A Survey of Bycatch in the Louisiana Gulf Menhaden Fishery
A survey was made of incidental catch in the Louisiana gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) purse seine fishery. Samples were taken in 1980 and 198 I at plants located at Empire, Dulac, and Cameron. Overall the bycatch comprised 2.68% by number and 2.35% by weight of the catches sampled. The most abundant species were Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), seatrout (Cynoscion spp.), threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) , Atlantic bumper (Chloroscombrus chrysurus), hardhead catfish (Arius felis), and spot (Leiostomus xanthurus). Differences in species composition and abundance of bycatch...
