Weekend sport boat fishermen finfish catch statistics for Texas Bay systems, May 1974-1981

Date

1982

Authors

McEachron, L.W.
Green, A.W.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Fisheries Branch

Abstract

Creel surveys conducted in Texas bays since 1974 have shown a decline in annual landings by sport boat fishermen. The estimated annual landings during 1974-76 for seven bay systems were 2.6 million fishes (1.3 million kg). During 1980-81 annual landing for the same seven bay systems were 1.0 million fishes (0.6 million kg). This decline in landings was accomplished by a decline in the mean annual catch rates and possibly in fishing pressure. The mean annual catch rate fell from and estimated 0.98 fish/ man-h during 1974-75, to an estimated 0.44 fish per man-h during 1980-81. Pressure fell from 3.2 million fishing trip man-h during 1974-76 to 2.4 million fishing trip man-h during 1980-81. The Galveston Bay system had the highest fishing pressure (a mean of 0.95 million fishing trip man-h per year) and the Matagorda Bay system had the lowest fishing pressure (a mean of 0.17 million fishing trip man-h per year). Spotted seatrout was the most frequent fish landed (>38% in every bay system) and with the exception of several species grouped in an other fishes catagory, gafftopsail catfish was landed the least (<2%). Red drum accounted for <5% and black drum accounted for <4% of the total annual landings.

Description

123 pgs.

Keywords

finfish fisheries, recreation, sport fishing, marine fish, sport fishing statistics, catch statistics

Citation