from September 1980-August 1981 and bay headboats and bay and Gulf party boats were surveyed during summer (June-August 1981) only. Species composition of catch varied greatly between areas of fishing and boat type. The annual Gulf snapper headboat harvest in the Gulf areas of Texas was approximately 331,000 fish. During summer Gulf party boat fishermen harvested approximately 105,000 fish; and bay party boat and bay headboat fishermen harvested approximately 89,000 fish each. Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) constituted the majority (77%) of the Gulf snapper headboat landings; king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla), red snapper and dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus) constituted the majority (68%) of the Gulf party boat landings . Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) constituted the majority (94%) of the bay party boat landings and sand seatrout (C. arenarius) and Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) constituted the majority (62%) of the bay headboat landings. Approximately 53% of the yearly Gulf party boat trips were made during summer. Bay party boats made approximately 22% of their yearly trips during summer in the upper and middle coastal areas and approximately 57% of the yearly trips during summer in the lower coastal areas.