(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - drum, red
OTHER COMMON NAMES - redfish, channel bass, puppy drum, bull redfish, bass, sea bass, spotted bass, spottail, red rat, pescado, colorado, drum and branded drum
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Chordata,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Osteichthyes,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Perciformes, Percoidie
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Sciaenidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Sciaenops,
SPECIES AND SSP - ocellatus,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Sciaenops ocellatus
AUTHORITY - Linnaeus, 1766
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 75, 100 and 228
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Some common names are redfish and channel bass.*75* Other common names
include puppy drum, bull redfish, bass, red bass, sea bass, spotted bass,
spottail, rat red, pescado colorado, drum, and branded drum.*100*
The fish called "drums" often produce drumming sounds, sometimes rather
loud. The sound is produced, usually by males, by vibrating special muscles
near the swim bladder. The drumming can be heard when the animals spawn or
when they are taken from the water.*228*
There are 33 species of Scieaenidae in United States waters, 22 of then in
Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico waters. Scientists classify red drums as Scianops
ocellatus, which translates roughly to "a perch-like marine fish with an
eye-like spot." The eye-like spot on the tail is an easily recognized
identification feature. The fish was first described to science by Linnaeus
in 1766.*228*
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Sport Fish
Game (Consumptive Recreational)
Commercial
Commercial/consumption
Existing, FMP exists
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 75 and 171
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
The red drum fishery has a long history. As early as the 1700's a
substantial sport and commercial fishery existed from Virginia southward to
Georgia. Conflicts between recreational and commercial fishermen and
complaints of overharvest arose prior to 1900, particularly in the Gulf of
Mexico, and they continue to date. The fishery has been essentially
restricted to the Gulf since 1887; approximately 70% of weight of the
redfish harvest occurred long the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico.*228*
The red drum is one of the most important sport and commercial coastal
species in the Gulf of Mexico.*75*
Red drum is a highly sought food and game fish throughout its range.*100*
A fishery management plan for the Atlantic States was adopted for red drum
in 1984.*171*
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - MARINE
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 252
LAND USE -
Bays and Estuaries
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 252
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Estuarine
Estuarine BB2 L 2
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 159 and 228
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Red drum are dependent on esturaies for at least the first few years of
life. Larvae and juveniles are generally found in shallow waters, in areas
not greatly affected by tides, with grassy or muddy bottoms and moderate
salinities. Red drum abundance varies directly with estuarine size.*159*
Red drum spawn along the beaches in the vicinity of inlets and passes.
Eggs are carried shoreward by tidal currents. When hatched, the larval
fish move to estuaries and sea grass areas. Juvenile and immature red drum
live in estuaries and bays for two to four years. The larger fish then
move out to nearshore ocean waters and the cycle is repeated. Since 1940,
many of the habitats in Florida's bays and estuaries have deteriorated,
possibly contributing to the decline of redfish stocks.*228*
ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Several organisms are known to parasitize red drum possibly as a consequence
of the diverse foods consumed. Known parasites include: Sporozoans,
Trematodes, Cestodes, Copepods, and Isopods. Barnacles are known to attach
to the flanks of red drum.*252*
REFERENCES FOR SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS - 252
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 100
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Osteichthyes Not Specified
General Crustaceans Not Specified
Juvenile Copepods Not Specified
Adult Echinoderms Not Specified
Adult Sea Cucumbers Not Specified
Important Copepods Not Specified
Important Crustaceans Not Specified
Important Fish Not Specified
REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 100 and 75
REFERENCES FOR IMPORTANT FOOD - 252
REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 100 and 75
REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE FOOD - 100 and 75
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
Red drum are major predators in estuaries.*75* Crustaceans (crabs and
shrimp) and fishes are most important in the diet of red drum in the Gulf of
Mexico and on the Atlantic Coast. Changes of food habits with size have
been noted. Dietary items indicate that red drum feed over sandy to muddy
