Abstract

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) is a coastal marine fish that is common throughout the Gulf of Mexico (Jennings 1985). It is a valuable component of inshore recreational fisheries in most regions within the Gulf, including the coastal areas of South Texas (NMFS 2006). However, there is a dearth of detailed information on their reproductive dynamics and the importance of their spawning aggregations to regional fisheries, despite the importance of such infor-mation for assessing the status of the fishery. Sheepshead aggregate to spawn in the late winter and early spring around jetties, channel passes, and reefs (Jennings 1985). In Port Aransas, Texas, the jetties that surround the Aransas Ship Channel represent a popular location for recreational fishing of Sheepshead. Our study investigated temporal patterns of Sheepshead spawning and coincident fishing activities at this location. Our specific objectives were to: i) Characterize the spawning season and estimate spawning periodicity and frequency, ii) Characterize the size and age distribution of the fishery, and iii) Combine these data with landings data to conduct a data-poor assessment of the fishery and understand the importance of the spawning season to the recreational fishery.

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