Age and growth of black drum (Pogonias cromis Linneaus) from Galveston Bay

Age and growth determinations were made for 487 black drum gill netted from Galveston Bay during September 1981 through August 1982. Scales, otoliths and length-frequency distribution yielded similar age and growth determinations for black drum ranging from 140 to 400 mm standard length and 1 to 3 years old. Mean standard length for drum at age 1,2 and 3 was 182, 283 and 369 mm. respectively. The theoretical growth equation developed for black drum through age 3 was lt = 640(1-e-0.2783(t+0.1562)). Standard and total length-weight relationships were log W = 2.939 log SL - 4.24 and log W = 3.038 log TL -4.958, respectively. The relationship of standard length to total length was TL = 13.199 + 1.209 SL. Results from this study are comparable with length-age determinations for drum from other areas along the Gulf of Mexico and Chesapeake Bay.