bottoms from both shallow and moderately deep water. Grassbeds are also an
important feeding area for preadult red drum. *100*
COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD -
Adult red drum feed primarily on fish, shrimp, and crabs. Fish are most
important in the winter and spring, while crabs and shrimp are important in
the summer and fall.*75* Although crustaceans as a group exceed fish in
frequency of occurence and per cent volume, fish are consumed more
frequently, in greater numbers, and in greater volume than shrimp or crabs
alone. Plant and substrate material that occurs in stomach contents is
probably taken incidentally during feeding activities. Fish are generally
more prevalent in the diet of red drum during winter and spring months,
Brevoortia sp. being a favorite. Crustaceans become increasingly more
important during late spring and by summer are the main staple and continue
as such until late fall. Shrimp appear more frequently in the spring,
summer and fall. Crabs are more frequent than shrimp only in the
winter.*252*
COMMENTS ON JUVENILE FOOD -
One study reported that fish <15 mm SL fed primarily on zooplankton, fish
15-75mm SL fed mostly on small bottom invertebrates and young of other fish,
and fish > 75 mm SL ate decapods (crabs and shrimp) and fishes.*100*
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
Fish play a substantial role in the diet of juveniles greater than or equal
to 15 mm TL, but were most abundant in juveniles > 90 mm TL. Juveniles
20-29 mm TL began eating other sciaenids, usually Leiostomus xanthurus and
some Micropogon undulatus.*252*
COMMENTS ON LARVAE FOOD -
Larvae up to 9 mm TL subsist on copepods and their nauplii that range from
0.4-1.5 mm TL. The calanoid Acartia sp. occur most frequently, but species
of cyclopoids, harpacticoids, and calagoids are also found. Although they
appear in juveniles 10-39 mm TL, copepods cease to be important in volume
by 10-19 mm TL. Mysid shrimp, particularly Mysidopsis almyra, appear from
10-169 mm TL, but are most important in small juveniles 10-49 mm, TL
consituting 70-100% of their diet.*252*
Food Habits - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Water Temperature: Greater than 27 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Between 21-27 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Between 15-21 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Below 15 degrees C
G
G
G
G
LIM Dissolved Oxygen: Specified in Comments
G Substrate: Specified in Comments
L Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 75 and 228
REFERENCES FOR LIMITING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 75
REFERENCES FOR FEEDING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 100
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
Migration, spawning, and growth of red drum are affected by water
temperature and salinity.*75*
Temperature:
Red drum have been collected over a temperature range of 2-33 degrees C,
although they usually move into deeper water at the extremes. Juveniles
and adults are more susceptible to the effects of winter cold waves than
are smaller fish.*100* Juvenile red drum movement out of the estuaries
appears to be triggered by the decrease in fall temperatures. When bays
and inlets warm in spring, the fish migrate from the Gulf of Mexico into
the bays. While red drum tolerate a wide temperature range, sudden freezes
cause mass mortalities. Laboratory studies have found the best conditions
for hatching and 24-h survival of larval red drum to be 25 degrees C and
30 ppt (salinity).*75*
Salinity:
Red drum are euryhaline, having been reported from fresh water to
salinities of 50 ppt on the Gulf Coast. The optimum salinity range has
been reported as 20-40ppt. A direct relationship has been suggested
between size and salinity, with juveniles more common at low salinities
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
and large fish preferring higher salinities.*100*
Dissolved Oxygen:
While there is little information on the oxygen requirements of red drum,
low oxygen in lower Laguna Madre, Texas, is known to have caused a fish
kill that included red drum.*75*
Substrate:
Small red drum (5-7mm) that are carried into primary bays from the Gulf of
Mexico move into seagrass. The primary factor in influencing the abundance
of small (6 to 27 mm) red drum in seagrass meadows in Florida was the edge
effect. More red drum were found at the edges of seagrass meadows than in
the seagrass meadows themselves. Seagrass provided habitat for food, and
protection from predators.
Contaminants:
Red drum were included in a survey of trace elements in fishery resources.
Muscle and liver tissue from red drum from the North and South Atlantic and
Gulf of Mexico were analyzed for the occurrence of 15 elements. No
interpretative comments were provided. Trace metal poisoning was indicated
as the possible cause of death of a group of approximately 100 large (7-18
kg) red drum in the Indian River System, Florida between June 14 and July
2, 1980. High levels of copper, zinc, arsenic, chromium, cadium, and
mercury were found in the liver and/or gills, and lesions in the gills
resembled those from fish subjected to experimental copper poisoning.
