Spatial Variability in Size Structure, Growth, and Recruitment of Spotted Seatrout among Six Florida Estuaries

Abstract

Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus in Florida, USA, are managed under four geographical regions, including Apalachicola Bay and Cedar Key (northwest region), Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor (southwest region), northeast Florida (northeast region), and the northern Indian River Lagoon (southeast region). Two of these management regions are composed of more than one major estuary system (northwest and southwest regions). However, previous life history research suggests that the management regions do not accurately reflect the unique biological populations of Spotted Seatrout in Florida. Our objective was to determine (1) whether there is significant spatial variation in size structure, the age–length relationship, and recruitment patterns among populations of Spotted Seatrout in Florida; and (2) whether there is agreement in these life history parameters among estuary populations comprising individual management regions. We used long‐term fishery‐independent and fishery‐dependent data sets on recruitment, age, and size structure among six estuaries and the four management regions. Young‐of‐the‐year recruitment patterns and the length‐at‐age relationship over all ages differed significantly among estuarine populations and within management regions. Additionally, all estuaries differed significantly in length distributions of Spotted Seatrout caught by the recreational fishery. Our results highlight the need to understand the relative contributions of estuary‐specific data to regional assessment models if the four‐region boundary scheme for Florida is continued. Moreover, as variation in growth and recruitment among estuaries likely reflects estuary‐specific environmental conditions, we suggest that environmental variables be considered in future assessments and management of this recreationally valuable species.

A Synthesis of Deepwater Horizon Impacts on Coastal and Nearshore Living Marine Resources

“…Spotted Seatrout usually account for the highest recreational harvest annually in the northern GoM, and Red Drum (aka Redfish) are highly prized by anglers (Perret et al, 1980;VanderKooy, 2001; Supplementary Figures 6, 7). State fishing regulations and degree of management control vary widely for the two species, which contributes to their variable population status as managed entities (Murphy and Crabtree, 2001;Herdter et al, 2019). Although both species are members of the family Sciaenidae (i.e., drums and croakers), Spotted Seatrout and Red Drum differ in the essentials of their life history and exhibit some degree of estuarine habitat partitioning (Wakeman and Ramsey, 1985;Moulton et al, 2017).…”

“…Spotted Seatrout can live up to ages 8-9, but the majority of animals in catches are age 4 and younger (Nieland et al, 2002; (Wilson and Nieland, 1994). Sexual maturity of females is essentially complete by age 1 in Spotted Seatrout (Nieland et al, 2002;Herdter et al, 2019) but not until age 6 or greater in Red Drum (Wilson and Nieland, 1994). Spawning seasons also differ between the species, with Spotted Seatrout primarily spawning from May to August (Helser et al, 1993) with peaks varying across the GoM (Brown- Peterson et al, 2002).…”

“…The abundance of Spotted Seatrout and Red Drum has been tracked in gill net-based fishery-independent sampling for several decades (Figure 14). Spotted Seatrout have been in long-term decline throughout the northern GoM (Figure 14; Herdter et al, 2019), likely due to intensive fishing and habitat degradation. Red Drum were subject to a commercial moratorium beginning in 1988 in EEZ waters (i.e., during their late summer-autumn spawning season and post-spawning dispersal) and abundance off Louisiana and Alabama has increased since about 2005 (Figure 14).…”

Environmental Factors and Stock Abundance Influence Year‐Class Strength of Spotted Seatrout at Cedar Key, Florida

“…2003), and thus year‐class strength is influenced by localized conditions (Kupschus 2004; Herdter et al. 2019). Precipitation patterns and resulting changes in the amount of freshwater flow into estuaries can change estuarine salinity and prey availability for juvenile fish, including Spotted Seatrout (Purtlebaugh and Allen 2010; Whaley et al.…”

Spatiotemporal Variability of Fishery‐Dependent Indices for the Declining Louisiana Southern Flounder Fishery

“…Fishery-dependent data can also be used to elucidate drivers of fish population fluctuations by evaluating the relationships observed between fishery effort, landings, and stock abundance (Askey and Johnston 2013;van Poorten et al 2016;Dassow et al 2020;Feiner et al 2020). Composition information (e.g., size, age, and sex) collected directly from the fishery is also frequently applied to characterize how fish populations and landings within specific regions are structured (Ajemian et al 2016;Bada-Sánchez et al 2019;Herdter et al 2019). Nevertheless, fishery-dependent data remain underutilized in the management of many fisheries, particularly those for which substantial fisheryindependent data exist.…”