Abstract

I examined records of landings of mutton snapper, Lutjamus analis, and greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili, from southeast Florida to determine if limited spawning season closures were effective in reducing harvest. Data were divided into two time strata, a pre-closure period (1982 1991), and a regulated-by-closure period (1992 1996). I compared mean annual and mean monthly landings between periods. Headboat landings of mutton snapper were not significantly lowered by the enactment of regulations limiting harvest in May and June to the recreational bag limit. Commercial landings in May were significantly lower in May in the closure period, but June closure landings were slightly higher than the pre-closure period. Closure period July landings were significantly higher than in the pre-closure period. Trends in headboat CPUE mimic trends in effort. Headboat landings of greater amberjack were significantly greater in April (closed month), May and June in the pre-closure period than in the closure period. Commercial landings of greater amberjack were significantly lower in April in the closure period, while March landings were significantly greater and May landings were slightly greater than in the pre-closure period. Mean annual landings of both species were not significantly different between periods. The management action effectively reduced commercial fishing pressure on both species during the designated closed months. Annual harvest levels were not reduced, possibly due to increased landings in months adjacent to the closed months. Headboat landings, not expected to be affected by the regulations, were significantly lowered for greater amberjack but not for mutton snapper.

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