The effects of oil on red drum eggs and larvae from an oil spill
which reached the south Texas coast were investigated. High
larval mortality resulted when larvae were placed in mixtures of oil and
water. When eggs were placed in oil-contaminated water from Port Aransas
jetties, over half of the hatched larvae had skeletal anomalies.*100*
COMMENTS ON RESTING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
In Louisiana estuaries, post-larval and juvenile red drum are collected
at low tide over sand and mud bottoms. At high tide they move into small
cordgrass wetlands.*75*
COMMENTS ON FEEDING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Juvenile red drum movement out of the estuaries appears to be triggered
by the decrease in fall temperatures. When bays and inlets warm in
spring, the fish migrate from the Gulf of Mexico into the bays.*100*
COMMENTS ON RESTING LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Temperature is a substantial factor in 2 week survival of larvae,
and growth of larvae is faster at 25 to 30 degrees C than at
20 degrees C.*75*
The effects of oil on red drum eggs and larvae from an oil spill
which reached the south Texas coast were investigated. High
larval mortality resulted when larvae were placed in mixtures of oil and
water. When eggs were placed in oil-contaminated water from Port Aransas
jetties, over half of the hatched larvae had skeletal anomalies.*100*
COMMENTS ON EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Red drum eggs floated in salinities near 25 ppt and greater, but sank in
Environment Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
lower salinities. This factor may influence egg survival, since eggs that
sink to the bottom may become covered with silt and die.*75*
Environment Associations - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
Morphology and Identification aids:
The red drum has 11 spines on the dorsal fin (the 11th is separate from the
first 10), and 23-25 soft rays. The anal fin has two spines and 8-9 soft
rays. The number of scales in the lateral line, which extends to the
posterior margin of the caudal fin, ranges from 45 to 50. Gill rakers,
rather short and slender, number 5-6 above and 7-8 below on the first gill
arch.
General body color in young red drum is silvery; older fish become coppery
brown or reddish. The species is characterized by one (sometimes more)
large black spot near the base of the caudal fin above the lateral line.*75*
Spawning:
Red drum spawn in late summer and fall. During this period they migrate out
of estuaries and lagoons and move into deeper water near the mouths of bays
and inlets where they spawn. Spawning also takes place on the gulf side of
the barrier islands in the Mississippi Sound.*75* Mode of fertilization is
by extenally broadcast of sexual products.*252* Onset and duration vary
with photoperiod, water temperature, and possibly other factors, but
typically lasts from late summer through early winter, usually beginning in
September and ending in early January, with peaks in mid-September through
October and then declining. Spawning activities are initiated in early
evening or night.*252*
Eggs:
Red drum eggs are spherical and contain 1 (rarely up to 6) colorless oil
droplets. The chorion of the egg is clear and unsculptured; egg diameter
ranges from 0.80 to 0.98 mm and the perivitelline space is usually less than
2% of egg diameter; oil droplet diameters range from 0.22 to 0.36 mm.
Laboratory studies revealed that the optimum combination of temperature and
salinity for hatching and larval survival was 25 degrees and 30 ppt. Higher
temperatures and lower salinities usually decreased hatching success. Eggs
floated at salinities of 25 ppt and higher, but sank when salinities dropped
below 20 ppt.*75* Hatching usually occurs in late summer to early winter,
peaking in September-October in the Gulf.*252*
Yolk-Sac Larvae:
Fish less than 8.0 mm SL are larvae, while those 8-15 mm SL fish are
considered transitional juveniles. Larvae are either transparent with no
pigment patterns at hatching, or have a compressed band of dendritic
melanophores on the ventral surface of the body in the yolk-sac region.*252*
The yolk-sac larvae of red drum are 4-6 mm long total length (TL). The
dorsal and ventral fin folds are continuous with the well-developed caudal
fin. The pectoral and pelvic fins are underdeveloped, and the dorsal and
anal fin rays are indistinct. Large numbers of brown chromatophores are
located along the base of the anal fin and smaller groups are at the base of
the dorsal fins.*75*
Postlarvae:
Postlarval red drum (7mm long) retain a small portion of the ventral fin
fold between the vent and anal fin. Chromatophores appear on the head and
along the body. Red drum 10 mm long are heavily pigmented; when they reach
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
25 mm long, color patterns appear. The ground color of the post-larvae is
silvery, and a row of five to seven brown blotches lies along the lateral
line. Scales and teeth are present.
