State-Federal cooperative program for red drum research in the Gulf of Mexico: a three year plan.

This report describes the plan, its development, funding and designated participants. The objective of the cooperative program was to provide scientific information necessary for sound management of red drum resources in the Gulf of Mexico. The plan incorporated a wide range of surveys and studies in both coastal and FCZ waters across the entire Gulf. The three-year plan addressed four major research areas: stock assessment, including catch/effort data; stock identification; age and growth validation; and fishery-independent stock assessment. Program planning, review, and communication of results were through the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.