Trends in finfish catches by private sport-boat fishermen in Texas marine waters through May 1984

Date

1985

Authors

Osburn, H. R.
Ferguson, M. O.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Fisheries Branch

Abstract

Creel surveys conducted in Texas bays since fall 1974 have shown a decline in annual finfish landings by weekend sport-boat fishermen. The estimated annual landings during 1974-76 for seven bay systems were 2.6 million fishes (1.2 million kg). During 1983-84 estimated annual landings for these same seven bay systems were 1.0 million fishes (0.7 million kg). This decline in landings was accompanied by a decline in the mean annual catch rates and possibly in fishing pressure. The mean annual catch rate fell from an estimated 0.98 fish/trip man-h during 1974-75 to an estimated 0.44 fish/trip man-h during 1983-84. Pressure fell from 3.2 million fishing trip man-h during 1974-76 to 2.4 million fishing trip man-h during 1983-84. The Galveston Bay system had the highest fishing pressure with a mean of 0.90 million fishing trip man-h/year and the San Antonio Bay system had the lowest fishing pressure with a mean of 0.15 million fishing trip man-h/year. Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) was the fish most frequently landed (40%) in each year, and with the exception of several species grouped in the other fishes category, gafftopsail catfish (Bagre marinus) was landed the least (2%). Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and black drum (Pogonias cromis) accounted for 6% and 4% of the total annual landings, respectively.

Description

165 pgs.

Keywords

surveys, finfish, sport fishing, landing statistics, catch statistics, pressure, spotted seatrout, gafftopsail catfish, red drum, black drum

Citation