Postlarvae live among seagrasses and wetlands. Patchy seagrass meadows
provide more edges for feeding and cover than do continuous meadows.*75*
Juveniles:
Juvenile red drum (15 to 300 mm long) tend to migrate from primary bays,
which open to the sea, into secondary bays which open into primary bays.
When 85 to 100 mm long, they repopulate the deeper waters of the primary
bays.*75* Above 10 mm TL, pigment rapidly appear with distinctive color
patterns at ca. 25 mm TL. Twenty to 50 dark distinct blotches present at
this point from the lateral line to the dorsal fin on each side of the
trunk. At 36 mm TL, a pronounced chromatophore enlargement at the base of
the upper caudal fin appears that results in the characteristic black
ocelli. At 42 mm TL, juveniles are morphologically identical to adults
except for a slightly more pointed caudal fin and lack of distinct ocelli.
Ocelli faintly visible at 50 mm TL and very apparent at 75 mm TL. Brown
lateral blotches enlarge with fish until 150 mm TL, and then tend to fade
and finally disappear. Growth tends to be sporatic in juveniles averaging
18.8 mm TL/mo of life. Other estimates based on Texas fishes report:
320-360 mm SL first year growth; 500 mm SL second year; 550-600 third year;
875 mm SL sixth year; 925 mm SL seventh year; 975-1000 mm SL eighth
year.*252*
Adults:
Most red drum mature at lengths of 305 to 750 mm when they are 4 to 5 years
old. In Florida, individual female red drum have produced from 20,000 to 2
million eggs per spawn. In Texas, red drum that spawned in tanks produced
an average of 1.2 million eggs per spawn.*75*
Males are presumed to mature at a smaller size than females and have been
reported from Mississippi to reach maturity at 320-395 mm. Another study
reported ripe males 500 mm SL and ripe females 550 mm SL from samples. In
Florida, a 630 mm FL ripe female was collected.*252*
Growth Characteristics:
Red drum grow fast in early life. Ages and growth rates of adult red drum
have been estimated by scales, otoliths, length frequency, and tagging.
*75*
The general growth pattern indicated by the reliable estimates is sigmoidal.
Egg diameter is 1 mm at spawning, and larvae are 2 mm at hatching and grow
0.5 mm before yolk-sac depletion. Larvae grow 0.2-0.5 mm/day, juveniles
0.7-1.7mm/day, and adults 0.5 mm/day.*100*
Migration patterns:
Red drum migrate seasonally along the Atlantic coast. Estuaries and
inshore oceanic waters are critically important to the life cycle of red
drum. Because these areas are utilized for feeding grounds by the adults
and for nursery grounds by juveniles, any major alteration of these
habitats could disrupt the life cycle of red drum.
Juvenile red drum spend the first three to four years of their life within
estuaries throughout most of their range. At the northern extreme around
Chesapeake Bay, red drum apparently move out of the estuaries into coastal
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
waters during winter. Early juvenile stages of red drum have only been
collected in estuaries, suggesting that the young fish are estuarine
dependent.*100*
Community Ecology:
Juveniles may spend the first four or five years within estuaries where
they compete with other estuarine species for food. Adult red drum occur
offshore, often under schools of blue runner and little tunny in the Gulf
of Mexico. When near shore, school of red drum often occur near black
drum, Atlantic tarpon, and pompano.*100*
LIFE HISTORY CODES -
Spawning Site: Sand
Spawning Site: Mud
Spawning Site: Aquatic Vegetation
Average Number of Offspring/Reproductive Effort: Grea
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 75 and 100
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Existing Regulating harvest of species being described
Existing Prohibiting harvest of species being described
Existing Regulating harvest - setting size limits
Existing Regulating commercial harvest gear types
Existing Regulating commercial harvest levels
Existing Mariculture activities
Beneficial Maintaining unique or special habitat features [wetlands, caves,
Beneficial Developing/maintaining/protecting wetlands
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Adverse Shoreline modification/development
Adverse Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Adverse Dredging
Existing Mariculture activities
REFERENCES FOR BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 100
REFERENCES FOR ADVERSE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 100
REFERENCES FOR EXISTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 100 and 228
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Redfish, mainly bottom feeders, are taken by a variety of baits and lures,
including crabs, lugworms, sandfleas, shrimp heads, cut fish and clams, as
well as metal squid spoons and lead-headed bucktails bounced off the bottom.
