S. P. Malvestuto

A total of 230 otoliths was used for age and growth analysis of Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Male fish in the sample ranged from ages 0 to 6, whercas females were 0 to 4 years old. Females exhibited faster growth than did males. Von Bertalanffy growth equations were: males L = 552( I - e -0'''''+ 16h,), and females L = 604(1 - e 04'" ")751). Growth equations from this study showed that both sexes grew at significantly slower rates than did Spanish mackerel in south Florida waters. Age-frequency distributions showed a differential pattern of...

Creel survey data collected from the marine recreational fishery in Alabama revealed that there were differences in harvest per unit of effort (HPUE) between the eastern and western sides of Mobile Bay. The total recreational landings from Alabama marine waters and adjacent offshore waters was 1,300,000 fish weighing 772,700 kilograms. Of the 2,250,000 angler-hours exerted on the fishery, 1,245,000 angler-hours (55%) were directed at particular species of fish, primarily flounders, red drum, speckled seatrout, Spanish mackerel and king mackerel. HPUE of Spanish mackerel and king mackerel...

Roving creel surveys were conducted on 2 Southeastern reservoirs from March 1980 to February 1981. Two creel clerks performed the field work. Evaluation of creel clerk performance descriptors (number of missing questionnaire entries and interview length) documented a clerk break-in period. Variation in fishing effort affected clerk data gathering efficiency (percent of fishermen sampled). Clerks differed in administering a modified Likert response format on 12 of 17 attitudinal questions posed to fishermen. Clerks did not differ in their sampling of fishermen types or total number of fish...

The striped bass (9) white bass (d') hybrid (Monroe saxatilis X chrysops) was fIrst stocked into West Point Reservoir in May of 1978. Fishermen interviews established that a fIshery had developed as early as January of 1979. The hybrid bass were stocked at 2 rates over the period of study, 84 mixed fry and fingerlings per hectare in 1978 and 150 mixed fry and fingerlings per hectare in 1979. Fish in the 1979 year class had a mean length at annulus 1 which was 48 mm greater than those stocked in 1978; threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) made up most of the diet, and increased growth in 1979...