Cooperative long-line sampling of the west coast of Florida shelf shallow water grouper complex: characterization of life history, undersized bycatch and targeted habitat.

Abstract

The objectives of this project are to collect biological samples (otoliths and gonads) from the target species (red grouper, gag, and scamp) to determine ages of fish in the fishery and gonads to assess reproductive condition and fecundity; to collect swim bladder samples from target species caught on long-lines and by commercial fish traps fished at various depths to compare with previously collected swim bladders from fish caught on hook-and-line; to collect bycatch information collected during long-line fishing trips for the target species; to obtain catch and release mortality rates relative to depth and gear for red grouper, gag, and scamp; to obtain movement and migration patterns for the target species in the eastern Gulf of Mexico; and to characterize essential fish habitat for red grouper from the southwest Florida shelf where commercial red grouper fishing occurs.