One writer noted they will take "anything that strikes their fancy" such as
minnows, squid and fiddler crabs. Casting from shore and trolling from
boats, as well as bottom fishing, are popular with the recreational
fisherman.*228*
The red drum is one of the most important sport and commercial coastal
species in the Gulf of Mexico. Authorities in the Gulf States are concerned
with the decline in the abundance of red drum. For example, Texas has
closed its coastal waters to commercial fishing for red drum and other Gulf
States are considering similar management.*75* Red drum is a highly sought
food and game fish throughout its range.*100*
Estuaries and inshore oceanic waters are critically important to the life
cycle of red drum. Because these areas are utilized for feeding grounds by
the adults and for nursery grounds by juveniles, any major alteration of
these habitats could disrupt the life cycle of red drum. Juvenile red drum
spend the first three to four years of their life within estuaries
throughout most of their range.*100*
The future condition of red drum populations along the Atlantic coast is
dependent on recruitment of larvae spawned by adult populations, adequate
estuarine habitat, and trends in fishing effort. Fishing effort is likely
to increase with the increasing coastal population and number of fishermen.
Increased fishing effort in the estuaries may increase mortality of immature
red drum and reduce the number of recruits to the adult population.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
Increased fishing effort on adult red drum may lead to recruitment
overfishing. Degradation of estuaries and loss of suitable habitat may also
lead to declines in juvenile populations. *100*
Commercial Fishing Equipment :
Red drum are harvested in a mixed species fishery by a variety of gear
types, including haul seines (common and long), fish trawls, pound nets,
gill nets (drift, anchor, set or stake, and runaround), hand lines, trammel
nets, and shrimp trawls. Purse seine catches of red drum have been reported
in the Gulf of Mexico since 1977.*100*
Areas Fished (Commercial):
Red drum are caught in both estuaries and oceanic waters along the Atlantic
coast, but the majority of the commercial catch is made in estuaries.
Juvenile red drum, which remain in or near estuaries for the greater part of
their early years, are the basis for the commercial fishery. Estuarine
areas generally receive a high level of effort with gear which catch red
drum, such as trammel nets, gill nets, haul seines, pound nets, and trot
lines. *100*
Recreational Fishing Equipment:
Red drum are caught by bottom fishing, jigging, and casting from shore, as
well as bottom fishing, casting, live-lining and trolling from boats. Baits
include soft or shedder crabs, shrimp, clams, squid, and cut mullet, spot,
herring or menhaden, as well as artificial lures such as spoons, jigs,
weighted bucktails, feathers, plugs and streamer flies. Red drum are also
harvested by gill netting and gigging for home consumption.*100*
Areas Fished (Recreational):
The recreational fishery for trophy red drum (>18 kg) which exists in the
South Atlantic has been primarily a surf fishery along the outer beaches of
barrier islands. Small red drum are caught in the estuaries from Chesapeake
Bay to Florida.*100*
Imports/Exports:
Imports of juvenile red drum from Mexico are substantial and have an impact
on Texas, Loiusiana, Oklahoma, and perhaps other markets supplied from Texas
and Louisiana landings. The decline in imports from the 1970s to the
present is due to the development of seafood markets in Mexico, new fishing
regulations in Mexico, and until recently, a declining U.S. Dollar. At
their peak, imports accounted for 25% of the total U.S. supply of red drum.
