S7RD07 Red snapper discards in Texas coastal waters—a fishery dependent onboard survey of recreational headboat discards and landings.

DOI: doi:10.15781/T2N29PC65

This fishery dependent pilot study determined the quantity and characteristics of red snapper recreational headboat discards and landings from three ports (Galveston, Port Aransas, and Port Isabel) along the Texas coast during the months of August and early September 1999. Mean fishing depth during 42 trips was 23.7 fathoms (range, 7.3 -- 52.2, 11.3 s.d.). Reels sampled were 36.5% of reels in use. A total of 3,863 snapper were sampled during the study period. Snapper <18 inches made up 92.3% of snapper caught, those <15 inches made up 75.5% of the catch. When brought on board, 70.1 % of snapper appeared normal and 26.1 % had their stomach protruding. When discarded, 52.8% of snapper were released alive & swam down, 19.9% swam erratically, 13.2% floated, 1.3% were dead, and 12.9% were kept. Fish released either dead or floating were caught at greater depths than fish which swam down or erratically. Galveston had the largest discard:landing ratio (218:1), smallest mean weight per fish (1.5 pounds), and the smallest mean fish total length (13.2 inches). Port Aransas had the lowest discard: landing ratio (5.2: 1) along with the largest mean weight per fish (2.1 pounds), and mean total length per fish (15.2 inches, 2.5 s.d.).