ANIMAL FISHING PROGRAMS

FINFISH PROGRAM

Harry Blanchet, Finfish Program Manager                                        Back
Phone: 225-765-2889
Fax: 225-765-2489

  The primary objective of the finfish program is to
  develop and maintain a database of scientific
  information that can be used to make rational
  recommendations for the management of coastal
  finfish stocks.

  Monitoring
  A comprehensive monitoring program was developed in 1985 to protect or enhance these valuable resources by providing information regarding the status of fish stocks that occur in the coastal waters of Louisiana at some time during their life cycle. Three gear types are used coastwide to sample various year classes of estuarine dependent fish.

A bag seine is used to sample young of the year and provide information on growth and movement. The seine is 50' in length, 6' in depth and has a 6'x 6' bag as an integral part of and midway the length of the net. The mesh size for this seine is ¼" bar, mesh. A gill net is used to sample juvenile, sub-adult and adult fish and provide information on relative abundance, year class strength, movement and gonadal condition. The gill net is 750' in length, 8' in depth and constructed of monofilament. The net is composed of 5 panels each, of the following mesh sizes: 150'x8', 1" bar, 1 ¼" bar, 1 ½" bar, 1 ¾" bar, 2" bar.

A trammel net is used to provide information on relative abundance, standing crop and movement. The trammel net is 750' in length, 6' in depth and constructed of nylon. The entire net has a 2:1 sag, and the mesh sizes are as follows: inner wall - 1 5/8" bar, 3 5/8" stretched, number 6 twine; outer wall -6" bar, 12" stretched, number 9 twine.

  Gill net samples are taken semi-monthly from April
  through September, and monthly from October
  through March; trammel net samples are taken
  monthly from October through March, and seine
  samples are taken monthly from January through
  August, and semi-monthly from September through
  December. Hydrological readings (conductivity,
  salinity, and water temperature) are taken each time
  a biological sample is taken. Also, wind direction and
  speed are taken each time a biological sample is
  taken. Samples are taken at specific locations
  arranged in such a manner so as to cover the beach, mid-marsh and upper marsh areas of all major bay systems throughout coastal Louisiana. The catch and hydrological information is summarized for each coastal area on a monthly basis to give the resource managers information as to the current condition of the resource. The pertinent life history information for the important species is also used in developing analytical and predictive models.

COASTAL FINFISH

Spotted Seatrout
Sand Seatrout
Red Drum
Black Drum
Atlantic Croaker
Sheepshead
Southern Flounder
Sriped Mullet
Florida Pompano & Permit
Kingfish
Sea Catfish
King & Spanish Mackerel
Cobia
Tarpon and Ladyfish
Amberjack, Greater Amberjack, Lesser Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and Banded Rudderfish
Red Snapper, Gray Snapper, and Mutton Snapper
Vermillion Snapper, Lane Snapper, and Yellowtail Snapper
Gag Grouper, Nassau Grouper, and Goliath Grouper
Red Grouper, Black Grouper, and Yellowfin Grouper
Little Tunny & Atlantic Bonito
Yellowfin Tuna, Blackfin Tuna, and Bigeye Tuna
White Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, and Swordfish
Bluefish and Tripletail
Warsaw Grouper and Speckled Hind