Exports of red drum from the U.S. have occurred but statistical information
is unavailable before 1981 when the National Marine Fisheries Service began
inspectiing drum exports. The red drum exported are usually adult fish
because of a market preference for large fish in the receiving countries
and because it can be marketed at relatively low prices. *100*
Gear Conflicts:
In North Carolina gear conflicts may occur between the long haul seine
fishermen and the pound net, crab and eel pot fishermen. Abandoned,
broken-off pound net stakes and pound net stakes left in place from season
to season exclude long haulers from large areas. A very large increase in
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
the number of crab and eel pot fishermen has resulted in ever increasing
friction with haul seiners, who cannot haul in areas filled with pots.
Potters are mainly interested in shoal waters, which long haulers need only
to bunt or harden up their seine.*100)
Commercial-Recreational Conflicts:
Conservationists and recreational fishermen have complained of overharvest
of fish by commercial interest prior to 1900, continuing to the present.
State legislatures have enacted various regulations which closed portions
of estuarine areas to the use of nets and seines during seasonal periods
with the intent to protect spawning fish. From the 1930s to the 1970s,
legislation was directed toward reducing commercial fishing pressure on bay
stocks by imposing size limits, opening and closing various bay and Gulf
waters, and establishing gear restrictions in relation to mesh sizes,
length of nets, and their seasonal use. Growing netting pressure and
reported declines in available stocks led to the prohibition of the use of
monofilament nets in Louisiana in 1977 and Texas in 1980. The Texas
legislature passed a bill in 1981 prohibiting the commercial sale of
Texas-caught red drum for two years. *100*
Regulatory Measures:
The fisheries for red drum have been conducted almost entirely within the
internal waters of the states and in the territorial sea which extends 5.6
km (3 n mi) offshore on the Atlantic coast. Therefore, management has been
by individual state regulation.*100*
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission administers a cooperative
agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service entitled the Interstate
Fisheries Management Program. This program provides funding to the Atlantic
coastal states to coordinate interjurisdictional fisheries management and
develop fishery management plans for species occurring in the territorial
sea.*100* A plan for red drum was adopted in 1984.*171*
1985 Red Drum Fishery Management Plan Review:
The goal of the plan is "to perpetuate the red drum resouce in fishable
abundance throughout its range and generate the greatest possible economic
and social benefits from its harvest and utilization over time".
Since the adoption of the red drum plan in 1984, there has been a greatly
increased market demand for red drum because of the "blackened redfish"
promotion by restaurants. Because of this increased demand and the
fluctuating nature of red drum landings, it is necessary to continue to
promote the goal and objectives of the plan.*171*
Stocking:
Red drum, a highly sought game and food fish, has been the target of
numerous mariculture experiments. The impact of stocking on the coastal
fishery resource will be evaluated in on-going monitoring programs.
Historically, stocking of hatchery fish into coastal waters to improve catch
has generally been a failure.*100*
Farming Potential
Techniques to induce spawning of red drum were developed at the Florida
Department of Natural Resources (FDNR) marine laboratory in the mid-1970's.
Normally a fall spawner, when days are growing shorter and the waters are
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
cooling, spawning was induced by regulating brood tank water temperature and
photoperiod (hours of light). Although successful techniques were refined,
the lack of rearing pons curtailed Florida efforts. Texas, however,
initiated a stocking program from 1975-1982. More than 56 million redfish
were released into Texas waters, but the success of enhancing the wild
stocks has yet to be evaluated.*228*
Management Practices - 4 (DRAFT) - References
Species drum, red
Species Id M010023
Date 27 AUG 96
References
159* Mercer, L. P. 1984. A Biological and Fisheries Profile of Red
Drum, Sciaenops ocellatus. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biol.
Rep. (41) pp 89.
100* Mercer, L. P. (ed.). 1984. Fishery Management Plan for the Red
Drum (Scianenops ocellatus) Fishery. Mercer, L. P. (ed.) (44).
North Carolina Department of Natural Resources Morehead
City pp 107.
75* Reagan, R. E. 1985. Species Profiles: Life Histories and
Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates
(Gulf of Mexico) -- Red Drum. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Biol. Rep. 82(11.36) pp 16.
171* Street, Mike (ed.), Eric Smith, Joseph McGurrin, Paul Perra.
1988. Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission: Fisheries
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